Paraeducators in Physical Education PEP 445

Issue  Least skilled teaching the most needy students ()

Evaluation of Paraeducators  Para’s rating of 4 & 5 –Knows the students –Takes initiative –Good teaching and modeling –Provides adequate support –Goes with the flow –Adapt program to students’ needs  Para’s rating of 0-2 –Comes into gymnasium and sits –Offers little support –Does not take initiative –Incapable of helping –Unable to modify curriculum –Unprepared –Untrained

Satisfaction Levels  GPE teacher’s level of satisfaction with the paraeducator 2.7 out of 5  Paraeducator’s level of satisfaction with the GPE teacher and physical education experience 4.3 out of 5 WHAT DOES THIS TELL US?

Issues with Untrained Paraeducators  Inappropriate behavior  Bad feelings  Frustration on both ends  Children with disabilities lose

Paraeducators in PE  Benefits of the paraeducator  Roles of the paraeducator  Training the paraeducator  Communicating with the paraeducator  Motivating the Paraeducator  Collaboration with the paraeducator  Questions and answers

Benefits of the Paraeducator  An extra set of eyes  An extra set of hands  Support in decision making  Knowledge about the students with disabilities  Assistance with a variety of teaching related duties

Roles of the Paraeducator  Before physical education class –Provide information to the physical educator regarding the student(s) with a disability –Learn about the physical education curriculum and units of instruction for the school year –Learn about the physical education teacher’s managerial style (including rules and routines)

Roles of the Paraeducator  During PE class –Assist with: attendance equipment behavior management Instruction transitions assessment data keeping

Roles of the Paraeducator  Outside of physical education class –Assist with: IEP development implementing physical education goals and objectives communicating information from PE to parents and teachers

Training  Who should train paraeducator?  Training program should consist of: –Roles and responsibilities –What is Physical Education & PE Terminology –Behavior management –Instructional strategies Peer tutoring Adaptations Instruction/reinforcement Assessment –IEP Participation –Conflict resolution –Lieberman, L.J. (2007). Paraeducators in Physical Education, Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics

Communicating with Para’s  Information needs to be shared both ways  Communicate weekly –Planned meetings – s –Lesson plans in mailbox –Other  Must be OK to call last minute meetings if necessary

Motivating the Paraeducator  Name on door with yours  Introduction at the beginning of school  Thank you’s! Bulletin board/newsletter  Gatorade or power bars during/after class  Their own locker  Bring to conference with you  Offer exercise classes after school 1-2Xwk.  Other

Collaborating with Para’s  Get information on the disability  Medical needs  IEP goals and objectives  Resolve conflicts when they arise  Be an active member of the multidisciplinary team

Questions & Answers  Question  Answer