getting to know your paraprofessional

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR PARAPROFESSIONAL

Frank Howe, Southeast Regional CoordinatorBeth Eloe-Reep, Southeast Regional Coordinator

Gina Hopper, Associate Director, SESTA

How many paraprofessionals are currently employed in the United States in programs delivering services to students between the ages of 3 and 21?

Standards for Paraprofessionals Supporting Students with

Special Needs

• Refer to page 151 of the Special Education Manual for the standards required to support the programs to which they are assigned.

In any working relationship, there is the potential for

conflict between two people.

Roles and Responsibilities Matrix

• Why must confidentiality be maintained? Federal laws, state regulations, and local policies require it.

CONFIDENTIALITY

CONFIDENTIALITY• Who may have access to written or oral

information about children and their families? Those responsible for the student’s education or welfare

• Each file should MUST have an access log in it.

CONFIDENTIALITY• Who should not have access to information

about the performance level, behavior, program goals and objectives or progress of a student? Those not directly responsible

• Students and their families have the right to expect all personal and educational information will be kept confidential.

Skills and Abilitiesof a Good Supervisor

• Communicate clearly defined roles.• Identify responsibilities which you can

delegate.• Ensure effective teamwork.• Monitor paraprofessional performance

on a daily basis.• Provide ongoing constructive feedback

through coaching and modeling.

Ashbaker and Morgan, 2006

Closing Tip:

Remember: Never ask a paraprofessional to

do something you would not do.

Statewide Special Education Technical Assistance (SESTA)

Center for School Improvement & Policy Studies, BSU

Gina Hopper, Associate Director

ginahopper@boisestate.edu

208.426.4363

www.idahotc.comwww.idahotc.comTraining and Technology for Today’s Tomorrow

• Website to link school professionals and parents with special education training opportunities and resources across the state

• Supported By:– Idaho State

Department of Education (ISDE), Special Education

• Project Team: – Cari Murphy– Shawn Wright

Contact Information:

Frank Howe, SE Regional Coordinator

howefran@isu.edu

208.282.3221

Beth Eloe-Reep, SE Regional Coordinator

eloebeth@isu.edu

208.282.2885