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Wilson High School Teacher’s Assistant (TA) Review

Wilson High School Teacher’s Assistant (TA) Review. Tyler Davenport. Agenda. Why study and research TA’s? Wilson High School profile Activity – Can you tell me… Field Research from Area High Schools Staff Assessment Data “Comprehensive” TA Programs Proposed Solutions.

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Wilson High School Teacher’s Assistant (TA) Review

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  1. Wilson High SchoolTeacher’s Assistant (TA) Review TylerDavenport

  2. Agenda • Why study and research TA’s? • Wilson High School profile • Activity – Can you tell me… • Field Research from Area High Schools • Staff Assessment Data • “Comprehensive” TA Programs • Proposed Solutions

  3. Why research teachers Assistants? • Potentially a valuable experience for teachers and students • Teachers have the chance to mentor students/workers while they complete valuable tasks on the job • Students gain work experience and build valuable relationships with their teachers/supervisors • Analyze productivity and efficiency • Rethink expectations and responsibilities assigned • Streamline the TA registration/selection process throughout a given building, district, or state • There is minimal, if any, research focused on secondary TA’s

  4. What does Wilson Look Like? www.ode.state.or.us/go/SchoolRC

  5. What does Wilson look like? Wilson by the Numbers in 2013 • Population 2012-13: 1,185 students • About 9% down from the previous year • SAT Scores: Exceeded District, State and National averages • Five-hundred and fifty-six: AP exams taken by Wilson students • Seventy-Two: Percentage of staff holding a master's degree or higher • Over $1 million: Estimated amount of scholarship dollars received by Wilson graduates  http://www.pps.k12.or.us/schools/wilson/194.htm

  6. Activity Can you tell me…

  7. Wilson High School • One half (.5) credit available per semester • No written limit on the number of times a student can hold a TA position • Different types of TA positions available • Office/Counseling TA, Community Mentor, Peer Helper, etc. • Some positions are eligible to earn a letter grade • Imbalance in responsibilities between positions • Outdated job description and language, i.e. “No skimpy tops” Counseling Department, Wilson High School

  8. Corvallis High School • One half (.5) credit available per semester • No opportunity to earn a letter grade • Students can hold a TA position 2 times per year • Counseling Office TA’s are expected to organize notes and materials to be delivered to staff and students Linda Keller, Corvallis High School, Counseling Secretary

  9. Jefferson High School • One half (.5) credit available per semester • TA Positions are limited • Juniors and Seniors make up the bulk of the positions • Sophomore positions are limited • Freshman are ineligible • No opportunity for letter grades • Can work for 1 semester as a TA and: • Apply to work for a 2nd semester or • Enroll in an elective course or study hall • Must sign teacher agreement Sharitha McKenzie, Jefferson High School, Counselor

  10. Westview High School • TA Contract for Peer Tutors • No opportunity for letter grades • One half (.5) credit available per semester • One (1) credit limit for TA or Peer Tutor • No formal cap on TA’s per Teacher per period, however, the administration encourages no more than 1 in most cases Danica Jensen, Westview High School, Counselor

  11. The data

  12. The Data

  13. The Data

  14. The Data

  15. The Data

  16. The Data

  17. The Data

  18. Exemplary TA Programs • Chaska and Chanhassen High Schools, Chanhassen, Minnesota • Created and monitored by the Coordinator of Gifted Services • Geared towards academic tutoring in a given subject area • Clear, objective expectations and requirements for both students and mentor teachers to sign off on • Minimal work added to teachers caseload • Northgate High School, Walnut Creek, California • Grading Rubric is included in the TA Contract • Reasonable expectations are outlined

  19. Course Description - Northgate • Being a Teacher Aide requires the student to be punctual and take instruction as well as work independently to be productive in the student's assigned area of responsibility. • The student will learn the skills and perform the duties required by the teacher or office to which assigned. • The primary focus is to assist the teacher/supervisor and administrators as needed. • A maximum of twenty (20) credits of teacher aide can receive graduation elective credit towards graduation. • A 10th-12th grade student can be a TA for only one period each year.

  20. Proposed Solutions • Advocate for a meaningful TA experience • With proper funding (0.50 FTE) I propose to: • Reassess the expectations and responsibilities of all TA’s • Rewrite contracts and agreements to include: • Which TA positions are eligible to earn a letter grade • Which TA positions are pass/no pass • Updated language (i.e. “No skimpy tops”) • Combine the TA application and Contract • Define and advertise the different types of TA’s • Make sure students know what they are signing up for • Restart and shift the culture of TA’s within the building

  21. Conclusion • Connect with professionals • Advocate for a meaningful TA experience • Assess and reassess current practices

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