Comparing Student and Instructor Evaluations of Teaching

Most economics departments use end-of-term student evaluations of teaching, but the relationship between instructors’ assessments of their own teaching and their students’assessments is unknown. The background survey for the nationally normed Test of Understanding in College Economics asked students and instructors to evaluate the instructor on five identical items. Using these data, the authors found that for instructors who speak English as their native language, speaking ability and enthusiasm are closely linked to self-ratings of teaching effectiveness. Students also value these traits but care more about instructors’ preparation for class. Grading rigor is more important to students of instructors who speak English as a second language.