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The Role of Graduate Teaching Assistants in a Large American Government Class.

Abstract Many political science departments rely heavily upon graduate teaching assistants (T.A.s) to staff their large American government classes. Among their many duties, T.A.s are usually required to lead discussion groups and prepare their students for major examinations. Given the wide variation in teaching skills and classroom demeanor among T.A.s, this study examines the relationship between 1,500 student test scores and T.A. evaluations in three large American government classes at a midwestern university. Three central questions are addressed: What factors influence whether or not a T.A. is considered competent? What difference does a T.A. make in expanding student knowledge of American government? To what extent are students' scores on mass lecture examinations a reflection of their-T.A.s' ability to communicate, clarify concepts or stimulate interest in the subject matter? Results indicate that students rate classroom deportment, rather than test scores, as the most important criterion of T.A....