1. One to One Paraprofessionals for Students With Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms: Is Conventional Wisdom Wrong? By: Michael F. Giangreco
Courtney Collins
EFRT 304

2. Increasing Use of One on One Paraprofessionals
Has become a primary element to support students with a range of developmental disabilities in inclusive classrooms
Autism
Intellectual Disabilities
Orthopedic Disabilities
Behavioral Challenges
Multiple Disabilities

3. Paraprofessionals
Many educational team members see them as a desirable and supportive action
IDEA allows for paraprofessionals who are appropriately trained to “assist in the provision of special education” under the supervision of qualified professionals

4. Five Reasons
Why the increasing reliance on one to one paraprofessionals warrants closer scrutiny as a critical issue in special education

5. 1. Insufficient Data are Available Regarding One to One Supports to Guide Policy and Practice
Use of Paraprofessionals is everywhere
National Center for Educational Statistics reported they are employed in over 90% of U.S. public schools
National Longitudinal Transition Study 2 reported that more than 84% of students with disabilities attend schools where paraprofessionals are available as a means of support to teachers
Over past decades the number has grown and their roles have become increasingly instructional
States with high disability rates (ex. ND, NH, OR, SD, VT) have more paraprofessionals than special educators

6. 1. Insufficient Data are Available Regarding One to One Supports to Guide Policy and Practice
In 3 recent studies based on combined data from 58 schools across six states (CA, CT, KS, NH, VT, WI) the percentage of special education one to one ranged from 42 % to 54%
Recent study from 103 student with disabilities who were receiving one to one supports, most were identified as
Having either moderate to severe behavior problems 82%
Moderate to severe intellectual disabilities 74%
Males 77%
Only 32 % of student receiving one to one participated in alternate assessments

7. 1. Insufficient Data are Available Regarding One to One Supports to Guide Policy and Practice
Majority of those students were too high functioning to qualify for alternate assessments, yet their IEP teams decided that they needed full time, one to one support
There is inadequate data on one to one paraprofessional supports to follow trends in their use or to inform policy making and practices at federal, state, and local levels

8. 2. Overreliance on Paraprofessionals is Conceptually Flawed
The least qualified, lowest paid, often inadequately supervised staff provide the bulk of instruction for students with the most complex learning characteristics
In some cases, paraprofessionals are inappropriately left to fend for themselves, functioning as the primary teachers for some students with disabilities
Making many daily instructional and curricular decisions

9. 2. Overreliance on Paraprofessionals is Conceptually Flawed
In a study from 153 special education paraprofessionals, nearly 70% agreed that they make curricular and instructional decisions without always having oversight from a teacher or special educator
When paraprofessionals assume high levels of instructional responsibility it is inconsistent with both the IDEA and No Child Left Behind
NCLB- focus on ensuring that students with disabilities have access to highly qualified teachers and special eductors

10. 3. Research Has Identified a Host of Inadvertent Detrimental Effects
We need to ensure that well intended supports do not inadvertently restrict opportunities for students with disabilities or otherwise interfere with them receiving FAPE in the least restrictive environment

11. 4. Current Approaches to Decision Making are Inadequate
The special education field has grown the use of one to one supports without adequate decision making models regarding their use

12. 5. Overreliance on Paraprofessionals Delays Attention to Important Changes
Does assigning a one to one paraprofessional actually address important concerns of team members or merely shift the concerns to paraprofessionals?
One to one paraprofessionals are also perceived as mechanisms to relieve working condition pressures experienced by some special educators in inclusive schools
Large caseloads
Inadequate opportunities to collaborate with teachers
Extensive paperwork
Inadequate time for instruction of students with disabilities

13. 5. Overreliance on Paraprofessionals Delays Attention to Important Changes
Assigning a paraprofessional will not logically result in-
Improved teacher attitudes toward students with disabilities
Increased teacher instructional engagement with students who have disabilities
Increased teacher capacity to modify curriculum and instruction for mixed ability groups
Improved special educator working conditions (smaller caseloads)
Improved collaboration between teachers and special educators
Smaller class size

14. 5. Overreliance on Paraprofessionals Delays Attention to Important Changes
Data indicates that classroom teachers tend to be less engaged with students who have disabilities if a paraprofessional is assigned to that student and routinely provides the bulk of instruction
*By increasing responsibilities to para’s, we have redistributed some pressures associated with including a wide range of students with disabilities in general education classes, but we have failed to substantively address the core concerns in logical and effective ways

15. Potential Positions and Actions to Advance
1. Data is needed regarding the Use of Paraprofessional Supports
Types of Data needed
2. Logical and Evidence Based Parameters are Needed for Using Paraprofessionals
Research suggests that instruction delivered by paraprofessionals should be supplemental rather than primary

16. Potential Positions and Actions to Advance
3. One to One Paraprofessional Support Should be Considered Among the Most Restrictive Support Options
Should be among last resorts considered rather than a first and only option
4. Decision Making Tools are Needed to Help Determine When Paraprofessional Supports are Appropriate and Necessary

17. Potential Positions and Actions to Advance
5. Alternatives to Overreliance on Paraprofessionals and Proactive Models of Special Education Service Delivery are Needed
Variety of alternatives

18. Conclusion and Concerns
Don’t misuse this information by eliminating paraprofessional support
Instead try to find new and better ways of supporting students with a full range of disabilities in inclusive classrooms