Paraprofessionals are an integral part of the support team for students. They provide academic and behavioral support in the classrooms and on campus, are frequently tasked with collecting data to support the mastery of IEP goals, and sometimes provide important health aid supports to students with exceptionalities. As a special education teacher, you will often be responsible for training, scheduling, and managing the work of paraprofessionals. Your ability to provide the necessary training and clear responsibilities while empowering them to make decisions is crucial to a successful working relationship and meeting the unique needs of the students on your caseload.
Assume you are starting your first year as a special education teacher in the school where you currently work or are most interested in working. You have been assigned a group of five paraprofessionals with whom you will collaborate throughout the year. Your principal has asked you to create a training session that clearly defines paraprofessionals’ roles and responsibilities in working with you, general education teachers, and students with and without exceptionalities. You have been directed to focus on research-based best practices along with legal and ethical guidelines that must be followed.
Using the topic Resources and your own research, develop a 12-15 slide digital presentation that addresses the following:
- Explain the role of the paraprofessional and various school environments in which the paraprofessional will be expected to support students and teachers based on your state and district requirements.
- Explain the daily responsibilities of the paraprofessional related to supporting students with and without exceptionalities. Include a discussion of the best practices and legal considerations from IDEA.
- Explain ethical and legal practices related to the collection, storage, and sharing of data and student information, including in the digital environment (i.e., sending emails and the online gradebook).
- Discuss procedures for interacting with and taking direction from multiple teachers throughout the day and explain procedures that will be used for communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.
- Describe the legal and ethical guidelines surrounding interactions with parents. Include a discussion of what information can be shared and when parents should be referred to teachers and/or the special education case manager.
- Include a title slide, speaker notes, and a reference slide in your presentation.
Support the assignment with a minimum of three scholarly resources.
