MODULE DESCRIPTION:

This module is designed for use by paraprofessionals seeking information about resources for training and professional development.

The first section includes clarifying an understanding of federal (NCLB) and State of Indiana laws that define “highly qualified paraprofessional”.

The second section involves reading the Narrative and exploring a variety of resources to assist paraprofessionals in identifying and examining critical issues pertaining to their roles and responsibilities in educational settings including:

I. RESOURCES FOR MODULAR TRAINING
II. BIBLIOGRAPHIES
III. ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
IV. VIDEOS
V. ORGANIZATIONS
VI. INTERNET RESOURCES FOR PARAEDUCATORS
VII. TV TRAINING PROGRAMS

The third section prompts creation of an individualized training and/or personalized professional development plan for a paraprofessional.

INSTRUCTIONAL PROFICIENCIES:
 

Begin creating or adding to your knowledge base of federal and state laws by reading the legal basis for highly qualified paraprofessionals.

FEDERAL LAW

Here is the legislation from ESEA 2002 (NCLB) regarding
Issues for Highly Qualified Paraprofessionals:

SEC. 1119. QUALIFICATIONS FOR TEACHERS AND PARAPROFESSIONALS.

(a) TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS AND MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES-

(c) NEW PARAPROFESSIONALS-

(1) IN GENERAL- Each local educational agency receiving assistance under this part shall ensure that all paraprofessionals hired after the date of enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and working in a program supported with funds under this part shall have

(A) completed at least 2 years of study at an institution of higher education;
(B) obtained an associate's (or higher) degree; or
(C) met a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate, through a formal State or local academic assessment —

(i) knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics; or
(ii) knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness, as appropriate.

(2) CLARIFICATION- The receipt of a secondary school diploma (or its recognized equivalent) shall be necessary but not sufficient to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (1)(C).

(d) EXISTING PARAPROFESSIONALS- Each local educational agency receiving assistance under this part shall ensure that all paraprofessionals hired before the date of enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, and working in a program supported with funds under this part shall, not later than 4 years after the date of enactment satisfy the requirements of subsection (c).
(e) EXCEPTIONS FOR TRANSLATION AND PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES- Subsections (c) and (d) shall not apply to a paraprofessional —

(1) who is proficient in English and a language other than English and who provides services primarily to enhance the participation of children in programs under this part by acting as a translator; or
(2) whose duties consist solely of conducting parental involvement activities consistent with section 1118.

(f) GENERAL REQUIREMENT FOR ALL PARAPROFESSIONALS- Each local educational agency receiving assistance under this part shall ensure that all paraprofessionals working in a program supported with funds under this part, regardless of the paraprofessionals' hiring date, have earned a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent.
(g) DUTIES OF PARAPROFESSIONALS-

(1) IN GENERAL- Each local educational agency receiving assistance under this part shall ensure that a paraprofessional working in a program supported with funds under this part is not assigned a duty inconsistent with this subsection.
(2) RESPONSIBILITIES PARAPROFESSIONALS MAY BE ASSIGNED- A paraprofessional described in paragraph (1) may be assigned —

(A) to provide one-on-one tutoring for eligible students, if the tutoring is scheduled at a time when a student would not otherwise receive instruction from a teacher;
(B) to assist with classroom management, such as organizing instructional and other materials;
(C) to provide assistance in a computer laboratory;
(D) to conduct parental involvement activities;
(E) to provide support in a library or media center;
(F) to act as a translator; or
(G) to provide instructional services to students in accordance with paragraph (3).

(3) ADDITIONAL LIMITATIONS- A paraprofessional described in paragraph (1) —

(A) may not provide any instructional service to a student unless the paraprofessional is working under the direct supervision of a teacher consistent with section 1119; and
(B) may assume limited duties that are assigned to similar personnel who are not working in a program supported with funds under this part, including duties beyond classroom instruction or that do not benefit participating children, so long as the amount of time spent on such duties is the same proportion of total work time as prevails with respect to similar personnel at the same school.

(h) USE OF FUNDS- A local educational agency receiving funds under this part may use such funds to support ongoing training and professional development to assist teachers and paraprofessionals in satisfying the requirements of this section.
(i) VERIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE-

(1) IN GENERAL- In verifying compliance with this section, each local educational agency, at a minimum, shall require that the principal of each school operating a program under section 1114 or 1115 attest annually in writing as to whether such school is in compliance with the requirements of this section.
(2) AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION- Copies of attestations under paragraph (1) —

(A) shall be maintained at each school operating a program under section 1114 or 1115 and at the main office of the local educational agency; and
(B) shall be available to any member of the general public on request.
 

(j) COMBINATIONS OF FUNDS- Funds provided under this part that are used for professional development purposes may be combined with funds provided under title II of this Act, other Acts, and other sources.
(k) SPECIAL RULE- Except as provided in subsection (l), no State educational agency shall require a school or a local educational agency to expend a specific amount of funds for professional development activities under this part, except that this paragraph shall not apply with respect to requirements under section 1116(c)(3).
(l) MINIMUM EXPENDITURES- Each local educational agency that receives funds under this part shall use not less than 5 percent, or more than 10 percent, of such funds for each of fiscal years 2002 and 2003, and not less than 5 percent of the funds for each subsequent fiscal year, for professional development activities to ensure that teachers who are not highly qualified become highly qualified not later than the end of the 2005-2006 school year.

http://www.ed.gov/admins/tchrqual/qual/hqp/edlite-index.html

Click on the above link to view a Powerpoint presentation highlighting the key aspects of highly qualified paraprofessionals. Click on the first slide title to begin the slideshow presentation. Then click on “Next” under each slide to advance each slide of the presentation.

INDIANA LAW

The following are excerpts from Indiana law and regulations

511 IAC 7-17-56 Paraprofessional:

Sec. 56. A paraprofessional means an individual who works under the supervision and direction of licensed teachers or related services personnel to assist in areas that relate to personal, social and instructional needs. The term includes, but is not limited to the following:

(1) school bus monitors
(2) interpreters
(3) note-takers
(4) job coaches

721

2C-1 Public agency shall provide preservice/inservice training in the
following areas –

A. Role of paraprofessional related to role of the professional person providing, supervision and direction
B. Specific skills necessary to carry out assigned responsibilities
C. Information on the specific special needs and characteristics of students with whom the paraprofessional is working
D. Information on special education procedures, including the confidentiality of personally identifiable information

INSTRUCTIONAL EVENTS:

1. Task #1 - Read the narrative section.
2. Task #2 - Explore a variety of resources
3. Task #3 - Design or evaluate training for paraprofessionals that addresses identified critical elements for successful performance.