Report card anxiety is in the air, but this time it’s teachers who are being put to the test.

Schools are in the process of having students evaluate their teachers for the first time ever on surveys that are being distributed through Oct 18. 

The Tripod Student Survey was one of the most — if not the most — controversial components of the new teacher evaluation system, holding up contract negotiations between the state and Hawaii State Teachers Association for months. 

Students kindergarten through grade 12, are taking the voluntary survey, which measures student-teacher relationships and teaching quality. They take two surveys each year.

Starting next year, survey results will be included in evaluations that affect pay. 

Students in grades three and higher will use a five-point scale to rate statements such as “My teacher takes the time to summarize what we learn each day” or “In this class, we learn to correct our mistakes.”

The younger kids use a three-point scale to rate more age-appropriate statements. 

The Tripod Student Survey is a nationally developed system endorsed by the Gates Foundation and MET teaching quality study. 

Photo: A stock photo of an evaluation. (Courtesy of Fotalia.)

— Alia Wong