360 Degree Performance Reviews
Claude Oppenheim, Ph.D., President
The idea behind 360 degree performance reviews is that feedback is gathered from colleagues and supervisees as well as from managers. This allows the employee to learn how his or her performance is viewed by a more representative group of those he or she interacts with and impacts than merely the “boss”. This feedback is so much more comprehensive, and enables the employee to gat a much more complete understanding of others’ perceptions.
This type of comprehensive evaluation is not the normal practice for teachers in k-12 settings, although it is in post grade 12 settings, where students routinely evaluate their instructors. I believe that K-12 teacher evaluation would be much improved by the formal inclusions of evaluation by students and also by colleagues.
Students know better than anyone how they experience a teacher’s class. Is it a constructive and interesting experience, or dull and even humiliating? Is the work load and marking fair? Do students feel that they are being helped to learn?
Colleagues know whether a fellow-staff member contributes to a pleasant, productive and collegial work-place climate, or makes the staff room and school and unpleasant place to be.
Performance reviews are in part communication tools, providing the employee with important information about how he or she is perceived by all concerned, and what might need to be changed. Comprehensive 360 degree reviews accomplish this much better than information which flows from the supervisor alone.
Oppenheim Education and Management Consulting offers consulting and training on governance, leadership, administration, and program and performance evaluation. |