Evaluation of the Paraprofessionals in Autism Resource and Achievement Project (PARA-PRO)

Evaluation of the Paraprofessionals in Evaluation of the Paraprofessionals in Autism Resource and Achievement Autism Resource and Achievement

Project Project (PARAPro)(PARAPro)

Teresa Cogar, M.Ed, PBSFTaryn Goodwin, M.Ed, BCBA, LBA

Virginia Commonwealth University

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Objectives• Provide an overview of the Virginia Commonwealth

University’s Autism Center for Excellence• Describe how VCU-ACE increases knowledge in evidence

based practices through training activities • Describe the results of the survey evaluating training

activities • Describe how VCU-ACE fosters movement from

acquisition of knowledge to implementation of skills

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VCU Autism CenterVCU Autism Center• Collaboration with Virginia Department of

Education (VDOE)

• Vision Related to PARAPro Initiativeo The VCU-ACE PARA Project provides professional

development for paraprofessionals who serve students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the teachers with whom they work.

o The program is designed to create effective educational teams and increase the learning of students with ASD.

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Why did Virginia decide to provide training to paraprofessionals?

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That the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted by adding a section numbered 22.1-298.3 as follows:

Students with autism spectrum disorders; training required of personnel.By September 1, 2014, each school board shall ensure that aides assigned to work with a teacher who has primary oversight of students with autism spectrum disorder receive training in student behavior management within 60 days of assignment to such responsibility. School boards may provide such training to other employees, including transportation employees.

 The Board of Education shall provide training standards that school divisions may use to fulfill the requirements of this section.

 That the Board of Education, in consultation with Virginia Commonwealth University, shall develop online training that school divisions may use to fulfill the requirements of § 22.1-298.3 of the Code of Virginia. Such training shall be made available to local school divisions free of charge.

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House Bill 325House Bill 325

Who is the Paraprofessional?Who is the Paraprofessional?A paraprofessional is a school employee who works

under the supervision of a licensed staff member to assist in providing instruction and other services to children, youth, and their families (Adapted from A.L. Pickett, Director for the National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals, City University of New York, 1997).

The prefix "para" means "along side of." Therefore, it is correct to assume that a paraprofessional works along side of an educator.

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““Behavior Management”Behavior Management”1. General Autism Knowledge

2. Environmental Structure and Visual Supports

3. Comprehensive Instructional Programming

4. Communication

5. Social Skills

6. Behavior

7. Sensory Motor Development

8. Independence and Aptitude

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The Development of Online and The Development of Online and Live Training for ParaprofessionalsLive Training for Paraprofessionals

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Considerations for Training Considerations for Training ContentContent

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Considerations for Training Considerations for Training FormatFormat

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Online CourseOnline Course• Course Name:

Autism Spectrum Disorders for Paraprofessionals: Providing Effective Instruction and Supports

• Aligned with Training Standards Approved by Virginia Department of Education

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Training StandardsTraining Standards• Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) National

Standards

• Skill Competencies for Professionals and Paraprofessionals in Virginia Supporting Individuals with Autism Across the Lifespan

• Training Standards for Paraprofessionals who Provide Primary Oversight to Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Online Course FrameworkOnline Course Framework• 5 Modules• Narrated presentations with video

examples• Guided learning activities

oActivity Book (Think about it! Apply it!)oDiscussion Board

• Quiz for each module • Duration = 1 month

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Course ModulesCourse Modules• Module One: Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Module Two: Responsibilities of the Paraprofessional and Description of the Educational Process

• Module Three: Instructional Strategies and Considerations

• Module Four: Social and Communication Strategies

• Module Five: Behavioral Support

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Online Course ActivitiesOnline Course Activities• Participant Interactive Handbook

• Discussion Board

• Case Studies

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Online Survey: 2,200 Respondents

• Areas EvaluatedoVocabulary Acquisition oAttitude o Knowledge Acquisition through Case

Studieso Resources and Activities o Usability of the courseoDemographics

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Areas SurveyedAreas Surveyed• Attitude

• Knowledge Acquisition through Case Studies

• Usefulness of Course

• Resources and Activities

• Demographics

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Attitude Attitude My beliefs have changed significantly: 712 (32.4%)

My beliefs have changed moderately: 563 (25.6%)

My beliefs have changed slightly: 338 (15.4%)

My beliefs have not changed: 578 (26.3%)

I do not agree with this statement: 4 (0.2%)

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Knowledge through Case StudiesKnowledge through Case Studies Characteristics

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I now have significantly more knowledge:

427 (19.6%)

I now have more knowledge: 886 (40.6%)

I now have a little more knowledge:

393 (18.0%)

I already knew the information provided in the course:

470 (21.5%)

I have no knowledge of this information:

6 (0.3%)

Strategies I now have significantly more

knowledge:454 (20.9%)

I now have more knowledge: 826 (37.9%)

I now have a little more knowledge:

454 (20.9%)

I already knew the information provided in the course:

434 (19.9%)

I have no knowledge of this information:

9 (0.4%)

Knowledge through Case StudiesKnowledge through Case Studies Behavior

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I now have significantly more knowledge:

392 (18.0%)

I now have more knowledge: 766 (35.1%)

I now have a little more knowledge:

438 (20.1%)

I already knew the information provided in the course:

572 (26.2%)

I have no knowledge of this information:

12 (0.6%)

Visual Supports I now have significantly more

knowledge:462 (21.1%)

I now have more knowledge: 787 (36.0%)

I now have a little more knowledge:

477 (21.8%)

I already knew the information provided in the course:

456 (20.8%)

I have no knowledge of this information:

6 (0.3%)

Changes in PracticesChanges in Practices• Did content of the course increase their ability to

implement effective supports and strategies with students with ASD.

• 88% strongly agreed or agreed the course did increase implementation

• 2% indicated it did not change practice

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DemographicsDemographics• Educational Level

o Setting: Elementary (55%); Middle (30%); High (15%)o Multiple Settings: 78%

• Experienceo 46% - 10 years + experienceo 18% - 7-9 years

• Educational Backgroundo 45% - Less than 2 years of collegeo 20% High school degree only

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Live TrainingLive TrainingAutism Spectrum Disorder for

Paraprofessionals: Providing Effective Instruction and Support

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Live Training FrameworkLive Training Framework• 3 days

• Held in different locations across Virginia (2-4 times per year based on school division request)

• Case-study based presentation

• Covers Module 1-5 Online Course Contento Plus! Interactive Activitieso Two additional Modules – Introduction and Putting it All Together

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VCU-ACE Certified Trainer VCU-ACE Certified Trainer FrameworkFramework

• 2 days

• Primarily for Division Leaders – those individuals who will carry out professional development in their division

• Purpose: build capacity in divisions and throughout the state

• Fidelity Checklist for Division Leaders

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Highlight: Planning a Highlight: Planning a TripTrip

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Plan A: Taking A TaxiPlan A: Taking A Taxi• Things to consider…

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Plan B: Took Public TransitPlan B: Took Public Transit

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Walkable?Orange Bus Right Over there?

Plan C:Where’s the Hilton?Plan C:Where’s the Hilton?

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Plan D: DASH?Plan D: DASH?

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Plan D = SuccessPlan D = Success

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OH WAIT!OH WAIT!• It’s 11 a.m. and check in is at 3 p.m.

• We have luggage!

• We are hungry!

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Numbers in VirginiaNumbers in Virginia

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Paraprofessionals Trained Paraprofessionals Trained by VCU-ACEby VCU-ACE

6,000 +

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Online Course Completion RateOnline Course Completion Rate

80%

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Feedback from Feedback from ParticipantsParticipants

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• Wise Video

How do We Ensure How do We Ensure Paraprofessionals are Paraprofessionals are

Properly Trained?Properly Trained?

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www.vcuautismcenter.org

Teresa Cogar [email protected] Goodwin [email protected]