A pilot program featuring formative peer review of faculty teaching at a college of pharmacy

Although student ratings are the most common method for evaluating faculty performance in the classroom in schools of pharmacy, this should not be the sole approach to provide feedback to faculty regarding teaching.

This initiative targeted individuals at the ranks of Clinical Assistant or Assistant Professor who taught during the 2016-2017 academic year. As part of the process, the peer reviewer(s) attended a class taught by the faculty member under review. During the observation, the peer reviewer(s) completed rubrics and noted strengths and areas for improvement. Participating faculty members were asked to complete a post-evaluation survey to evaluate the pilot program and offer suggestions for enhancement FINDINGS: Based on a 64.3% response rate (9/14) from reviewers and 92.9% (13/14) from faculty members under review, 100% (9/9) of reviewers and 92.3% (12/13) of faculty members under review would recommend the peer review program to their colleagues. However, 77.8% (7/9) of the reviewers and only 46.2% (6/13) of faculty members under review supported the use of the peer review method as part of the annual faculty evaluation and development process.

Ultimately, this process of peer review will be implemented across the college, benefiting faculty evaluation and development, as part of the promotion and tenure process. With our positive feedback and suggestions for improvement, the authors hope this will serve as a guide for institutions to develop peer review programs that will positively supplement student ratings and provide an additional, meaningful form of evaluation for self- improvement and promotion/tenure.