Archived: Paraeducators : The Oregon Resource Guide to Paraeducator Issues

Paraeducator Resources

Publications

The following publications have been divided into a variety of categories/ topics to help focus your search for the most relevant publications based on the topics that may be of most interest to you. Because the field of Special Education has been at the forefront in the development of paraeducator issues and concerns many of the publications that are currently available may have a special emphasis or utility for special educators. In our judgment we have tried to focus on publications that may provide very useful information that will pertain to paraeducators in general. Our categories are the following: College Programs for Paraeducators, Management and Supervision of Paraeducators, Paraeducator Roles and Responsibilities, Professional Development and Training of Paraeducators, Paraeducators and Special Education, and Teacher-focused Paraeducator Resources.

College Programs and Career Ladders for Paraeducators

Blalock, G., Rivera, D., Anderson, K., & Kottler, B. (1992). A school district/university partnership in paraprofessional training. LD Forum, 17(3), 29-36.

French, N.K., and Cabell, E.A. (1993). Are community college programs for paraeducators feasible? Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 17(2), 131-140.

Nittoli, J.M., & Giloth, R.P. (1997). New careers revisited: Paraprofessional job creation for low-income communities. Social Policy, 28(2), 44-61.

Villegas, A.M., & Clewell, B.C. (1998). Increasing teacher diversity by tapping the paraprofessional pool. Theory into Practice, 37(2), 121-130.

Management and Supervision of Paraeducators

Demchak, M. A. & Morgan, C.R. (1998). Effective collaboration between professionals and paraprofessionals. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 17 (1), 10-15.

Dover, W. (2000). The classroom teacher's guide for working with paraeducators. Video. National Professional Resources, Inc.

French, Nancy K. (2003). Managing paraeducators in your school: How to hire, train, and supervise non-certified staff. Thousand Oaks: Corwin Press, Inc.

Gerlach, K. (2001). Let's team up: A checklist for Paraeducators, Teachers, and Principals. Washington, DC: National Education Association of the United States.

Giangreco, M.F., Edelman, S.W., & Broer, S.M. (2002). Schoolwide planning to improve paraeducator supports. Burlington, VT: Center on Disability and Community Inclusion, University of Vermont.

Katsiyannis, A., Hodge, J., & Lanford, A. (2000). Paraeducators: legal and practice considerations. Remedial and Special Education, 21(5), 297-304.

Morgan, J., & Ashbaker, B.Y. (2001). A teacher's guide to working with paraeducators and other classroom aides. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Morgan, J., & Ashbaker, B.Y. (2001). 20 ways to work more effectively with your paraeducator. Intervention in School and Clinic, 36(4), 230-231.

Pickett, A.L., & Gerlach, K. (2003). Supervising Paraeducators in Educational Settings: A Team Approach, Second Edition.. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.

Wallace, T., Shin, J., Bartholomay, T., Stahl, B. (2001). Knowledge and skills for teachers supervising the work of paraprofessionals. Exceptional Children, 67, 520-533.

Paraeducator Roles and Responsibilities

Blalock, G. (1991). Paraprofessionals: Critical team members in our special education programs. Intervention in School and Clinic, 26(4), 200-214.

Daniels, V.I. & McBride, A. (2001). Paraeducators as critical team members: Redefining roles and responsibilities. NASSP Bulletin (85) 623, 66-74.

Demchak, M. A. & Morgan, C.R. (1998). Effective collaboration between professionals and paraprofessionals. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 17 (1), 10-15.

Leighton, M.S., O'Brien, E., Walking Eagle, K., Weiner, L., Wimberly, G., & Youngs, P. (1997). Roles for education paraprofessionals in effective schools: An idea book. Washington, DC: Policy Studies Associates.

LeTendre, M.J. (1998). Paraprofessionals: A resource for tomorrow's teachers. Journal of Education for Students Placed At Risk, 3(2), 107-110.

Pickett, A. L. (1999). Strengthening and supporting teacher/providerparaeducator teams: Guidelines for paraeducator roles, supervision, and preparation. New York, New York: City University of New York, National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals in Education and Related Services.

Tweit-Hull, T., Villalobos, P., & York, C. (2001). The paraprofessional's role in inclusive classrooms [Video and manual]. Sacramento: California Department of Education.

U.S. Department of Education (1997). Roles for education paraprofessionals in effective schools: An idea book. Washington, DC: Author.

Professional Development and Training of Paraeducators

Blalock, G., Rivera, D., Anderson, K., & Kottler, B. (1992). A school district/university partnership in paraprofessional training. LD Forum, 17(3), 29-36.

French, N.K., and Cabell, E.A. (1993). Are community college programs for paraeducators feasible? Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 17(2), 131-140.

Harper, V. (1994). Multicultural perspectives in the classroom: Professional preparation for educational paraprofessionals. Action in Teacher Education, XVI(3), 66-78.

Morgan, J., Ashbaker, B.Y., & Allred, D. (2000). Providing training for paraeducators: What motivates them to attend? The Researcher: A Publication of the Northern Rocky Mountain Educational Research Association 15(1), 50-55.

Passaro, P. D., Pickett, A. L., Latham, G., & HongBo, W. (1994). The training ands support needs of paraprofessionals in rural and special education. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 13(4), 3-9.

Morgan, J., & Hofmeister, A.M. (1997). Staff development curricula for the paraeducator: Observations from the research. CASE in Point 10(2), 37-41.

Paraeducators and Special Education

Blalock, G. (1991). Paraprofessionals: Critical team members in our special education programs. Intervention in School and Clinic, 26(4), 200-214.

Katsiyannis, A., Hodge, J., & Lanford, A. (2000). Paraeducators: legal and practice considerations. Remedial and Special Education, 21(5), 297-304.

Morgan, J., & Ashbaker, B.Y. (2001). 20 ways to work more effectively with your paraeducator. Intervention in School and Clinic, 36(4), 230-231.

Palma, G. M. (1994). Toward a positive and effective teacher and paraprofessional relationship. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 13(4), 46- 48.

Riggs, C. G. & Mueller, P.H. (2001). Employment and utilization of paraeducators in inclusive settings. The Journal of Special Education 35(1), 54-62.

Salzberg, C.L., & Morgan, J. (1995). Preparing teachers to work with paraeducators. Teacher Education and Special Education, 18, 49-55.

Steckelberg, A.L., & Vasa, S.F. (1998). How paraeducators learn on the web. Teaching Exceptional Children, 30(5), 54-59.

Tweit-Hull, T., Villalobos, P., & York, C. (2001). The paraprofessional's role in inclusive classrooms [Video and manual]. Sacramento: California Department of Education.

Wadsworth, D. E., Knight, D. (1996). Paraprofessionals: The Bridge to Successful Full Inclusion. Intervention in School and Clinic, 31(3), 166-171.

Teacher-focused Paraeducator Resources

Dover, W. (2000). The classroom teacher's guide for working with paraeducators. Video. National Professional Resources, Inc.

Gerlach, K. (2001). Let's team up: A checklist for Paraeducators, Teachers, and Principals. Washington, DC: National Education Association of the United States.

LeTendre, M.J. (1998). Paraprofessionals: A resource for tomorrow's teachers. Journal of Education for Students Placed At Risk, 3(2), 107-110.

Lindeman, D.P., & Beegle, G.P. (1988). Pre-service teacher training and use of the classroom paraprofessional: A national survey. Teacher Education and Special Education, 11(4), 183-186.

Morgan, J., & Ashbaker, B.Y. (2001). A teacher's guide to working with paraeducators and other classroom aides. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Morgan, J., & Ashbaker, B.Y. (2001). 20 ways to work more effectively with your paraeducator. Intervention in School and Clinic, 36(4), 230-231.

Palma, G. M. (1994). Toward a positive and effective teacher and paraprofessional relationship. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 13(4), 46- 48.

Salzberg, C.L., & Morgan, J. (1995). Preparing teachers to work with paraeducators. Teacher Education and Special Education, 18, 49-55.

Wallace, T., Shin, J., Bartholomay, T., Stahl, B. (2001). Knowledge and skills for teachers supervising the work of paraprofessionals. Exceptional Children, 67, 520-533.

Web Resources

Assessment of Paraeducators

Kentucky Paraeducator Assessment Study Guide
The Kentucky Paraeducator Assessment Study Guide is a tool to prepare potential Kentucky paraeducators for the interim assessment, which will be replaced by a more formal assessment early in 2003.
The Interdisciplinary Human Development Institute
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506

Diversity, Multicultural, and ELL and Paraeducators

How Paraeducators Build Cultural Bridges In Diverse Classrooms
This article examines how paraeducators can use the "funds of knowledge" available in culturally diverse families and communities to build bridges between the home cultures of students and the cultures of their schools.
Center for Multilingual, Multicultural Research
Rossier School of Education
University of Southern California
Waite Phillips Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0031

National Clearinghouse for Paraeducator Resources
The National Clearinghouse for Paraeducator Resources offers a number of electronic resources useful to paraeducators as well as link to other websites.
Center for Multilingual, Multicultural Research
Rossier School of Education
University of Southern California
Waite Phillips Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0031

Para-Educators: A Source for Remedying the Shortage of Teachers for Limited English- Proficient Students
This article suggests bilingual paraeducators are a promising source of bilingual teachers. It discusses possible barriers and support to the process of preparing this potential work force to take its place among the ranks of the nation's teachers.
National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition and Language Instruction
Educational Programs
George Washington University
2121 K Street NW Suite 260
Washington DC 20037
Phone: 1-800-321-6223

The PAR²A Center
The Center provides the Paraeducator Supervision Academy, comprehensive curriculum packages for paraeducators serving English Language Learners, students with lowincidence disabilities, and many more professional development opportunities.
University of Colorado at Denver
1380 Lawrence St., Suite 650
Denver, CO 80204
Phone: (303) 556-6464
Fax: (303) 556-6142

Paraeducator Roles, Standards and Competencies

American Federation of Teachers Paraprofessional and School-Related Personnel
Offers current information on the status of state efforts to assist paraprofessionals in meeting the education requirements of Title I of the No Child Left Behind Act.
American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO
555 New Jersey Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-4400

National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals
National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals in Education and Related Services (NRCP) was created in 1979 with funding from the Bureau of Education for the Handicapped (currently, the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs). Technical assistance and training is available through the center on a fee-forservice basis. The NRCP has published recommended paraeducator standards sometimes referred to as the “national paraeducator standards.” Under Paraeducator materials look for their manual Strengthening and Supporting Teacher/Provider-Paraeducator Teams: Guidelines for Paraeducator Roles, Supervision, and Preparation (1999). Order through the NRCP or call (435)-797-7272.
Utah State University
Logan, UT 84322-6526
Phone: (435) 797-7272

Recommendations for Paraeducator Competencies and Training
The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction Special Education in Washington state has funded the Paraeducator Project with the objective of developing competencies for special education paraeducators working in educational settings. An advisory group was established and has developed a recommended list of competencies with statewide input gathered from meetings with paraeducators, Educational Service District and local school district personnel, families, and other groups. This set of standards describes the environment to support the effective employment of paraeducators in public schools. When these standards are met, paraeducators will effectively support and extend instruction and services, thereby increasing student learning. Included are the Washington State core competencies for paraeducators.
The Washington Education Association
P.O. Box 9100
Federal Way, WA 98063-9100
Phone: 1-800-622-3393

Roles for Education Paraprofessionals in Effective Schools
This comprehensive report for the U.S. Department of Education suggests that paraeducators can provide strong, multidimensional support for students' academic success. In many communities, paraeducators serve as advocates and coaches for students and families whose status as new immigrants or migrant workers may pose challenges to students' academic progress.
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-0498

Planning, Policy Development, Professional Development, and Support for Paraeducators

By Request...Working Together for Successful Paraeducator Services
The booklet aims to help school staffs learn more about the role paraeducators play in schools. Along with ideas on making paraeducators successful members of the instructional team, the booklet briefly looks at what four schools are doing with paraeducators, each employing them in different ways, and illustrating the common factors creating success.
Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
101 SW Main, Suite 500
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: (503) 275-9500
E-mail: info@nwrel.org

Designing State and Local Policies for the Professional Development of Instructional Paraeducators
This report is a general guide to state and local education agencies that are designing policies for paraeducator development. Resources for possible standards and guidelines are suggested for states and local educational agencies exploring how to appropriately train their paraeducators. Information about post-secondary educational programs and the current scope of paraeducator training and employment are also presented.
Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
101 SW Main, Suite 500
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: (503) 275-9500
E-mail: info@nwrel.org

Guide to Schoolwide Planning for Paraeducator Supports
Center on Disability and Community Inclusion
The University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD)
University of Vermont
101 Cherry Street, Ste. 450
Burlington, VT 05401-4439
Phone: (802) 656-4031
Fax: (802) 656-1357

Minnesota Paraprofessional Consortium
The Minnesota Paraprofessional Consortium including teachers and paraprofessionals from local school districts, and individuals from state agencies, unions, and institutions of higher education. These individuals have provided guidance to a variety of activities designed to support and enhance Minnesota's paraprofessional workforce.
University of Minnesota
111 Pattee Hall; 150 Pillsbury Drive SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: (612) 624-9893

National Clearinghouse for Paraeducator Resources The National Clearinghouse for Paraeducator Resources offers a number of electronic resources useful to paraeducators as well as link to other websites.
Center for Multilingual, Multicultural Research
Rossier School of Education
University of Southern California
Waite Phillips Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0031

Northern Trails Area Education Agency
The Northern Trails Area Education Agency provides support to local school districts in the state of Iowa. In addition to the programs and services the agency provides, their website offers resource links for paraeducators.
Box M
Clear Lake, IA 50428
Phone: (641) 357-6125

Paraeducator Issues: Paraeducators Helping Kids Shine
The Washington Education Association
P.O. Box 9100
Federal Way, WA 98063-9100
Phone: 1-800-622-3393

Paraprofessionals in the Education Workforce
This article suggests that despite increased reliance on paraeducators in roles that have become more demanding, frequently they are the forgotten members of the instructional team. The first section is concerned with the present and frames the issues confronting the field with regard to the training and utilization of paraprofessionals. The second section outlines future needs of the field.
National Education Association
1201 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 833-4000
Fax: (202) 822-7974

Special Education

Center on Disability and Community Inclusion
This website provides information related to the development, implementation, and evaluation of models for the effective use of paraeducators to support students with disabilities in general education classes.
Center on Disability and Community Inclusion
The University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD)
University of Vermont
101 Cherry Street, Ste. 450
Burlington, VT 05401-4439
Phone: (802) 656-4031
Fax: (802) 656-1357

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
The CEC is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides continual professional development, advocates for newly and historically underserved individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.
1110 North Glebe Road, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: (703) 620-3660 or TTY (703) 264-9446
Fax: (703) 264-9494
E-mail: service@cec.sped.org

Listservs for Paraeducators

The Paraeducator Electronic Forum
Listserv Address: PARAED-L@usc.edu
Provides a vehicle for discussion of topics such as, but not limited to: paraeducator professional development, paraeducator career pathways to teacher certification, paraeducator work conditions and job responsibilities. This list is open for subscription and open for posting.
Center for Multilingual, Multicultural Research
Rossier School of Education
University of Southern California
Waite Phillips Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0031

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