Students recognize effective teaching when they experience it, and they spend more time observing their teachers than anyone else. But only a handful of states and districts use student surveys in educator evaluations, mostly because of opposition from teachers and unions. In this brief we explain how state and district leaders can make the case for using student surveys, marshal teacher support and overcome obstacles to implementation. We offer four main recommendations: (1) Make the case for student surveys; (2) build teacher support; (3) avoid unintended consequences; and (4) survey the right students. For each recommendation, we include specific strategies and resources that states and districts can use.
We developed this brief with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as part of a series focused on teacher effectiveness titled Evaluation & Support: Strategies for Success. The series includes an introduction and six briefs providing district and state leaders with practical advice for implementing high-quality evaluation systems.
