Martha Van Leeuwen University of Kansas Resources for Paraeducators Website The Laws for Paraeducators

What are the requirements to be employed as a paraeducator? - You must have graduated from high school AND You must complete an orientation session addressing confidentiality, services you will be providing, policies and procedures of the education agency about special education.

What are my duties as a Paraeducator? To provide instruction or related service under the supervision of a licensed or certified special education professional in an accredited or approved special education program. Examples of allowable activities Instructional support under the supervision of a professional Participation in IEP meetings, parent-teacher conferences, staff development Student data collection and record-keeping (observational and anecdotal records) May assist the special education teacher with paper work related to the special education students whom responsible Assigned to support students with exceptionalities in a general education program

What type of training is required by the school district? Each education agency must have on file a plan for staff development for instructional paraeducators. This could include Individual Development Plans, but they are not required. This plan must include documentation of the annual staff development provided for a period of at least 3 years. The staff development programs must include: 1. Orientation session at the start of the paraeducators employment 2. Orientation annually to ensure compliance with confidentiality and other requirements 3. Staff development activities specifically related to the area and type of program in which paraeducator is employed

Staff development activities should include the following areas Knowledge/Learning: These can include inservice, workshops, study groups, observation, child-specific presentations Application/Skill Development: This can be guided practice, implementing strategies/ideas, peer coaching Impact: Documenting effect of implementation with students

What are the Inservice Requirements in the state of Kansas for paraeducators? In 2008, the state of Kansas implemented a tiered inservice requirement for paraeducators. Paraeducator inservice staff requirements are now dependent on year of experience as a special education paraeducator in Kansas 20 Staff Development Hours Required - Paraeducators who have worked as a Kansas special education para for less than 3 years (within the last 3 years) 10 Staff Development Hours Required - Paraeducators who have worked as a Kansas special education para for more than 3 years (within the last 3 years)

Who is my supervisor? Typically the professional responsible for the students who are receiving assistance from the paraeducator (special education teacher). The supervisor must be responsible for the para's day to day job performance and evaluation

What if my supervisor is not in the building all the time? Paraeducators may work with an exceptional child when the professional is not in the building only if the professional works directly with both that child and the paraeducator at least 10% of the total service time per week. When the assigned special education teacher is not present, the para educator must have a designated principal or teacher available for assistance and supervision.

What are jobs paraeducators should NOT be doing? Paraeducators should not be solely responsible for the instruction or related service of a student Paraeducators are not responsible for selecting or administering formal diagnostic or psychological instruments Paraeducators are not responsible for interpreting the results of formal diagnostic or psychological instruments Paraeducators are not responsible for selecting, programming, or prescribing education activities or materials without the supervision and guidance of the special education teacher

Continued Paraeducators are not responsible for prepareing lesson plans or initiating original concept instruction Paraeducators are not responsible for implementing an IEP for students with exceptionalities without direct supervision and involvement of the professional Paraeducators should never be employed in lieu of certified or licensed special education personnel Paraeducators should not be used as substitute special teachers, unless they have the appropriate Kansas certification or license

References Information taken from Kansas Special Education Process Handbook, Chapter 5: Special Education and Related Services from the Kansas Department of Education Also from Kansas Department of Education's Special Education Reimbursement Guide State Categorical and Transportation Aid for the School Year.