Should Students be Able to Grade Their Teachers?

Should Students Be Able To Grade Their Teachers?

By Charlotte Powley

Everyone has had a hard time with a teacher before. Teachers have had trouble with trying to connect with their students before. So many students struggle each year with trying to understand the criteria both outside and inside the classroom. The availability of retaking tests is available, as well as getting better resources. There are so many more ways teenagers can get a better understanding of what is expected. That leaves us with the big possibility: should students have the ability to grade their teachers? And if so, how could this be done?

There are a couple websites that you can find by easily typing “grade my teacher” into Google. Right then and there are hundreds of thousands of websites where you can find your school district and lists of current or retired teachers. For example, one popular site that has been recommended is ratemyteacher.com.  There are not many reviews that have been left, but these comments are still appreciated by students and teachers, whether they are looking for positive feedback or criticism.  Responses about your teacher are optional to be left anonymous.  The content the commenter is leaving may have many benefits, and should be encouraged as long as it has the purpose of making experiences for the whole school community.

Aside from websites like ratemyteacher.com, some teachers request feedback from their current students.  For example, towards the end of each quarter, some students are very fortunate to have teachers who allow students to be honest and tell them if there is anything missing in the classroom environment. For example, students might share activities, lessons or teaching strategies they want to see more of, including more study time, or multiple check-ins. Having constructive coriticism for teachers—and the school as a whole—to focus on can preview a better learning experience that is achievable. Constructing websites where we can share our thoughts could be the new normal. Different competencies that teachers could be “graded” on might include their ability to connect with students, and if they are checking in with the people who have a hard time advocating for themselves. 

Whether students should have the ability to grade their teachers has been circling a lot of students’ minds after our recent school year where we had fully virtual and hybrid options. It was a time where both students and teachers were having a hard time with the learning conditions. If there was an option available to give our teachers full feedback, it would have improved our learning habits. 

In the past week, I asked around 15 of my peers if students should have the ability to assess their teachers, and every single one of them have replied with a simple “Yes” or “Definitely.” Not a single one of them hesitated or had any feedback that was against the idea. Asking students to provide feedback about their teachers could help students exercise their voices.

 Learning how to grasp what is going on in and out of the classroom is a great skill that is practiced everyday, and giving regular feedback helps engage confidence. Students do struggle with learning material everyday, and one simple way that we can simply enhance students’ experiences is to give constructive feedback to teachers, which can help us thrive and grow as a school community.