Impact Of Higher Level Teaching Assistant Education Essay

Impact Of Higher Level Teaching Assistant Education Essay In 2003, there has been a reform that was signed in order to reform the school workforce. Sets of National Standards were produced in order to reflect the production of Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTA). The main purpose of posting HLTAs is to provide a high level of classroom support to help ensure that teachers can focus on their teaching role. A HLTA post-holder will be expected to take on more involved roles in support of teaching and learning and may line manage other support staff (e.g. TAs, LSAs). The precise details of the role will be determined by the school/college. HLTAs work strictly under the direction and guidance of a teacher, within the framework of management and supervision of their school/college. Responsibility for teaching and learning remains with the teacher (and ultimately the head/principal), who will exercise their professional judgment based on what is best for pupils. The distinction between HLTAs and TAs is that HLTAs take on higher level roles than other TAs, including planning their own role within the classroom (in support of the teachers planning) and undertaking some teaching activities within an appropriate system of supervision provided by a teacher. HLTAs may line manage other support staff, including TAs. This paper shall discuss the impact made by HLTAs on teaching and learning. This shall also look into the cost being incurred by posting HLTAs as well as supply rates as opposed to covering of teaching assistants. Impact of HLTA in Teaching Practice The NfER 2007 report Deployment and impact of support staffà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ cited in the cwd council e-bulletin no.06 August 2007 revealed more than 90% of the senior leaders who responded believe Higher Level Teaching Assistants are having a positive effect within schools and on pupil performance. In some school localities the opportunity to use able TAs in community liaison and fund raising has been a real bonus, bringing very diverse communities closer together. Equally comments such as C. contributes to the School Improvement Plan and represents TAs and chairs TA meetings every two weeks, clearly demonstrates how the role of the TA can be moved forward to the benefit of a whole setting particularly as many settings now have a considerable number of TAs. One setting had twenty three TAs, all of whom need managing and timetabling. She (the HLTA) has a base room and allocates other TAs to specific classes, were the words from one setting. TAs also need to be kept informed of happenings and discussions within settings thus a HLTA representative at meetings has aided the ability to keep TAs informed as they cascade information. It also means that TAs do not all need to attend meetings and yet are all kept informed. This means that numbers at meetings are more manageable and it means TAs who are paid less do not need to give up more unpaid time. There is also the security of knowing that the person covering a class understands and works to the standards but there are difficulties if the HLTA is absent as there are no HLTA supplies currently and so frequently a supply teacher has to be brought in to cover the absent HLTA. In fact there is no insurance to cover the supply when covering for a HLTA. This also raises the issue of pay as the supply would earn more than the TA. There was however one school which had Level two TAs taking classes during PPA time this was questionable as neither wished to undertake HLTA but it is not known if these two had other qualifications that would make this more acceptable. Webb (2010) however argued that while teachers acknowledge the expertise of the assigned HLTAs, as well as the contribution that they are making, most of the teachers believe that their professionalism are being compromised. According to Webbs study, this is because of the HLTAs lack of teaching qualifications. Stewart (2009) shares this same argument. On his study, teachers viewed that the creation of HLTAs is a threat for their professional status. Moreover, a review of Childrens Services Scrutiny Committee was conducted in Oxfordshire County Council with regards to the impact of having support staff in classes. In summary, there have been varied response with regards to the advantages and disadvantages of such. The impact on teachers workload and morale has been positive, though many teachers report that workload continues to increase. Some head teachers, especially, suggest that many teachers have become less flexible. The impact on head teachers workload has been considerable, notably in small schools, especially where they have taken on the responsibility for the details of organization and additional teaching commitments. This has had a negative effect on morale. The impact on support staff has been extremely varied. Some, especially those training to be teachers or HLTAs have greatly welcomed the increased responsibility of leading classes. Of those teaching assistants leading classes without additional training, some enj oy the additional responsibility, but most feel that they do not have the necessary skills, expertise and experience, especially those working with older children. Support staff are often treated with less respect than teachers. Most planning takes account of the medium-term plan, but the responsibility for planning sessions varies widely. Those releasing teachers unwillingly are often concerned about the quality of lessons and sometimes about the health and safety implications. Most support staff have little or no timetabled time to prepare. Much the most common concern, even from those who welcomed the new opportunities, is that any increased levels of pay, by no means universal, in no way matches the additional responsibility. The benefits for teachers workload and morale are perceived to be mainly at the expense of head teachers and support staff who do not wish to lead classes but are doing so. Impact of HLTA in Learning The main benefits for learning are raised standards and support for the students and greater ability to monitor childrens progress. There is also greater continuity and one person questioned said, we are able to deliver sessions more effectively as they (TAs) know the expectations. The TAs also support booster groups, reading, and extends the gifted and talented, and writes reports. According to Walker (2010), there are positive impacts of HLTAs especially those assigned in mathematics and the sciences. According to the students that was interviewed in his case study, the HLTAs made it easier for them to concentrate and stay focused on their tasks; HLTAs also made them feel comfortable, confident and allows them to ask questions; and made the learning experience fun and also HLTAs have helped them to recognize the importance of the subject matter. Moreover, a review of Childrens Services Scrutiny Committee was conducted in Oxfordshire County Council with regards to the impact of having support staff in classes in terms of the students learning and progress. During PPA time, some schools continue with the usual curriculum, especially for children in the Foundation Stage and nursery schools. A changed curriculum is more usual, with PE, Art/Design Technology and a modern foreign language being the most common subjects covered by specialists. Where teaching assistants lead sessions, spelling, handwriting, guided reading and math practice were popular, with other aspects of literacy and numeracy rarely covered. ICT, PSHCE and RE were less frequently mentioned science, history and geography only occasionally. The impact on the quality of the curriculum during PPA time depends very substantially on the quality of the staff leading classes. Where these are specialist teachers or coaches, most schools thought the curriculum was enriche d. Unchallenging lessons result in lessons less well differentiated for those of different abilities. This often leads to poor behavior where staff leading a class were not well qualified and familiar with the children, especially with older children in Key Stage 2. Children who find change difficult were reported as finding a range of adults difficult, but the Review Group believes it is good for children to learn to relate to different adults, as long as this change is not too frequent. The range of the curriculum was usually thought in schools where specialists are used to have been broadened, sometimes in the subjects covered, sometimes in extending provision to a wider age range. The evidence suggests that the quality of teaching and learning has improved in the rest of the week, particularly because of improved planning and assessment. However, time for curriculum coordinators has been reduced. Though many support staff, especially, are concerned about reduced targeted support for children with special educational needs, the evidence on the overall impact on this group is not conclusive. The use of outside specialists runs the risk of reducing opportunities for cross curricular links and, unless the National Curriculum is closely followed, not providing full curriculum coverage and appropriate progression within a subject. Monitoring both at class and at whole-school level of the impact of PPA time on the curriculum has mostly been informal. Impact of HLTA in Engagement The feedback from one setting with regard to engagement was using TAs has engaged the children and given a sense of purpose. Another setting remarked that there was now very good constant contact with all the staff and children, which is clear evidence of good practice. Overall the engagement appeared to be better or what we already do or just reinforced or brilliant as one setting put it. The feedback to Have HLTAs had an impact in the workplace was generally positive, HLTAs have undertaken PPA, they have covered a range of subjects, some of the OFSTED reports have commented on the good work of the TAs and evidence was in raised standards in some subjects. They had enriched practice as a direct result of their personal and varied experience. One head-teacher even went so far as to say that experience has more of an impact than the qualification/ status, but as another head remarked an unqualified set of staff is a mums army. Generally only those HLTAs who could manage the children were given extended roles as no setting wishes to create further problems. The skills and strengths of the TA were always taken into consideration. The tracking of children had been developed in some settings. One setting said they had fewer problems as it is a familiar adult. Overall the engagement of children was very positive but the HLTA had to be competent as the classes need to see them as the teachers equal. Another setting said that children are open minded to any engaging teacher or TA, thus where the HLTA demonstrates this, the outcome is positive. Positives in Achieving HLTA A study conducted by the Derby City Local Authority have results regarding the positive advantages of having TAs in attaining HLTA. This new knowledge in turn makes the person feel more confident which in turn develops their sense of self and thus raises their own and others perception of themselves. The NfER report 2007 cited in the cwdcouncil e-bulletin no.06 August 2007 claimed that 74% of HLTAs said their status had led to increased confidence and over half cited greater job satisfaction. 73% of TAs agreed that they would recommend HLTA to other TAs clearly demonstrating a positive view of the achievement. 75% believed HLTA had opened up new opportunities for them. 92% felt HLTA was the best way forward in terms of professional development. Currently the TAs are not convinced that HLTA has helped them to progress but there is still a slight increase in those who think it has as the following demonstrates. The question did not really apply to those who had not yet achieved HLTA. 31% said HLTA had helped them to progress professionally whilst only 15% said that HLTA had not helped them to progress professionally. Overall those who had achieved HLTA were fairly positive and the results demonstrated that remodeling has had an impact but there is less clarity as to the role HLTA has played in this. 35% felt positive about achieving HLTA whilst only 4% were negative about achieving HLTA. Conclusion There was quite clearly a role in most settings for a HLTA or equivalent and this person usually had effective interpersonal skills, was good at time management and planning, they frequently had an additional skill such as art or music and as one Head teacher put it, they need to prove themselves as all employed people have to. The organisation of a setting often had an impact on the number of HLTAs or equivalents as some settings developed one TAs role whilst others split the extended role between two or more TAs. This could also reflect the number of TAs who are ready and experienced sufficiently for such a role as HLTA. Deployment of HLTAs needs to be more attractive with remuneration but once this is achieved HLTAs can make a significant contribution to the management of other TAs, to scaffolding information and representing TAs at meetings. The TAs are interested in further training with a small per cent age of TAs seeking HLTA or teaching and some TAs still requiring Key Skills. There needs to be a relevant professional development route for aspiring TAs with more recognition of the different routes. The HLTA status training needs to include a direct observation of the potential HLTA working with a large group or class as happens to all NQTs and other adults working with classes. TAs are making a considerable contribution to our schools and this research so far seems to demonstrate their distinct contribution as stated in the TDA (2006:3)HLTA Training pack but they are by their continued professional development also helping to create the World-class workforce for children, young people and families, that is the Childrens Workforce Development Councils vision. However as one TA remarked, I would not be interested in the HLTA as I feel that the work involved is far greater than the recognition and pay. This needs to be addressed if we wish to encourage TAs to embrace the changes further. Yet 75% of TAs would still recommend HLTA to other TAs. Overall, the presented literature show that in terms of HLTAs impact on teaching, there are two opposing views. Some of the teachers view that HLTAs are a threat to their profession. In spite of the contributions that HLTAs are giving, it is believed that their professionalism are being compromised because of the lack of teaching experience of HLTAs. On the other hand, other teachers reported that HLTAs have positive contributions for the improvement of their teachings quality. Many teachers still believe that the support that these HLTAs are giving helped them in reducing their workloads and stress. In terms of learning, HLTAs support has contributed in the improvement of the students understanding of the subject matter. Also, they have helped in the improvement of of the students achievement and opportunities for their personalized learning. Finally, in spite of varying opinions regarding the impact of HLTA, it is very important to note that these higher level teaching assistants are doing their best to aid the teachers. It is recommended that their skills should be monitored and upgraded periodically so that their outputs could be exceptional as well.

Effects of Sexual Abuse on Children Essay -- Psychology

A Brief Study of Sexual Abuse of Children and it's Causes and Effects Sexual abuse of children and infants is sadly as universal and old as the human race itself. But it is only in recent years that much more attention has been paid to the pervasive instance of sexual abuse among children, the majority of which occurs in the family setting. Pedophiles usually manifest signs that are readily identified. Common signs are: repetitive conversations about the sexual activities of children or teens, and excessive masturbation to include breaking from normal daily activities to masturbate. The pedophile has a childhood history of sexual abuse and has unresolved sexual problems stemming from this history. Hobbies centering around the collection of child pornography and sexual arousal when engaging in this hobby is a sign of a sexual perpetrator. Sexual abusers generally have a sense of frustration and anger released through the abuse of children. Pedophiles lack the ability to approach appropriate sexual partners, thus they seek out children to find a sexual release. As can be seen, emotional immaturity is a factor in a pedophile personality. Social inadequacy runs in juxtaposition with emotional immaturity. Additionally pedophiles enjoy the ability of control, and the sense of power they have over their victims. They feel as if they have no control over their own lives and so they take advantage of children in an attempt to achieve that sense of power. Statistics of child sexual abuse are highly controversial due to the fact that reporting and compilation of this information is incomplete and cannot be fully controlled. But from the information that can be gathered it is evident that there is extreme truth that sexual abus... ...re strong indications that environmental factors do play an important role. Children who are raised in an abusive environment, as adults create an abusive situation that their children "environmentally" inherit, and the cycle goes on and on. As is evident, child molestation is a commonly occurring abuse when it needn't be. If parents, siblings, teachers, religious leader, and society as a whole made an attempt to observe the physical and behavioral tendencies in children, abuse can be more readily perceived and therefore eradicated. Society must not blame the victim, but must punish the perpetrators and make an effort to rehabilitate them before allowing them to form an abusive situation yet again. Sexual abuse in children is a widely growing problem which needs our attention. We need to act now before more children are subjected to these unmotivated attacks.

The Positive Part Social Networking Web Sites.

THE POSITIVE PART Social networking Web sites are helping businesses advertise, thus social networking Web sites are benefiting businesses – economically. Social networking Web sites are helping education by allowing teachers and coaches to post club meeting times, school projects, and even homework on these sites. Social networking Web sites are enabling advancements in science and medicine. Job hunting Stay in touch with friends Positive causes/awareness THE NEGATIVE PARTThe very nature of such sites encourages users to provide a certain amount of personal information. But when deciding how much information to reveal, people may not exercise the same amount of caution on a Website as they would when meeting someone in person. This happens because: * the Internet provides a sense of anonymity; * the lack of physical interaction provides a false sense of security * they tailor the information for their friends to read, forgetting that others may see it.Sharing too much informa tion on social networking sites can be problematic in two ways: firstly, it can reveal something about you that you’d rather your current or future employer or school administrator not know, and second, it can put your personal safety at risk. Another potential downside of social networking sites is that they allow others to know a person’s contact information, interests, habits, and whereabouts.Consequences of sharing this information can range from the relatively harmless but annoying—such as an increase in spam—to the potentially deadly—such as stalking. Another great issue of concern with social networking web sites is that of child safety. Research has shown that almost three out of every four teenagers who use social networking web sites are at risk due to their lack of using online safety. Joly, Karine, 2007) A lot of the web sites do have an age requirement but it is easily bypassed by the lying about of one’s age. Even if they donâ €™t lie about their age the average age requirement is around fifteen years old. Predators may target children, teens, and other unsuspecting persons online—sometimes posing to be someone else—and then slowlyâ€Å"groom† them, forming relationships with them and then eventually convincing them to meet in person.

The Marriage Between Elizabeth And Mrs. Darcy - 1742 Words

The eventual marriage between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice comes as a result of their profound personal rediscoveries. Initially, a slew of misunderstandings between the two characters, stemming from their first encounter at a ball in Meryton, had plagued the relationship, nearly rendering it irreconcilable. They both left that first ball with wildly different interpretations of each other’s intentions; Darcy’s refusal to dance with Elizabeth instilled her with a budding resentment that would distort her judgement of him until mid-way through the novel, while the former character, assured by his pride, viewed her disposition as flirtatious in nature. These conflicting perspectives put them both at cross-purposes, but do†¦show more content†¦Bingley - a wealthy gentlemen of whom Darcy is an acquaintance -, who had been visiting Pemberley, and harbors romantic intentions for him. Her childish attempts to demean Elizabeth allows him to hint at hi s feelings for Miss Bennet, at one point even complimenting her beauty in front of her. Ultimately, both Darcy and Elizabeth, now changed individuals, both act in a manner different from their previous meeting; the former acts genteel and civil, and the latter receives kindly to his treatment. At the beginning of the novel, though, instability and misunderstanding characterized the relationship between the two. After Jane catches an illness en route to the Bingley Estate in Netherfield, Elizabeth chooses to travel to the house and care for her sister; Darcy, who had been visiting the Bingley’s, is also present there. On one particular night, Miss Bingley, Mr. Bingley’s sister, asks Elizabeth to parade about the room with her, in an attempt to attract Darcy’s attention; subsequently, the two women discuss the possibility of finding an aspect of his character to ridicule. He states that his critical fault is his resentment, and that his â€Å"good opinion once lo st is lost forever.† Elizabeth proceeds to mock him; she views his apparent assertion of self-awareness as examples of his conceited personality, and judges him for over-valuing his first impression. Unbeknownst to her, however, Darcy had reallyShow MoreRelatedThe Marriage Between Elizabeth And Mrs. Darcy1764 Words   |  8 PagesThe eventual marriage between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice comes as a result of their profound personal rediscoveries. Initially, a slew of misunderstandings between the two characters, stemming from their first encounter at a ball in Meryton, had plagued the relationship, nearly rendering it irreconcilable. 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