How to Improve Student Ratings in Legal Writing Courses: Views from the Trenches

Abstract:     
This article reports a study about student ratings of professors (sometimes called "student evaluations of teaching"). Survey respondents were teachers of legal writing in U.S. law schools. Their advice about improving teaching included being prepared for class, respecting the students, and caring about the students. Advice tailored specifically to the student ratings included being "upbeat," not giving grades before the students complete the evaluation forms, and laying groundwork before presenting unpopular topics.

The article also includes references to biases and negative effects of student ratings.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 12

Keywords: Student ratings, student evaluations, law school, bias, negative effects, teaching, professor, instructor, law student, legal writing, grades, preparation for class, respect students, unpopular topics

JEL Classification: I20, J44, K10

Accepted Paper Series