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Washington County School District

Washington County School District. Department of Special Education Pre-Employment Orientation “Paraprofessional 101”. Presentation Outline. This presentation will include: An overview of the Paraprofessional Employment Process and Training Phases

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Washington County School District

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  1. Washington County School District Department of Special Education Pre-Employment Orientation “Paraprofessional 101”

  2. Presentation Outline This presentation will include: • An overview of the Paraprofessional Employment Process and Training Phases • A definition of a Paraprofessional and a description of their role in the schools • A description of the role teachers, administrators and the Department of Special Education play in supporting paraprofessionals • A brief overview of the Special Education Process

  3. 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.

  4. It has been recognized that the better trained paraprofessionals are in performing their duties, the better the ultimate outcome for students with disabilities.

  5. 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 interview PHASE II New Employee Inservice “Introduction to the Basics” Time required: 10-12 hours within 60 days of hire PHASE III Increasing Competence Time required: approximately 1 hour per month…ongoing PHASE IV Skill Building (optional)

  6. Phase I FIRST Complete this pre-employment orientation to increase understanding of the role of a paraprofessional.

  7. Requirements for Employment SECOND Obtain 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

  8. THIRD Your 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.

  9. 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.

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

  11. 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.

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

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. Phase III Training Modules Phase III training modules will cover such topics as: 1. Behavior Management techniques 2. Understanding and implementing IEP goals 3. Elements of Data Collection and Tracking 4. Elements of Professionalism and Ethical Practices 5. Building Rapport with students, teachers, and parents 6. Goalview Scribe and File Management 7. Dealing with medical issues 8. Effective Practices in Education

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. What is aParaprofessional? Paraprofessionals are to assist and support the teacher in delivering services to students with disabilities.

  20. The National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals (NCRP) definition of paraprofessionals is as follows: PARAPROFESSIONALS are school/agency employees • Whose positions are either instructional in nature or who provide other direct services to children and youth and/or their families. • 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)

  21. The role of a Paraprofessional …according to NCLB SPeNSE (Study of Personnel Needs in Special Education)…

  22. 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.

  23. 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.

  24. 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.

  25. 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

  26. The Department of Special Education has designated the following paraprofessional positions: • Resource Paraprofessional • Severe Paraprofessional • Speech / Language Paraprofessional • Motor Paraprofessional • Preschool Paraprofessional

  27. The role of the paraprofessional may vary slightly, depending on which type of position they hold.

  28. 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.

  29. 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.

  30. Position Description • Speech / LanguageParaprofessionals… 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.

  31. 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.

  32. 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.

  33. 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

  34. 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

  35. 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.

  36. 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)

  37. 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.

  38. More about Special Education and the types of students paraprofessionals assist

  39. 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.

  40. In the early 1970's, advocacy groups fought for comprehensive services for all children emphasizing the worth and dignity of each individual.

  41. There are several types of disabilities that make students eligible for special education services. • In all cases the disability must adversely affect educational performance.

  42. 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

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

  44. Hearing Impairment/Disability-hearing loss • Other Health Impairment-(could be heart conditions, leukemia, Attention Deficit Disorder, or other diseases)

  45. 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

  46. 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.

  47. Intellectual Disability-subaverage intellectual function with deficits in adaptive behavior

  48. Multiple Disabilities-combination of disabilities (ID with Orthopedic)

  49. Specific LearningDisability-processing problem that manifests itself in imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations • Traumatic BrainInjury-closed head injuries that adversely affect student’s educational performance

  50. Visual Impairments-impairment in vision that adversely affects educational performance

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