ERIC Number: ED438636
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1999-Dec
Pages: 4
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Paraeducators: Factors That Influence Their Performance, Development, and Supervision. ERIC Digest E587.
Pickett, Anna Lou
This digest is concerned with the need to develop standards and infrastructure for improving the employment, placement, preparation, and supervision of paraeducators in inclusive general and special education classrooms, Title I, multilingual/English as a Second Language, and early childhood programs. It discusses teacher responsibilities for directing and integrating paraeducators, and the need for policies and infrastructures to strengthen teacher and paraeducator teams. A list of essential policy questions that are central to the conceptualization and implementation of a comprehensive system for professional development for paraeducators is provided. Questions address: (1) the identification of the roles of paraeducators; (2) standards for preparing paraeducators; (3) credentialing systems; (4) standards for the supervision of paraeducators; (5) the impact of federal, state, and local mandates and funding on the employment, training, and supervision of paraeducators; and (6) the current roles of different educational institutions and parents in setting standards for paraeducator utilization, development, credentialing, and supervision. The digest concludes by calling for different governmental and non-governmental organizations to form partnerships to address these policy questions, and work in concert to develop and maintain infrastructures that will ensure that both teachers and paraeducators are appropriately and effectively prepared for their roles and responsibilities. (CR)
Descriptors: Credentials, Disabilities, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Secondary Education, English (Second Language), Inclusive Schools, Paraprofessional School Personnel, Performance Factors, Policy Formation, Qualifications, Staff Development, Supervision, Teacher Role, Teamwork
ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education, The Council for Exceptional Children, 1920 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1589. Tel: 800-328-0272 (Toll Free); e-mail: ericec@cec.sped.org. For full text: http://ericec.org/digests/e587.htm.
Publication Type: ERIC Publications; ERIC Digests in Full Text
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Office of Educational Research and Improvement (ED), Washington, DC.
Authoring Institution: ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education, Reston, VA.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A