washington county school district department of special education pre-employment orientation...
TRANSCRIPT
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 Activities2. 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 that the better trained
paraprofessionals are in performing their duties, the better the ultimate outcome for students with disabilities.
Overview of the Paraprofessional
Employment Process
Paraprofessional Employment Process
Beginning January 1, 2006, anyone interested in employment with the Washington County School District as a Special Education Teacher Assistant/Paraprofessional will be required to complete the following 5 steps:
Paraprofessional Employment Process
Step 1Complete this pre-employment orientation to
increase understanding of the role of a special education paraprofessional.
Paraprofessional Employment Process
Step 2Obtain 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
Paraprofessional Employment Process
Step 3Complete the on-line application.
Your application will be submitted to the Special Education Paraprofessional Specialist and you will be contacted for a selection screening appointment.
Paraprofessional Employment Process
Step 3 continued…
Remember to bring your documentation for meeting the minimum requirements (step 2) to your selection screening interview.
Paraprofessional Employment Process
Step 4“Selection Screening Interview”
During this brief interview with the Paraprofessional Specialist, applicants will be:
1. informed of the current job vacancies 2. asked to state up to 3 preferences
where they would like to be considered.
Paraprofessional Employment Process
Step 5
Your application will be forwarded to the schools with openings that were preferred and you will be contacted by someone from the school 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.
Now you are a paraprofessional!
Upon signing the contract, you will receive a Special Education Welcome Packet
which will include 2 training activities you will be required to complete
as well as other important information for your work as a paraprofessional.
Training Activities
These 2 training activities will provide an introduction to the basic information and skills needed to perform the job.
Training Activities
These activities must be completed within 60 days of signing the employment contract (unless otherwise stated) and include the following:
Training Activities
First training activity:Site Orientation Activity. It will be included in your
Special Education Welcome 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.
Training Activities
Second training activity:
Paraprofessional Training Manual
The Washington County School District
has developed a training manual
specifically for
special education paraprofessionals.
Paraprofessional Training Manual
The manual consists of 6 sections:
1.Employment Information
2.Special Education Policies
3.Behavior Management Strategies
4.Data Collection and Observation
5.Collaborative Processes
Paraprofessional Training Manual
You must complete this activity within 60 days of the start date
on your contract and submit it to the
Department of Special Education at the District Office
Additional Training Activities
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 for all employees.
Additional Training Activities
You may also be required to attend a CPI Training
(Crisis Prevention Intervention).
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.
Continuing Training
In the field of education, it is important for all of us to stay current in best practices and develop and increase our skills. Therefore, training is provided in an on-going process throughout a paraprofessional’s career with the school district.
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.
Continuing Training Modules
Continuing 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 and file management7. Dealing with medical issues8. Effective practices in 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
(No Child Left Behind legislation)
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 district 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 type 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 RIGHT click on the link below to complete this short quiz.
http://bbanks.utips.washk12.orgIt will help you provide documentation that you have viewed this presentation.
It is called:“Para 101 Pre-employment Orientation”
Enter your first and last name then click on “login and start”.
Please answer the questions then click “submit”. You may refer back to the presentation if needed. Your results will be forwarded to the
WCSD Special Education Paraprofessional Specialist.
Good luck !
Contact Information
Barbara BanksParaprofessional Specialist
Department of Special EducationWashington County School District
121 West Tabernacle Street
St. George, UT 84790
435.673.3553 ext. 213