Argumentative Essay-Should Students Be Allowed to Grade Their Teachers?

 

Students deserve the power to improve their education without being restricted and affected by their teachers. Allowing students a place in evaluating a teacher gives them a voice in their education and helps nurture a growing learning environment. Grading teachers will help them improve and adjust their teaching methods. Students should be allowed to grade teachers since it promotes better communication, stronger teaching quality, and enhanced classroom experience.

Student's evaluation of teachers helps promote strong communication and transparency in education. When students evaluate teachers, there is a chance they learn better communication and openness within education. According to studies by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, student feedback enables teachers to understand their weaknesses and work on them to achieve better classroom engagement. "... point all teachers to the areas where they need to become more effective teachers themselves." (Atkinson et al. 5). Teachers who receive feedback directly from students are much more likely to change their methods, which will then benefit their learning practices and techniques. In Pittsburgh Public Schools, including student feedback in teacher evaluations resulted in measurable enhancements in classroom interactions and teaching methods. (2019)

Student evaluations enhance the student-teacher relationship by promoting mutual respect and understanding. Student grading may open the door to appreciation and consideration between them and their teachers. Research by Robert Marzano shows that teacher evaluation models enhance strategies and help teachers adapt to standards. These models are known to significantly improve teacher performance, leading to better student outcomes (Learning Sciences International 2017). When students feel their voices are heard, they become more engaged, motivated, and collaborative in the classroom and learning environment. Constructive student feedback is essential for teachers to improve their teaching practices. When teachers receive regular, thoughtful feedback, they can adjust their methods, better meet students' needs, and enhance their classroom effectiveness (Al-Hattami 2019).

Incorporating student evaluations promotes development for teachers. Student evaluations possibly promote development for their teachers. A report in The Journal of Effective Teaching highlights that incorporating students' evaluations helps teachers identify strengths and weaknesses, as their teaching practices will be better aligned with learners' needs(2015). Student feedback provides unique, everyday insights that administrators cannot observe, giving teachers actionable strategies for improvement. Student feedback enhances teacher development and helps create a more communicative school culture. "Send a strong signal to students that they care about their point of view, while also creating opportunities to model how to productively receive and respond to feedback [said] researcher Carly Robinson" (Shafer 2017)

In conclusion, student evaluations enhance accountability while fostering collaboration and improving teaching quality. Schools should update their evaluation systems to ensure students can collaborate and impact the grading process. Involving students in the evaluation process empowers them by building a sense of responsibility and helping them grow as active participants in their education.