Reviews two studies on the best strategy for choosing teaching assistants. Measures teacher prowess by questioning students, level of student performance, and scores on a practical exam. Concludes that knowledge of subject and characteristics of undergraduate school attended can be used as predictors. (RT)

The operation of teaching associates (TA's) in reference to McGregor's ideas concerning Theory X and Theory Y Management is discussed. (CP)

Describes a study showing that the results of a practical laboratory examination correlated more positively with written examination scores than the teaching assistant's evaluation of laboratory technique. (MLH)

Assesses the impact of teaching assistants' background on the achievement of chemistry students in laboratory sessions they taught. Includes methodology, nature of background data collection, results, and limitations of the study. (SK)

Presents data from a study of Princeton chemistry students that supports the idea that students themselves are better predictors of their academic performance than are teaching assistants. The implications of this finding for making tutoring recommendations are discussed. (CS)

Discusses and suggests some solutions for three problems related to chemistry laboratory management, including disappearance of teaching assistants, check in/out procedures, and slow students. (YP)

Factors affecting traditional laboratory instruction in chemistry are discussed. They include: responses to potential hazards in the undergraduate laboratory; student distaste for laboratory classes; equipment and chemical costs; lack of qualified teaching assistants; and faculty pressures to do research. New directions for introductory…

Reports on the session at the New England Association of Chemistry Teachers meeting on chemistry laboratories in March 1987. Speakers included Leonard K. Nash and Audrey Champagne on values and goals; Howard Ende on regulation; Stanley Smith and Jerry Bell on the uses of computers; and Miles Pickering on the human dimension. (CW)