Washington County School District

Department of Special Education

Pre-Employment Orientation

“Paraprofessional 101”

Presentation Outline

This presentation will include:1. An overview of the Paraprofessional

Employment Process and Training Phases2. A definition of a Paraprofessional and a

description of their role in the schools3. A description of the role teachers,

administrators and the Department of Special Education play in supporting paraprofessionals

4. A brief overview of the Special Education Process

Introduction

Known by many different names…teacher assistants, paraeducators,

aides, classroom helpers, mentors… paraprofessionals

are an important component of the service delivery system for educating students with disabilities. Paraprofessionals are called upon to perform a wide range of

duties in the course of their employment.

It has been recognized It has been recognized that the better trained that the better trained

paraprofessionals are in paraprofessionals are in performing their duties, performing their duties, the better the ultimate the better the ultimate outcome for students outcome for students

with disabilities.with disabilities.

Overview of the Paraprofessional Employment Process

Beginning January 1, 2006, anyone interested in employment with the Washington County School District as a Special Education Teacher Assistant/Para Professional will be required to complete the following training modules which consist of 4 phases.

PHASE I Pre-employment Orientation “This is a Special Education Paraprofessional”

Time required: approximately 1 hour prior to interviewPHASE II New Employee Inservice “Introduction to the Basics” Time required: 10-12 hours within 60 days of hirePHASE III Increasing Competence Time required: approximately 1 hour per month…ongoingPHASE IV Skill Building (optional)

Phase I

FIRST

Complete this pre-employment orientation to increase understanding of the role of a paraprofessional.

Requirements for Employment

SECONDObtain documentation that you have met the

following requirements for employment:

Proof of an Associates Degree or

Completion of 48 college semester hours or

A passing score (460) on the Para-Professional Assessment

THIRDYour application will be forwarded to one or more

(up to 3) schools with openings and you will be contacted for an interview.

If selected, the principal will make a “recommendation to hire” to the Human Resource Department.

The H. R. Dept. will contact you in order to extend an offer of employment and to arrange for you to come in and complete the new-hire paperwork and sign the contract.

Upon signing the contract, you will receive a Special Education New-Hire Packet

which will include information for accessing the Washington County School District

Department of Special Education Paraprofessional Training Manual.

Once you have completed these steps, you will be finished with Phase I of the training requirements

Phase II Training

The second phase of the training requirements for paraprofessionals involves a series of activities which will provide an introduction to the basic information and skills needed to perform the job.

Because this Training Phase is required after signing a contract for employment, you may count the time on your time card.

Phase II Training

These activities must be completed within 60 days of signing the employment contract (unless otherwise stated) and include the following:

Phase II Training Activities

The first activity in Phase II is called a Site Orientation Activity. It will be included in your Special Education New-Hire Packet. It is a checklist of activities to complete at the individual school (or schools) to which you have been assigned.

You must complete this activity within 10 days of the start date on your contract and send a copy of it to the Department of Special Education at the District Office.

Phase II Training Activities

Phase II also requires you to attend a CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) Training. You will receive a notice through district mail informing you when you will need to attend this training. Eight hours are required for certification. The training will be held during school hours and you will be paid for the time.

You will also be scheduled to attend the New-Hire Orientation presentation by the Human Resources Department which includes information on district policies and procedures.

Phase III Training

Phase III training is on-going throughout a paraprofessional’s career and provides additional modules to develop specific skills.

Demonstration and documentation of competency will be required.

Training will be delivered by various means, including technology-based presentations such as the one you are engaged in now, workshops, study groups, and peer coaching.

Phase III Training Modules

Phase III training modules will cover such topics as:

1. Behavior Management techniques2. Understanding and implementing IEP goals3. Elements of Data Collection and Tracking4. Elements of Professionalism and Ethical Practices5. Building Rapport with students, teachers, and parents6. Goalview Scribe and File Management7. Dealing with medical issues8. Effective Practices in Education

Phase IV Training

Phase IV training is optional, but available for those who are interested in pursuing a teaching and/or endorsement credential in the area of Special Education.

Now that you have seen an overview of the hiring and training requirements, we would like to show you a little more about what a paraprofessional is and what they do.

What is a Paraprofessional?

Paraprofessionals are to assist and support the teacher in delivering

services to students with disabilities.

The National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals (NCRP) definition of

paraprofessionals is as follows:

PARAPROFESSIONALS are school/agency employees

1) Whose positions are either instructional in nature or who provide other direct services to children and youth and/or their families.

2) Who work under the supervision of teachers or professional practitioners who are responsible for a) the design, implementation, and assessment of learner progress, and b) the evaluation of the effectiveness of learning programs and related services for children and youth and/or their families (Pickett, 1989).

PARAPROFESSIONALS are school/agency employees who assist and support teacher directed instruction (Gerlach, 2003)

The role of a Paraprofessional

…according to NCLB

SPeNSE (Study of Personnel Needs in Special Education)…

Paraprofessional Roles

The following is cited in NCLB as appropriate roles for paraprofessionals

Providing one-on-one tutoring for eligible students; Assisting with classroom management (such as

organizing instructional and other materials); Providing assistance in a computer lab; Providing support in a library or media center; Acting as a translator; Providing, under the direct supervision of a teacher,

instructional services.

Paraprofessional Roles

• The work performed by paraprofessionals will vary depending upon teachers’ expectations, paraprofessionals’ skills and experience, and job assignment.

• Paraprofessionals are primarily responsible for assisting and supporting teachers or other certified or licensed staff.

Major Responsibilities

• Work as a team• Build and maintain effective communication• Maintain student-centered supportive

environments• Implement lessons initiated by the teacher or

related-service personnel• Assess student needs and progress under

teacher direction.

Other important responsibilities

• Learn school policies and procedures• Perform assigned tasks• Support curriculum and instruction• Deal with student behavior• Work with teachers and other supervisors• Assist students with special needs• Obtain training and professional development• Maintain ethics and professionalism

The Department of Special Education has designated the following paraprofessional positions:

Resource ParaprofessionalSevere ParaprofessionalSpeech / Language ParaprofessionalMotor ParaprofessionalPreschool Paraprofessional

The role of the paraprofessional may vary

slightly, depending on which type of position they hold.

Position Description

Resource Paraprofessionals…

assist students from kindergarten through high school who are considered to have mild to moderate disabilities, usually in behavior and academic areas such as math, reading, and written language.

Position Description

Severe Paraprofessionals…

assist students from kindergarten through post high school who are considered to have more severe disabilities. Their disabilities are more obvious and they need more help with personal care, behavior and functional skills.

Position Description

Speech / Language Paraprofessionals…

work under the direction of Speech and Language Pathologists, assisting in providing services to students who have problems such as speech, articulation, oral language, and written language.

Position Description

Motor Paraprofessionals…

work under the direction of Occupational and Physical Therapists, assisting in providing “motor” services that may help students with moderate to severe physical disabilities increase their mobility, strength and flexibility.

Position Description

Preschool Paraprofessionals…

assist children ages 3 to 5 years old who have been identified as having some sort of developmental delay at various district preschool locations throughout the county.

Major Responsibilities of Teachers in supervising paraprofessionals

• Plan the tasks that paras will perform• Develop schedules for paras• Appropriately delegate responsibilities to paras• Monitor the day-to-day performance of paras• Provide feedback and on-the-job training to

paras• Share relevant information about para strengths

and training needs to principals and district Department of SPED

Other Important Responsibilities of Teachers

• Introduce the para to the classroom• Provide clear instructions and complete

information• Assign and delegate tasks• Discuss curriculum and instruction• Discuss student behavior• Promote training and professional development• Give feedback and recognition

The Principal’s Role

The principal and/or other school administrators have the primary responsibility for:

Recruiting, interviewing, and selecting paraprofessionals. Evaluating paraprofessionals and their supervising

teachers. Promoting effective teamwork in the building and within

teacher-paraprofessional teams. Take a leadership role in creating a school climate in

which paraprofessionals have a professional identity. Provide an atmosphere of respect, recognition, and open

communication.

District Support

Designated personnel in the district office have the primary responsibility for:

Recruiting, screening, and hiring paraprofessionals. Developing appropriate job descriptions. Developing appropriate policies for the employment and

training of paraprofessionals. Introduce paraprofessionals to district policies and

procedures. Introduce paraprofessionals to professional

organizations such as the National Education Association (NEA), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)

The Department of Special Education

The Department of SPED will support the Teacher-Paraprofessional team by:

Providing a clearly defined role.

Meeting with all new teachers to make sure they understand their responsibilities in directing the work of paraprofessionals.

Determine what local, state, and federal legal mandates exist for paraprofessional staff development and supervision.

Providing professional development opportunities for paraprofessionals and those who supervise them.

Design a professional development plan for paraprofessionals.

More about

Special Education

and the types of students paraprofessionals assist

The Legal Definition of Special Education

Special Education is specially designed instruction that meets the needs of

exceptional children.

This education may include specialized materials, carefully planned teaching

strategies, and systematically designed learning environments.

In the early 1970's, advocacy groups fought for comprehensive services

for all children emphasizing

the worth and dignity of each

individual.

• There are several types of disabilities that make students eligible for special education services.

• In all cases the disability must adversely affect educational performance.

The various types of disabilities include:

• Autism-affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction

• Communication Disorder-speech/language impairments

• Deaf/Blindness-combination of hearing and visual impairments

Developmental Delay-deficits in physical, cognitive, communication, social or emotional or adaptive development

• Hearing Impairment/Disability-hearing loss

• Other Health Impairment-(could be heart conditions, leukemia, Attention Deficit Disorder, or other diseases)

• Emotional Disturbance-inability to maintain satisfactory relationships, inappropriate types of behavior, unhappiness or depression, or symptoms of fears, or inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors

• Orthopedic Impairment-a severe impairment which adversely affects a student’s educational performance, including impairments such as clubfoot, absence of some member, poliomyelitis, bone tuberculosis, cerebral palsy, amputations, etc.

• Intellectual Disability-subaverage intellectual function with deficits in adaptive behavior

Multiple Disabilities-combination of disabilities (ID with Orthopedic)

• Specific Learning Disability-processing problem that manifests itself in imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations

• Traumatic Brain Injury-closed head injuries that adversely affect student’s educational performance

Visual Impairments-impairment in vision that adversely affects educational performance

Principles which guide the Special Education process:

1. Student and parent rights

Student and parent rights revolve around 3 basic concepts:

Consent

Participation

Confidentiality

Principles which guide the Special Education process:

2. Equal Access

This means access to a free, appropriate, public education for all students regardless of their ability to participate in educational experiences.

Principles which guide the Special Education process:

3. Right to Service

This principle asserts the right of a student with disabilities to receive services which promote growth towards increased independence and competence.

Principles which guide the Special Education process:

4. Respect for Dignity

It is the intent that students with disabilities be afforded the same degree of dignity and respect that is afforded other students.

Principles which guide the Special Education process:

5. Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

This principle demands that each student with disabilities receive appropriate services in environments that promote interaction with non-disabled peers to the maximum extent possible to that student’s needs.

The Special Education Process

There are several steps in the process of how a student is identified as having a disability

The Special Education Process

Students go through a child-centered educational process to receive special education services.

It is call “child-centered” because the major goal is to meet each student’s individual educational needs.

The Special Education Process

When a student is referred for consideration for special education services, the following steps are taken.

• Parents are asked if they consent to having the student tested.

• If so, a comprehensive individual assessment (testing) is completed, and parents have the right to be part of this process.

• Then a multidisciplinary team meeting is held at which time the parents are invited to participate.

The Special Education Process

If a student is eligible for and needs special education services, the following additional steps are taken.

• An individualized education program (IEP) is developed.

• The IEP is reviewed at least annually.• Assessment data and eligibility

determination is reviewed at least every 3 years.

More about the IEP

(Individualized Education Program)

IEP

• The IEP is based on the student’s current skills, abilities, and educational needs that were identified during the testing process.

• It describes:– Which services the student needs– How the services will be provided

IEP

• The IEP must be developed before special education services can be provided.

• It must be implemented as soon as possible after it has been developed.

IEP

The IEP includes measurable goals to enable the student to be

involved and progress in the general education curriculum.

IEP

The IEP also indicates if there are any “related service” needs as determined by testing.

Related services may include transportation, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, visual therapy, provision of adaptive equipment, etc.

IEP

• Extended School Year services are indicated for certain eligible students.

• ESY services are individualized instructional programs that extend beyond the traditional school year (summer).

• Some paraprofessionals may be asked to work during ESY to assist in providing services to students.

IEP

Paraprofessionals play an important role in the IEP process.

Not only do they assist in providing instruction to students, they will collect data and information that is crucial to teachers in making educational decisions regarding the students.

Hopefully this presentation has

helped you become more familiar with paraprofessionals,

what they do,

and how important they are.

Now, please complete this short quiz. It will help you provide documentation that you have viewed this presentation. You may refer back to the presentation if needed.

Answer the questions and submit a copy to the WCSD Human Resources Dept along with documentation of meeting the minimum educational requirements (Associate’s Degree, 48 college credit hours, or a passing score on the ParaPro Assessment). Good luck !

Quiz

Instructions:

First, number your paper from 1 to 10.

Quiz Question 1

What is your full name and phone number?

Quiz Question 2

Write “true” or “false” in response to:

There are 10 Training Phases for paraprofessionals in the Washington County School District.

Quiz Question 3

Write “true” or “false” in response to:

This presentation is part of Phase I of paraprofessional training.

Quiz Question 4

Write “true” or “false” in response to:

The following is considered the paraprofessionals role or responsibility:

“Work as a team”

Quiz Question 5

Write “true” or “false” in response to:

The following is considered the paraprofessionals role or responsibility:

“Design a professional development

plan for paraprofessionals”.

Quiz Question 6

Write “true” or “false” in response to:

The following is considered the paraprofessionals role or responsibility:

“Implement lessons initiated by the teacher”.

Quiz Question 7

Write “true” or “false” in response to:

The following is considered the paraprofessionals role or responsibility:

“Write IEP goals for students with disabilities”.

Quiz Question 8

Write “true” or “false” in response to:

The following is considered the paraprofessionals role or responsibility:

“Deal with student behavior”.

Quiz Question 9

Write “true” or “false” in response to:

The following is considered the paraprofessionals role or responsibility:

“Obtain training and professional development”.

Quiz Question 10

Write “true” or “false” in response to:

The following is considered the paraprofessionals role or responsibility:

“Monitor day-to-day performance of teachers.”

Answers

1. your name

2. False

3. True

4. True

5. False

6. True

7. False

8. True

9. True

10. False

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