Question

persuade my teacher Mrs. Newman that students should be able to grade their teachers 7th grader

Answer 1

Here’s a respectful, useful way you (a 7th grader) can persuade Mrs. Newman that students should be able to grade their teachers. I’ve included a short persuasive letter you can give her, talking points you can use in person, answers to likely concerns, and a simple, safe way to run a pilot.

Short persuasive letter to give Mrs. Newman
---
Dear Mrs. Newman,

I’m writing because I think students should have a chance to evaluate their teachers. When students give thoughtful, anonymous feedback, it helps teachers know what is working and what could be improved. This can make lessons clearer, increase class participation, and help everyone learn better.

I know feedback should be fair and respectful, so I suggest a short, anonymous survey with a few rating questions and two open-ended questions: one for what the teacher does well and one for a suggestion to help our learning. The results should be shared as group averages and used only to improve teaching, not to punish anyone. We could run a one-term pilot that you help design so the questions are useful.

Thank you for considering this. I believe student feedback—when collected carefully—can help make our classroom stronger and more respectful.

Sincerely,
[Your name]

Quick in-person script (30–60 seconds)
---
“Mrs. Newman, I have an idea I’d like you to consider. Could our class try a short, anonymous survey so students can give constructive feedback about lessons? I think it could help you know which activities help us learn and what needs to change. We’d make it fair and respectful, and you’d see only group results. Could we try a short pilot this term that you co-design?”

Why this is a good idea (simple points)
- Improves learning: Teachers get information about what helps students learn and can adjust lessons.
- Gives student voice: We feel heard and more invested in class when we can share helpful feedback.
- Builds trust: A respectful feedback loop creates a partnership instead of just criticism.
- Supports teacher growth: Honest, constructive feedback helps teachers see strengths and blind spots.
- Prevents surprises: Regular feedback prevents problems from getting worse and shows appreciation for good teaching.

How to make it safe and useful (suggested rules)
- Anonymous: Use a digital form or paper slips collected by a counselor or class rep.
- Short: 5–7 rating items + 2 open-ended prompts.
- Constructive-only: Teach students how to give helpful feedback (examples, no insults).
- Aggregated: Show averages and themes, not individual comments tied to a student.
- Optional and non-punitive: Results are for improvement and professional development, not punishment.
- Teacher involvement: Mrs. Newman helps write questions and decides how often to run it.
- Pilot first: Try it for one unit or term and then review whether it was helpful.

Suggested survey (very short)
Rating (1–5): 1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree
1) Lessons are clear and organized.
2) Class activities help me understand the topic.
3) The teacher treats students fairly and respectfully.
4) I get helpful feedback on my work.
5) The teacher keeps the class focused and safe.

Open-ended:
1) What does this teacher do well? (one or two sentences)
2) One change that would help my learning is: (one or two sentences)

Addressing likely concerns
- “Students will be mean or unfair.” — Teach students how to give constructive feedback first. Keep it anonymous and aggregated.
- “Teachers will feel judged.” — Emphasize that the goal is improvement, and results will be used for professional development. The teacher can review trends and pick one area to work on.
- “It will be time-consuming.” — Keep it short and run it only a couple times a year (or as a one-term pilot).

How to propose running a pilot
1) Ask for Mrs. Newman’s permission and invite her to help write the questions.
2) Teach the class a 10–15 minute mini-lesson on giving respectful feedback.
3) Administer the anonymous survey (digital or paper).
4) Share aggregated results privately with Mrs. Newman and discuss one or two changes to try.
5) Re-run the survey after the changes to see if things improved.

Closing tip
Be calm, respectful and offer to help organize the pilot. That shows you’re serious and want to work together.

If you want, I can turn the short letter into an email you can send, or make printable survey sheets you can use for the pilot. Which would you like?