Based on an analysis of more than 343,000 faculty evaluation forms collected from USM students over a 14-year period, students have found USM faculty to be enthusiastic, well-prepared teachers who show respect for students' questions and opinions.
Those are among the findings in a new study of the form, which asks students to evaluate their courses and faculty. The form is used in a majority of the courses offered in five USM colleges and schools. Lewiston-Auburn College uses a locally developed form, but results from the LAC survey show that LAC students also give high ratings to their courses and faculty.
The latest findings are part of an update of a report released in September of 1996 which covered faculty evaluations from the spring of 1984 up to and including the fall of 1995. The newly updated report covers that period, plus the spring of 1996 through the fall of 1998. The entire report was prepared by Judith Johnson, director of USM's Testing and Assessment Center.
A total of 343,601 evaluation forms, which include more than 30 questions on faculty performance and course content, were analyzed. The students' overall ratings of their courses and faculty have been consistently positive and, in fact, have improved over the periods studied.
The ratings indicate that faculty present ideas in a clear manner and care about the quality of their teaching. With respect to the courses, students' ratings reflect that classes are worth attending and that the course materials are interesting.
"These latest findings are a tribute to our faculty," said President Richard Pattenaude, "and are indicative of their longstanding commitment to quality teaching, scholarship and student success."
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