Paraprofessional
Last updated
A paraprofessional is a school employee who supports students under the direction of a teacher or provider, sometimes called an aide or educational assistant.
Topic: Services, placement and staff
In plain terms
Paraprofessionals may help with instruction, behavior support, personal care, data collection and access to general education. They work under the supervision of certified staff and should be trained in the student's plan. A paraprofessional assigned to one student is sometimes called a one-to-one aide.
How it shows up in an IEP
When an IEP includes paraprofessional support, the team should define its purpose and how it will fade over time, so the student builds independence and peer connections. Paras often record data, so they need clear data sheets and definitions.
Example
A paraprofessional supports a student during writing by giving prompts from a set hierarchy and marking each prompt level on a data sheet, with a plan to fade to checks every 5 minutes.
The rule
Rules vary by state. Check your state's regulations and your district's procedures.
Related terms
- Prompt fadingPrompt fading is the planned, gradual reduction of help so that a student performs a skill independently and does not come to depend on adult prompts.
- Supplementary aids and servicesSupplementary aids and services are supports that let a student with a disability learn in general education classes and activities alongside peers.
- InclusionInclusion is the practice of educating students with disabilities in general education classes, with the supports they need to learn and belong.
- Data sheetA data sheet is a form for recording a student's performance on an IEP goal in a consistent way each session.
- Job coachA job coach is a person who teaches a worker with a disability the tasks and routines of a job on site, then gradually reduces support.
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