Understanding Your AHA Instructor Quality Score
What It Is, How to Find It, and Why It Matters
As an American Heart Association (AHA) Instructor, you play a vital role in preparing students to respond confidently during life-threatening emergencies. Alongside clinical expertise and effective teaching, instructors are part of a broader quality framework designed to promote consistency and excellence across AHA programs. One key component of that framework is the AHA Instructor Quality Score.
If you’ve heard about the score but are unsure how it’s calculated, where to find it, or how to interpret it, you’re not alone. This guide breaks it down clearly so instructors can view the score as a helpful, learner-centered tool rather than a source of confusion.
What Is the AHA Instructor Quality Score?
The Instructor Quality Score is a metric developed by the AHA to measure instructional quality from the student’s perspective. It is based entirely on feedback collected through post-course student surveys and is used to help Training Centers and instructors understand how courses are experienced by learners.
The score does not evaluate administrative tasks, documentation accuracy, or compliance processes. Instead, it reflects how students perceived the instruction, engagement, and overall course delivery.
By focusing on student feedback, the AHA ensures the quality metric remains relevant to the classroom experience and supports meaningful improvement.
How the Instructor Quality Score Works
The AHA Instructor Quality Score is calculated using post-course student surveys completed after an AHA class. Students are asked to evaluate their learning experience, including factors such as clarity of instruction, preparedness of the instructor, engagement, and overall course quality.
As of October 2017, the AHA enhanced its survey process so that student survey questions are customized for each discipline and course type. This means students taking BLS, ACLS, PALS, PEARS, or other AHA courses respond to questions specifically designed for that course’s objectives and structure. This customization allows for a more objective and meaningful evaluation of instructional quality.
Survey responses are aggregated and compared to national benchmarks for the same discipline. To ensure reliability, a minimum of approximately 10 completed surveys is required before an individual Instructor Quality Score is generated. This threshold helps ensure the score reflects consistent trends rather than isolated feedback.
The intent of the score is to support improvement and insight, not to penalize instructors.
How to Find Your AHA Instructor Quality Score
Instructors can view their Instructor Quality Score through the AHA Instructor Network. If you are already an AHA Instructor, you should have set up your Instructor Network account during your instructor course.
To access your score:
Log in to the AHA Instructor Network
The AHA Instructor Network is the online resource used by all AHA Instructors to manage courses, eCards, and reports.Click the “eCards” menu, then select “Manage eCards”
The eCards menu can be found on the left-hand side of your screen or within the top “Dashboard” dropdown menu, depending on your view.Click “Reports”
This section allows instructors to generate reports related to courses and student feedback.Choose the AHA course you want to review
Select the discipline you are teaching, such as BLS, ACLS, or PALS, to generate the appropriate report.
Within the report, you will be able to view instructor-related quality metrics once sufficient student survey data is available. Scores are updated periodically, so recent courses may not appear immediately.
If you have questions or difficulty locating your score, your Training Center can assist.
What Your Instructor Quality Score Means
The Instructor Quality Score provides insight into how students rated their learning experience. The national average benchmark score for AHA Instructors is 85, which serves as a general point of reference when reviewing individual results.
A score at or above this benchmark typically reflects:
Consistently positive student feedback
Clear, engaging instruction
Strong overall course experience
Scores below the benchmark do not automatically indicate poor instruction. Variations can occur due to factors such as:
Smaller sample sizes
New instructors building survey volume
Differences in course audience or format
The most valuable insight comes from reviewing trends over time, rather than focusing on a single score or course.
Why Training Centers Pay Attention to Instructor Quality Scores
Training Centers use Instructor Quality Scores to help support instructors and maintain high instructional standards across all aligned courses. These scores allow Training Centers to:
Identify opportunities for professional development
Recognize strong instructional performance
Monitor learner experience across courses and locations
Offer guidance or mentorship when patterns emerge
The score is a supportive quality tool, not a disciplinary one.
Tips for Supporting a Strong Instructor Quality Score
While instructors cannot control every aspect of student perception, best practices that support positive feedback include:
Setting clear expectations at the start of class
Encouraging participation and questions
Creating a respectful, engaging learning environment
Staying current with AHA updates and guidelines
Reflecting on student feedback constructively
These habits benefit both instructors and learners.
How ACLS Academy Supports Its Instructors
At ACLS Academy, the Instructor Quality Score is viewed as a learner-centered growth tool. The focus is on partnership, transparency, and instructor success.
ACLS Academy supports instructors by:
Helping instructors understand how scores are calculated
Reviewing feedback and trends collaboratively
Providing guidance and educational resources
Maintaining open communication and ongoing support
This approach ensures instructors feel informed, confident, and supported in delivering high-quality training.
A Learner-Focused Measure of Quality
The AHA Instructor Quality Score exists to elevate the student experience and strengthen instructional quality across all AHA programs. When understood correctly, it offers valuable insight into how learners perceive instruction and where opportunities for growth may exist.
By staying informed and partnering with your Training Center, instructors can continue to refine their teaching and deliver education that prepares students to act when it matters most.
If you have questions about your Instructor Quality Score or need assistance navigating reports, ACLS Academy is always here to help.