Paraprofessional Training: Is it Currently Best Practice?

• 1. Paraprofessional Training: Is it Currently Best Practice?
  Paraprofessionals As Educators
  Differing Perceptions, Responsibilities and Training
  Jeri Katz, DEd.
  Professor
  Bridgewater State University
  Bridgewater, Massachusetts
  Jennifer A Boudreau, Ed.S.
  Doctoral Candidate
  Northeastern University
  Boston, Massachusetts
  

2. Agenda
Paraprofessionals
Problem of Practice
Research Questions
Overview of Literature
Current Research Study
Research Aspirations
Questions
3. Paraprofessionals
4. Paraprofessionals Are School Employees
Work under the supervision of teachers or other professionals
Have responsibility for
A) Identifying learner needs
B) Developing and implementing programs to meet these needs
C) Assessing learner performance
D) Evaluating the effectiveness of education programs and
related services
E) Assisting with the delivery of direct services as assigned and developed by their supervisors
(Pickett, 2002)
5. a rose by any other name

• Paraeducator

6. Paraprofessional 7. Teacher Assistant 8. Teacher Aide 9. ParaThere are over 21 titlesfor paraprofessionals
What would you want your title to be?
10. Qualification Requirements For Instructional Paraprofessionals In Massachusetts
Instructional Paraprofessionals in Title 1 follow the NCLB guidelines.Special Education paraprofessionals are required to have:
A high school diploma or equivalent; AND
An Associates (or higher) degree; OR
Completion of 48 credit hours at an Institution of Higher Education; OR
Completion of one of the formal Massachusetts-endorsed Assessments:Parapro or WorkKeys
Paraprofessionals must also work under the direct supervision of a teacher.
(DESE, 2003)
11. Paraprofessionals: Special Education In Massachusetts
NCLB guidelines are followed
No specialized training is required
Training is generally on the job
Increasing numbers are 1:1 aides
There are issues in many districts regarding supervision and training of special education paraprofessionals
There is no credentialing of instructional paraprofessionals
Teachers do not receive specific training regarding paraprofessionals
12. How Does MA Compare To Other States?
Only 12 states have professional development programs for paraprofessionals:

• Delaware

13. Georgia 14. Hawaii 15. Idaho 16. Michigan 17. Mississippi 18. New Hampshire 19. New Mexico 20. New York 21. Ohio 22. Rhode Island 23. (Pennsylvania)