Teaching Assistant and Grader

Graduate students can be hired by the Economics Department to serve as a teaching Assistant (TA) or as a Grader. Each TA is assigned to a single course and is typically used as a Section Leader for 3 sections and as a grader for that course. Most TAs are Section Leaders for large lecture classes and work closely with the instructor and students of that class. Graders are generally assigned to carry out grading for three courses. The mission of both types of positions is the same: support the instructor(s), and facilitate student learning.

Although it is impossible to anticipate every task that may arise, the following lists provide a guide to the major TA responsibilities and the amount of time involved for each. These are average weekly hours and there can be considerable variation from week to week. For example, a TA may work 2-4 hours more during the week before an exam and 5-10 hours more during the week after an exam. During other weeks a TA will work fewer hours than the average. New TAs should also keep in mind that they may need more preparation and grading time than experienced TAs. This balances out when one becomes an experienced TA.

Any TA who experiences problems should talk to the course instructor, the director of the graduate program, or the chair of the department. If none of these individuals seem appropriate for the problem, Tufts offers many other avenues of support. The staff in the office of the Dean of the Graduate School can help resolve issues or direct you to the right person.

Responsibilities and Hours of TAs Employed as Section Leaders

• Attend Monthly TA Training Sessions - 1 hour (weekly average of monthly meetings)
• Attend Class/Help Administer Class Meetings/ Proctor Exams - 3 hours
• Attend Weekly Planning Meeting with Instructor - 1 hour
• Prepare Section Presentations - 3 hours
• Conduct Weekly Section Meetings - 3 hours
• Hold Office Hours - 3 hours (extra office hours may be needed before exams)
• Assist in Grading - 3 hours (weekly average, much week-to-week variation)

Course instructors have the sole responsibility for planning and administering the course. Teaching Assistants can expect them to: clearly spell out the role of the TA(s), hold weekly planning meetings for the class, give the TA(s) reasonable time to complete assignments, give TA(s) advance notice when special assistance is needed, and participate in occasional training sessions.

In the large lecture classes that employ TA(s), it is normal to distribute a short course evaluation approximately 4-5 weeks into the course. This purpose of this evaluation is to provide feedback to the course instructor and TA(s) while there is still the opportunity correct any problems.

Responsibilities and Hours of TAs Employed as Graders

• 2-4 hours per week for each class or section
• 8-10 hours per week in total
• Graders are usually paid a stipend for the semester to grade for 3 classes. Some instructors may also pay for grading on an hourly basis.

Instructors are expected to: meet with Graders before an assignment begins, spell out the details of how the work is to be graded, provide an answer key (when appropriate), allow reasonable time for the completion of assignments, and provide advance notice when special assistance is needed. Since Graders do not normally attend lectures for the courses they are grading, it is important that they communicate with the instructor any time they have a question about their assignment.

© 2010 Department of Economics, Tufts University. All rights reserved.
Site designed and maintained by ITS.