Who are the TA Scholars?
Teaching Assistant Scholars have completed the course-Integrated Algebra or Living Environment-and passed the associated Regents exam. However, they need not have excelled in the course the prior year. In fact, students who want to develop a better understanding of the math or science are welcome to be TA Scholars. The best TA Scholars have been those students who are interested in helping others, and willing to learn the content more deeply. There is no apparent correlation between the academic performance of the TA Scholar and the ability of the TA Scholar to be an outstanding leader. Dispositions, such as patience, perseverance, and desire to learn, are stronger predictors of success as a TA Scholar than academic skill. TA Scholars, however, are expected to develop into academic role models and outstanding students.
The TA Scholar Schedule
TA Scholars enroll in their PERC course, for which they receive Community Service credit, and in the TA Scholar Class, which gives elective credit in the appropriate subject (math or science). The Scholar will also enroll in a mathematics course if serving in the science PERC class or a science course if serving in the math PERC class. Thus the TA Scholar will be expected to continue taking mathematics and science courses throughout their four years of high school. TA Scholars are encouraged to complete the coursework necessary for an Advanced Diploma or a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation in Mathematics and Science.
The TA Scholar Class
The TA Scholar class meets daily, and is taught by the PERC teacher. Class time is spent on reviewing the content of the PERC class, as well as learning enriched material appropriate for a more advanced class. A typical class may include preparing for an upcoming lesson, giving feedback to the teacher about a prior lesson or about individual 9th graders, and practicing teaching or tutoring techniques. The TA Scholar class also teaches skills for college success, and one day a week is usually dedicated to college preparedness ("College Fridays"). TA Scholars are asked to improve their own academic skills, to retake Regents exams to improve scores to the Mastery level, and to develop study skills appropriate for the college-bound.
