Use of Survey Data to Evaluate Teaching: A Comparison of Self and Peer Evaluations of Teaching

Abstract

Survey is one of the most widely used methods of investigation into educational systems and practices. While the results from surveys might give insight into what goes on in the educational system, important questions arise: how reliable are the results of surveys in evaluating educational systems and practices? And can the results be used to take high-stakes decisions about teaching and learning? This study examines the reliability of surveys in evaluating teaching by comparing the degree of agreement between mathematics teachers’ self-evaluation of their teaching and their peers’ evaluation of it. A sample of 31 grade 11 mathematics teachers took part in the study. The result shows that teachers’ self-evaluations of their teaching generally did not agree significantly with their peers’ evaluations. This finding suggests caution in the use of self and peer evaluations in taking high-stakes decisions on teaching and learning.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n9p370