My concerns are in reference to your editorial on the use of student surveys in teacher evaluations (“Students Are The Experts On Teacher Performance,” Dec. 28).

The editorial states that researchers working with 3,000 teachers and students found a strong correlation between “value added” testing (teachers helping students to improve test scores) and evaluation forms filled out by students. They concluded that students are in a better position than anyone else to determine which teachers are the most effective.

The editors feel these observations should be taken seriously, and conclude that in order to improve the evaluation process, teachers should be talking to the “experts.”

However, the following factors make this conclusion questionable:

• Parents often blame teachers when their young charges receive low or failing grades; this in turn, is reflected in student attitude toward teachers.

• Teachers may be “soft” in grading, and by so doing, gain popularity with students and parents.

• Our society does not celebrate teachers.

• Teacher bashing is in vogue.

Unfortunately, the demands on teachers has caused many to burn out (half leave after five years of teaching).

I believe that the ideas and ideals of most good teachers are unrecognized and unappreciated by our society.

I wish I had a better answer to what makes a good teacher. But I sincerely believe leaving it to the “experts” is both far-reaching and naive.