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A Guide to Co-Teaching With Paraeducators
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A Guide to Co-Teaching With Paraeducators
Practical Tips for K-12 Educators



August 2008 | 144 pages | Corwin

"This book provides a valuable resource for the best utilization of paraeducators in the classroom, with tips and tools for making this a successful process."
—Melissa Miller, Science Teacher
Lynch Middle School, Farmington, AR

"Easy to read and understand, this book contains many examples, resources, and up-to-date information pertinent to the role of paraeducators."
—Mari Gates, Special Education Co-Teacher
Henry B. Burkland Intermediate School, Middleboro, MA

Learn how paraeducators can positively impact the achievement of students with special needs in the inclusive classroom!

Focused on the expanding role of paraeducators, this hands-on reference provides practical guidelines for collaborating with paraeducators to give students with special needs access to highly qualified instructors in the general education classroom and individualized attention that promotes learning for all students.

The authors outline a team approach bolstered by a plan for developing teachers and their paraeducators through built-in school-system supports that allow for appropriate supervision and encourage ongoing training. This comprehensive guide includes tips and strategies for a collaborative planning and instructional process and offers:

  • Reproducible forms that teachers and paraeducators can use to establish effective co-teaching roles
  • Numerous K–12 examples that provide clear direction on how paraeducators can impact student achievement
  • Real-life accounts from three paraeducators to provide authentic, firsthand scenarios
  • Concept maps, chapter summaries, and a glossary of terms for easy navigation of the material

A Guide to Co-Teaching With Paraeducators offers general and special education teachers and paraeducators a historical overview of paraprofessional roles, highlights the four types of co-teaching, and addresses legislative mandates, potential legal challenges, and requirements for certification of paraprofessional skills.


 
List of Tables and Figures
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Introduction
 
1. Why Paraeducators? What Experience, History, Law, and Research Say!
Questions

 
What Are Paraeducators?

 
When Did Paraeducators First Become a Part of the American Classroom?

 
Meet Paraeducators: Ms. O. and Ms. Begay

 
What Does the Research Say About Paraeducators?

 
What Are the Current Legislative Mandates Regarding Paraeducators?

 
What Are the Potential Legal Challenges?

 
 
2. Meet the Teams
Questions

 
Meet Ms. Hernandez: The Elementary School Paraeducator and Her Team

 
Meet Ms. Bartolo: The Middle School Paraeducator and Her Team

 
Meet Mr. Anderson: The Secondary School Paraeducator and His Team

 
 
3. Refining Roles and Responsibilities of Paraeducators
Questions

 
What Are the Variety of Roles and Responsibilities That Paraeducators Take On When They Work in Inclusive Classrooms?

 
What Are the Different Roles and Responsibilities for Others, Such as Classroom Teachers, When They Work With Paraeducators in Inclusive Classrooms?

 
What Is the Paraeducator's Role in the Instructional Cycle?

 
Gathering Information About Student Characteristics

 
Addressing Mismatches Between Student Characteristics and Classroom Demands

 
Ms. Hernandez: Elementary Paraeducator Roles and Responsibilities

 
Ms. Bartolo: Middle School Paraeducator Roles and Responsibilities

 
Mr. Anderson: Secondary School Paraeducator Roles and Responsibilities

 
Summary

 
 
4. Collaborative Processes: Tips and Strategies
Questions

 
Why Is the Collaborative Planning Process So Important?

 
What Are the Strategies to Make Planning Processes More Efficient?

 
What Are the Tips for Developing Interpersonal Relationships Among Team Members?

 
How Are Effective Planning Teams Assessed?

 
Ms. Hernandez: Elementary Collaborative Planning Scenario

 
Ms. Bartolo: Middle Level Collaborative Planning Scenario

 
Mr. Anderson: Secondary School Collaborative Planning Scenario

 
 
5. Co-Teaching and Collaborative Approaches
Questions

 
Who Can Be Co-Teachers?

 
What Are the Four Approaches to Co-Teaching That Paraeducators Are Most Likely to Experience When They Help Students in the General Education Classroom?

 
Supportive Co-Teachers

 
Parallel Co-Teachers

 
Complementary Co-Teachers

 
Team Teachers

 
How Can Paraeducators Be Co-Teachers?

 
In What Ways Does a Co-Teaching Lesson Plan Format Help to Guide Instruction?

 
Ms. Hernandez: Elementary Team Co-Teaching and Collaborative Approaches

 
Supportive, Parallel, and Complementary Co-Teaching in Second-Grade Homeroom Language Arts Time

 
Supportive, Parallel, and Complementary Co-Teaching in Third-Grade Homeroom Math Time

 
Ms. Bartolo: Middle School Co-Teaching and Collaborative Planning

 
Supportive, Parallel, and Complementary Co-Teaching in English Classes

 
Supportive and Complementary Co-Teaching in Science Class

 
Parallel Co-Teaching in the Learning Center

 
Mr. Anderson: Secondary Team Co-Teaching and Collaborative Planning

 
Adjusting Co-Teaching to Support Student Needs

 
Supportive and Parallel Co-Teaching in Social Studies

 
Summary

 
 
6. Systems Supports for Paraeducators' Success: Professional Development, Supervision, and Logistical Supports
Questions

 
What Professional Development Do Paraeducators Need and What Are the Skills Required for Paraeducators?

 
What Are the Approaches to Professional Development for Paraeducators?

 
What the Law Requires

 
What a Job Analysis Suggests

 
What Standards of Professional Organizations Suggest

 
What Should Paraeducators Expect From Teachers in Terms of Supervision and Coaching?

 
On-the-Job Training

 
Formal Professional Development

 
What Are Dimensions of Effective Supervision for Paraeducators?

 
What Supervision Is and Is Not

 
Melding Supervision and Professional Development: A Cyclical Model

 
What Are Logistical Supports? What Logistical Supports Help Paraeducators to Be Welcomed and Supported in Their Jobs?

 
Ms. Hernandez: Elementary Example of Professionl Development, Supervision, and Logistical Support

 
Ms. Bartolo: Middle School Paraeducator Example of Professional Development, Supervision, and Logistical Support

 
Mr. Anderson: Secondary School Paraeducator Example of Professional Development, Supervision, and Logistical Support

 
Summary and Your Next Steps

 
 
7. Paraeducator: Collaborative Members of Inclusive Teams
Questions

 
Advice From Paraeducators in Co-Taught Classrooms

 
What Opinions and Advice Do Paraeducators Offer?

 
Ms. Sheila's Experience

 
Ms. Andrea's Experience

 
A National Study of Paraeducators in Inclusive Classrooms

 
Common Issues of Paraeducators in Inclusive Classrooms

 
Roles of Paraeducators in Inclusive Classrooms

 
Advice Paraeducators Offer

 
Advice From Paraeducator Scenarios

 
Ms. Hernandez: Elementary Scenario

 
Ms. Bartolo: Middle School Scenario

 
Mr. Anderson: Secondary School Scenario

 
Summary

 
 
Resources
A: Co-Teaching Roles and Responsibilities Matrix

 
B: Gathering Information About Learners and Classroom Demands Template

 
C: Checklist of Supplementary Supports, Aids, and Services

 
D: Likes & Dislikes Team Summary

 
E: Planning Meeting Agenda

 
F: Are We Really a Collaborative Team?

 
G: SODAS

 
H: Lesson Plan Template

 
I: Professional Development Opportunities and Informative Web Sites

 
 
Glossary
 
References
 
Index

"This book provides a valuable resource for the best utilization of paraeducators in the classroom, with tips and tools for making this a successful process.”

Melissa Miller, Science Teacher
Lynch Middle School, Farmington, AR

“I have never seen another book that treats this topic with such depth in such an accessible manner.”

Charlotte Kenney, Math and Science Teacher
Browns River Middle School, Jericho, VT

“Easy to read and understand, this book contains many examples, resources, and up-to-date information pertinent to the role of paraeducators.”

Mari Gates, Special Education Co-Teacher
Henry B. Burkland Intermediate School, Middleboro, MA

The book was exactly what we needed for the class. Very impressed.

Mrs Nonnie Wrenn
Early Childhood Education, Haywood Community College
March 23, 2010
Key features
  • Reproducible forms for teachers that can be used for establishing roles in the classroom and assisting educators in the co-teaching process
  • A glossary of terms emphasizing important jargon used in working with paraprofessionals.
  • Chapter questions, serving as  opening chapter objectives, provides answers and important information related to working with paraeducators in inclusive classroom environments.
  • Featuring 3 paraprofessionals-an elementary, a middle and a high school paraeducator-highlighting in detail the roles and responsibilities working in different classrooms and collaborating with different educators
  • A concept map visually organizes each chapter so the reader can follow along with the chapter's content.
  • Chapter summaries are included at the end of every chapter.
  • Many K-12 examples are provided giving clear direction on how paraeducators can impact student achievement.       
  • Sample Materials & Chapters

    Introduction

    Chapter 1: Why Paraeducators?


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