There are large and powerful blocs in favor of using SET data unwisely:
Dante's Inferno condemned to the darkest, most horrific circle of hell those who could--but wouldn't--raise their voices against oppression. Even though SETs have become a "sacred cow," the largest sin is to do nothing about invalid data from SETs. "You pay your fees, you get your B's" mentality of administrators must be reversed.
Higher education is in the rut of allowing students to fire professors through SET information. A rut is merely a grave with the ends kicked out. If we don’t get out of this SET rut, higher education will wind up in a grave.
Student evaluations of teachers (SET) scores are somewhat like the phrase “mare’s nest.” There was a mare lying down at the edge of a field of pumpkins. An observer walked by and exclaimed, “me find a mare’s nest.” Administrators observe SET scores and exclaim “me find an excellent teacher.”
In the 16th century an Englishman, Sir Peter Neal, discovered an elephant on the moon through his telescope. This discovery caused worldwide excitement, but no one else could find the elephant on the moon. Soon someone found a fly in Neal’s telescope. Well, SET data does not show us elephants (i.e., good teachers) because there’s a fly in the telescope. SET results are an illusionary surrogate for measuring learning by students.
The data provided by student evaluations under controlled circumstances may provide a reasonable and responsible basis for improving teaching. But this same data can be perverted and distorted by professors and administrators, so that we often paint fakes for control purposes. Simmons (1995) asks “why give [SET scores] the accouterments of technological prestige and validity?” But administrators are going to the trouble of computer profiles that are then considered “objective.” SET data establishes a pseudo-scientific facade based on those “scientific conclusions” Simmons, T. (1995, March 2) JALTCALL 557. Available: Email: majordomo@clc.hyp GET JALTCALL 557.
If SETs are not eliminated, a system of accountability based primarily on student performances must be adopted. State or nationwide examinations must be given to students before they can graduate from colleges and/or universities. An exam patterned after the Texas TAAS test for high school students is needed for higher education.
Society for A Return to Academic Standards
Last Updated: 30 April 1997
