More than 525,000 people serve as educational paraprofessionals in the United States (Likins, 2003). Due to the large number of paraprofessionals, their recruitment, hiring, training, and supervision has received increased emphasis. This article summarizes current legislation regarding the roles and responsibilities of paraeducators, and methods and ideas are suggested for preparing and managing paraeducators.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
French, N.K. (2001). Supervising paraprofessionals: A survey of teacher practices. The Journal of Special Education, 35(1), 41—53.
2.
French, N.K. (2003). Management of paraeducators. In A. L. Pickett & K. Gerlach (Eds.), Supervising paraeducators in educational settings: A team approach (2nd ed., pp. 97—171). Austin: PRO-ED.
3.
IDEA Partnerships. (2001). Paraprofessional initiative: Report to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved April 18, 2003, from www.ideapractices.org
4.
Likins, M. (2003). NCLB implications for paraprofessionals. Principal Leadership (Middle Sch Ed), 3(5), 10—13.
Pickett, A. L., & Gerlach, K. (Eds.). (2003). Supervising paraeducators in educational settings: A team approach (2nd ed.). Austin: PRO-ED.
7.
Pickett, A.L., Linkins, M., & Wallace, T. (2003). The employment & preparation of paraeducators . New York: National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals. Retrieved April 18, 2003, from www.nrcpara.org
8.
Riggs, C.G., & Mueller, P.H. (2001). Employment and utilization of paraeducators in inclusive settings. The Journal of Special Education, 35(1), 54—62.
9.
U.S. Department of Education. (2002). Title I paraprofessionals: Draft non-regulatory guidance. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved April 18, 2003, from www.ed/gov/offices/OESE/SASA/paraguidance.pdf
10.
Vasa, S., Steckelberg, A., & Pickett, A.L. (2003). Paraeducators in educational settings: Administrative issues. In A. L. Pickett & K. Gerlach (Eds.), Supervising paraeducators in educational settings: A team approach (2nd ed., pp. 255—288). Austin: PRO-ED.
