Student evaluation of teaching effectiveness: an unresolved dilemma

Content analysis techniques were used to analyse the criteria used for student evaluation of teaching effectiveness in college and university home economics programmes. Student evaluation forms were obtained from 29 state institutions representing 21 states. The evaluation forms varied in length from seven to 36 objective items. Most provided for flexibility. including such options as add-on items, open-ended response format, and choice of forms. The evaluation criteria fell into six categories: course organization and content, course requirements, evaluation procedures, student participation, teaching skills, and global value of course. All of the institutions included items related to teaching skills. This was also the most heavily weighted factor, accounting for nearly 40% of the total evaluation. This is a significant finding, given that many college and university faculty have limited opportunities to develop teaching skills prior to beginning an academic career. Home economics administrators might use the results of the study to design faculty development programmes to help both novice and experienced faculty acquire or improve the skills on which they are being evaluated.     

The Take‐Up of Multiple Means‐Tested Benefits by British Pensioners: Evidence from the Family Resources Survey

Non‐take‐up of means‐tested benefits among pensioners is of long‐standing concern. It has assumed increased importance from October 2003 with the introduction of the new means‐tested pension credit to which about half of pensioners are expected to be entitled. We use Family Resources Survey data from April 1997 to March 2000 to investigate patterns of pensioner take‐up of income support (IS) (subsequently renamed the minimum income guarantee and now subsumed in pension credit), housing benefit (HB) and council tax benefit (CTB). Although 36 per cent of pensioners in our sample failed to claim their entitlements to at least one of these benefits, only 16 per cent failed to claim amounts worth more than 10 per cent of their disposable income. Generally, take‐up is high where entitlement is high. But there are exceptions which may reflect the claims process and/or a greater degree of social stigma associated with IS than with HB or CTB.     

ENTENSITY OF FAMILY DISAGREEMENT OVER FINANCES AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS*

Results from survey research using regression techniques indicate that disagreement over family finances for men was a function of management practices (negative), years married (negative), and wife's employment, with those who had part-time employed wives reporting more disagreement than those with non-employed wives. Disagreement over family finances for women was a function of frequency of communication (negative), perceived future financial security (negative), and wife's employment, with full-time employed wives reporting less disagreement over finances than non-employed wives. Since the stress and reduced maximization of resources implied by the high percentage of families reporting intense disagreement over finances ultimately affect their well-being, it is imperative that the skills of financial management and communication be developed through counselling and education.     

CONSUMER KNOWLEDGE,RIGHTS AND BEHAVIOUR OF COMMUNITY CONSUMER LEADERS

Research has indicated that the attitudes of teachers are often reflected in their students.¹ If so, then what are the attitudes that potential community consumer educators may pass on to the people in their localities? Is there a relationship between their knowledge of consumer rights and responsibilities, and their opinions and behaviours? The knowledge, opinions and behaviours concerning consumer rights and responsibilities of community consumer educators may be reflected in their effectiveness in conducting community programs. Are they knowledgeable of their consumer rights and responsibilities? Do their own reported marketplace behaviours support their attitudes, or are they different? This study was designed to seek answers to these and related questions.²