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The effective deployment of teaching assistants
A research project funded by the Esmče Fairbairn Foundation
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Aim: to develop and evaluate school-based strategies for the effective deployment of TAs to support pupils |
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Background
Results from the DISS project showed that pupils who received the most support from TAs made less progress in core subjects over a school year compared to similar pupils who received less support from TAs (even when controlling for characteristics that can affect progress and the allocation of support, such as prior attainment and SEN).
We have argued strongly that this situation is not the fault of individual, but systemic structural factors within which TAs operate and over which they have little or no control. In particular, the DISS findings suggested three main explanations:
1. Despite much debate about the appropriate role of TAs, they now have a predominantly pedagogical role, directly interacting with pupils (principally, but not exclusively, those with learning needs). As a consequence such pupils become separated from the teacher and the curriculum
2. There are severe limits in terms of the ‘preparedness’ of teachers and TAs in terms of their training to work together and the amount of time they get to discuss pupils and work in lessons
3. The interactions (or the ‘practice’) of TAs with pupils are less academically demanding for the pupils, with a stress on completing tasks rather than ensuring pupil learning or understanding.
The DISS project findings show a pressing need for clear, well-informed guidance on effective ways of deploying and preparing TAs and teachers. Current methods must be re-evaluated in order to realise the huge potential of the many TAs working in mainstream schools.
Aims
Over the 2010/11 academic year, we will be working in collaboration with headteachers, teachers and TAs in order to:
1. Develop effective school-based strategies for TA deployment in primary and secondary schools.
2. Evaluate the strategies and models of practice, and the processes by which they are introduced and developed, describing what worked well in the local implementation process.
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