Faculty Senate Resolution #93-44
Approved by the Chancellor:  February 8, 1994                                                  

PEER REVIEW PROCEDURES

Peer Review Procedures with the following caveats:

1)         that the instrument and procedures be used to assess and improve teaching;

2)         that all observers be trained to evaluate teaching through special sessions to
            be designed and implemented later;

3)         that the Chancellor appoint a committee of no fewer than three members to
            do a three year validation study on this instrument, the results of which may
            necessitate additions and/or deletions in the procedures and/or instrument; and

4)         that departments have the option of selecting other instruments and procedures
            which would be approved by the appropriate vice chancellor.

Further, in accordance with the spirit of multiple evaluation procedures, the professor is recommended
to supplement the results of the observations with any additional appropriate evidence of effective
teaching such as portfolios, student evaluations, etc.

TRAINING OUTLINE

     I.          Observation/Documentation
                 A.        Clarification of categories and items.
                 B.        Methods of documenting what is observed.
                C.        Practice documentation.
                 D.        Analysis of observed/documented behaviors.

   II.          Conferences
                 A.        Pre-conference.
                            1.  Interview guide         
                           2.  Scheduling
                 B.        Post-conference.
                            1.   Interview guide
                            2.  Giving and receiving feedback
                 C.        Faculty Development Plan.

   III.         Procedures for Observation

PROCEDURES FOR PEER OBSERVATION

I.          Two observers per observation.

            A.        One trained observer to be selected by the professor's department
                       chair and/or personnel committee.
            B.        One trained observer selected by the professor.

II.          Selection of trained observers.
            All tenured faculty in a department shall have the opportunity to be trained.

NOTES:        1. All observers must complete training.
                      2. The most suitable observers are faculty who are attentive to details, highly
organized, and active listeners.
3.  Where possible the observers shall come from the department/discipline
of the faculty member being observed.

III.         Observation cycle (minimum).
            A.        During the professor's first year -- two observations with feedback.
            B.        During the professor's fourth year -- two observations with feedback.

IV.        Observation procedures.
            A.        Pre-observation conference (observers and professor).
1.         Professor provides observers with copies of handouts and a list of materials
to be used during class plus a current syllabus and any other pertinent information.                       
2.        Observer selected by professor provides a self-evaluation form to professor.

            B.        Schedule and course selection.
                        1.         Professor chooses the classes to be observed.
                        2.         Observers coordinate a date/time for the observation.

            C.        Post-observation conference (within 5 working days of observation with both observers).
                        1.         Go over observation and self-evaluation.
                        2.         Discuss strengths, any needs for improvements, and search for strategies to improve.
                        3.         Write a Faculty Development Plan.

Link to the Revised Peer Review Instrument to include Review of Distance Education Courses.