Wow OP, great idea!
NOT!!!

Sadly, OP, most parents do not have helpful feedback to give to teachers. Some do, of course, but the majority just don't know enough about teaching to have useful feedback to offer. Just because a parent attended school doesn't mean they know anything about teaching. Also, they aren't in the classroom every day to truly understand what goes on and what needs improving.

That said, I'm a teacher who has always had students fill out a mid year evaluation and and end year evaluation. I have carefully crafted my questions to encourage students to reflect on both what is working in class (give feedback on my teaching and curriculum) and to engage in self reflection on what they are bringing to class and what they need to improve on. While I think this can be done with any grade level, my primary teaching experience is with MS, HS, and college students.

I have found that students take giving feedback and engaging in self reflection very seriously. They like to be trusted to give their opinions. In my many years in the classroom, I have found almost every class to be spot on and fair in their feedback. Even the MS kids who, some days, would like to be anywhere else than in school.

With useful feedback from students, I change up things that need changing for the second half of the year. An added benefit is that students see themselves as an active partner in what happens in class and in their learning.

I do a survey every marking period. It's for students, not parents and it is somewhat helpful. The limitation I see the most is that many students equate getting a poor grade with the teacher not liking them. So, they don't respond reflectively about the course, but rather reactively.

let me sum up your post for you

"I was an awesomely amazing teacher but my kids teacher(s) suck."

I wish I got to fill one out two years later. THOSE would have been the really useful comments. Not the less flattering ones I would have written in December.

First grade was hard, and I didn't like his teacher much.

Truth is, I mostly didn't like her because she had a grueling job to do, and it was grueling for all involved.

However: My kid entered her class a non-reader, suffered all year (she was never mean, but it wasn't fun, either) and was no longer behind by second. School went well after that.

It was much easier to like his second grade teacher because her job wasn't as hard, but I am in debt to the first grade teacher.

Memories of my fourth grade teacher. Mean, mean, mean. However, I coasted for the next three years.

I'm just going to add that there isn't teacher alive who would give a survey to a bunch of teenagers who don't want to be there to begin with- oh yeah, and who is being asked repeatedly to put away the cell phone.

Do any of you have any idea whatsoever about what a classroom is today?

How about this...teachers get to rate the parents!

Yeah.....on a Lykert scale!! For instance how deluded, on a scale of 1-5, a parent may be regarding their child's behavior. Or how about how supportive a parent may be of their child's education, how helpful in school events, etc. Don't forget how neurotic, how prolific they may be regarding unnecessary emails, how much homework a kid actually gets done at home....WHOOOOOT !

Wait, let's not stop there- if a kid can't pass a test, let's look at all the family or genetic issues that may have contributed to this problem...(or is it the teacher who has had your kid for , yep...6 months....)


LOL!! I DREAM, can't I

I wish I got to fill one out two years later. THOSE would have been the really useful comments. Not the less flattering ones I would have written in December.

First grade was hard, and I didn't like his teacher much.

Truth is, I mostly didn't like her because she had a grueling job to do, and it was grueling for all involved.

However: My kid entered her class a non-reader, suffered all year (she was never mean, but it wasn't fun, either) and was no longer behind by second. School went well after that.

It was much easier to like his second grade teacher because her job wasn't as hard, but I am in debt to the first grade teacher.

Look at the nasty anonymous posts on DCUM. I can just imagine............

I think there is already too much rancor between teachers and parents in this area. It is one thing to invite criticism but another to mandate it. I think the teachers would just feel attacked. Also, parents can only give limited feedback since they are not in the classroom and only see what comes home.

I disagree. I do think it would be a good idea for the teacher to send them out for her own use--but, believe me, most teachers would not.

When I taught I made up my own survey and had students and their parents complete them ANONYMOUSLY mid and end year. People thought I was crazy. Sure I got some rude comments, but there was something to learn from those. I also got plenty of helpful criticism without all the sugarcoating. I made adjustments and end of year got many more positive reviews-again anonymous. Yes, the first read of even the constructive criticism was hard, but by the time I digested the info and read it a few more times the criticism, even mean comments were incredibly helpful and insightful. I had a blind spot until I got these reviews.

As a parent, I get so sick of sugarcoating and choosing my battles and using the most PC non-accusatory language possible if I say anything at all. Some teachers desperately need major help. Hopefully most parents would be constructive and also mention any positives. I certainly would have positive things to say too, but my goodness some of these teachers are just clueless regarding so many things. It's particularly hard to swallow when you have experienced the truly talented teachers.

Frankly, I think administration should see evals too. A group of parents can say teacher B needs as much help as possible learning (basic) classroom management skills or organizing herself or teaching in a developmentally appropriate manner and they are just looked at as whiners because all the other people who feel this way stay quiet for fear of retaliation.

I truly think this would be 1 big step toward improving our schools.