1. Assisting Students with Disabilities
A Training Program for Paraeducators
Transparency #1

2. Overview of this Training Module
Module 1: Introduction to the Paraeducator Role
Unit 1 –Roles & Responsibilities
Unit 2 – Communication & Teamwork Skills
Unit 3 – Legal & Ethical Issues
Module 1, Transparency #1

3. Module 1, Unit 1: Roles & Responsibilities
Instructional Objectives:
To understand how the paraeducator role developed
To understand the importance of the team
To describe the teamwork responsibilities of paras, teachers, & administrators
To describe the distinctions in teacher & paraeducator instructional responsibilities
Module 1, Unit 1, Transparency #3

4. Module 1, Unit 1, Transparency #4
Unit Overview
Introduction to the Paraeducator Role
The Administrator-Teacher-Paraeducator Team
Distinctions in teacher & paraeducator instructional responsibilities
Closing
Module 1, Unit 1, Transparency #4

5. Overview of the Paraeducator Role
Paraeducators – playing an integral role & providing much-needed support, due to:
More participation of students with disabilities
Federal & state legislative mandates
Teacher shortages
Restructuring of the roles of teachers
Module 1, Unit 1, Transparency #5

6. Overview of the Paraeducator Role
“Para” – “alongside”
A paraeducator is a school employee who . . .
provides instructional or other direct support services to students, and
works under the supervision of a certified/licensed staff member who is responsible for educational programming & student progress
Module 1, Unit 1, Transparency #6

7. Overview of the Paraeducator Role
Paraeducator Work Settings:
Inclusive general and special education classes
Early intervention & pre-school programs
Libraries & computer labs
Parent training programs
Transition training, supported employment, & other vocational programs
Module 1, Unit 1, Transparency #7

8. Overview of the Paraeducator Role
Impact of paraeducators on educational programs:
More individualized instruction to students
More monitoring & evaluation of students
More positive role models in students’ environment
More time for teachers to assess needs, consult, diagnose problems, & plan lessons
Module 1, Unit 1, Transparency #8

9. Overview of the Paraeducator Role
Benefits of paraeducator involvement in education:
Improved student learning
More consistency in student services
More positive student attitudes toward school & learning
Improved student behavior in the classroom
Improved parent-school- community relations
Module 1, Unit 1, Transparency #9

10. The Administrator-Teacher-Para Team
Paraeducator knowledge & skills + supportive working environment = more satisfied & effective paraeducator, & improved learning for students
Teamwork responsibilities
Administrators
Teachers
Paraeducators
Module 1, Unit 1, Transparency #10

11. The Administrator-Teacher-Para Team
Administrator Teamwork Responsibilities
School- or district-wide support for paras
Needs Assessments
Provide job orientation, including written job description, introductions, & handbook on school policies
Set & enforce “best practice” supervision policies
Evaluate teachers’ supervision of paras
Module 1, Unit 1, Transparency #11

12. The Administrator-Teacher-Para Team
Teacher Teamwork Responsibilities
Classroom-level supervision of paraeducators
Provide a more specific, personalized job orientation
Assess para’s strengths & weaknesses
Use effective teaching techniques with paras
Conduct frequent, formal meetings with the para
Module 1, Unit 1, Transparency #12

13. The Administrator-Teacher-Para Team
Paraeducator Teamwork Responsibilities
Take an active role in determining your success
Positive, cooperative attitude toward assigned tasks
Seek training & supervision, as needed
Request meetings with the supervising teacher
Seek information about students & instructional process
Provide information about student progress
Module 1, Unit 1, Transparency #13

14. Distinctions in Instructional Responsibilities
Teachers’ responsibilities:
(Primary responsibility for students’ education)
Diagnose students’ education & support needs
Prescribe the programs to meet those needs
Develop goals & objectives
Prepare lesson plans for whole class
Modifying strategies & content for individual students
Module 1, Unit 1, Transparency #14

15. Distinctions in Instructional Responsibilities
Teachers’ Responsibilities (cont.):
Lead the implementation of instructional programs
Evaluate program effectiveness & student performance
Involve parents in their children’s education
Module 1, Unit 1, Transparency #15

16. Distinctions in Instructional Responsibilities
Paraeducators’ Responsibilities:
(Assist the teacher, as directed and with supervision)
Instructional support tasks:
Implement educational programs & lesson plans
Help individual students with academic work
Help in collecting & maintaining data about students’ performance
Score objective tests, keep records
Give info and/or attend IEP/IFSP meetings
Module 1, Unit 1, Transparency #16

17. Distinctions in Instructional Responsibilities
Paraeducator Responsibilities (cont.):
Behavior management support tasks
Implement behavior management programs in the classroom
Supervise students and enforce school policies for student behavior in non-academic settings (for example, playground, lunchroom)
Module 1, Unit 1, Transparency #17

18. Distinctions in Instructional Responsibilities
Paraeducator Responsibilities (cont.):
Clerical/technical support tasks
Prepare/duplicate materials
Set up & maintain adaptive equipment & learning centers
Operate office or video equipment
Module 1, Unit 1, Transparency #18

19. Distinctions in Instructional Responsibilities
Paraeducator Responsibilities (cont.):
Provide personal/health assistance to students with disabilities
Assist with personal/hygienic care
Assist with special health care needs
Module 1, Unit 1, Transparency #19

20. Distinctions in Instructional Responsibilities
Duties a paraeducator may NOT perform:
Be solely responsible for …
An entire classroom (for example, as a substitute teacher)
An entire educational program
Diagnosing student needs
Developing lesson plans
Assigning grades
Grade subjective or essay tests
Administer or score standardized tests
Module 1, Unit 1, Transparency #20