Piece by Piece: Evaluating with PIE

Many Exonians question the true benefit of Student Council (StuCo). The most often heard criticism is that StuCo gets very little done and wastes the time it takes out of Tuesday nights. But with the recent faculty approval of the Post Instructional Evaluation (PIE), StuCo has proved in a concrete way that it is a medium for meaningful, long-lasting change in the Exeter community.PIE was introduced last year in StuCo as a way to evaluate teachers at the end of a term without fear of the review affecting students’ grades. Unlike the standard METIC, which is often overlooked by some faculty, PIE is required, and students’ responses are sent to department heads. Because of this, the heads can meet with instructors on any pressing issues that students have outlined in their PIE. Almost all faculty at Exeter are here because they love improving the education of youth and will usually heed the advice of METICs; but some do not take into account what students have to say. The METIC, thus, loses it’s value. If department heads review every PIE, accountability is placed on the instructor to not only provide a way to assess their teaching but also to consider what Exonians have to say.In addition, PIE assesses aspects of classes that otherwise are not generally explored. METICs tend to delve into the class dynamic, teacher participation, material and the overall experience of a certain course. PIE, however, surveys characteristics of the teacher that seem to be more objective: are major assignments being announced a week in advance, is class let out on time, does the instructor meet the proper homework guidelines? These are issues that even the most learned, enthusiastic and well-liked instructors may sometimes forget to keep up to par on. They are small issues, of which the teacher is often unaware, which can easily be eliminated to improve future courses.PIE is filled out online, a feature that many faculty were opposed to. Some saw filling out bubbles on a computer to rate a teacher as unreasonable and impersonal. But for areas like homework time or class length, one does not need more than a scale from 1-5 to summarize instructor’s ability. In the case that an explanation is needed, or a complex issue, which requires more than a measuring system, arises, a text box below each question is provided. Thus, students can describe their problem in a more in-depth, personal way that provides insight for department heads and the instructor.After all, if one sits around in grill for a while, you will hear multiple Exonians complain about their teachers: 50 pages of reading, class getting let out 10 minutes late every day or the instructor failing to explain assignments clearly. Oddly enough, it does not seem that these criticisms are resolved. There are rules against such unfair treatment of students, but often they are overlooked, both by teachers and students. These are issues that have remained at the Academy through the years, which makes many wonder if the METIC really solves anything. PIE will offer a second, improved way of enhancing the learning experience at Exeter and will hold teachers accountable for their duties.