How Paraeducators Build Cultural Bridges In Diverse Classrooms
- by Robert Rueda and Carmen DeNeve. In their efforts to
accommodate cultural diversity in the classroom, schools have
taken a variety of approaches - few of them ideal. In this article,
the authors examine how educators 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.
How Paraeducators Learn on the Web
- by A. L. Steckelberg and S. F. Vasa. Do the paraeducators, or
paraprofessionals, working with you in your classroom have a
background in effective educational practices like classroom
management, communication, and special education processes? Do
you have an accessible staff development program for
paraeducators?
Paraeducator Career Ladders -A Superintendent's View
- by I. Toibin . This paper suggests that entering into an agreement
to establish a Paraeducator Career Ladder program for classified
instructional assistants should be seen as something more than a
concession on the part of a Board of Education. In fact, it is in the
Board's interest to enter into such an arrangement with its
employees. From a school district's perspective, there are a
number of compelling reasons why a Board of Education should be
receptive to such a proposal: First, such a program addresses the
district's priority needs in hiring personnel in high demand areas;
Second, it improves the quality and the motivation of the district's
work force; Third, it develops loyalty and support for the district
among its employees; Fourth, it saves the district money in the
long run.
Para-Educators: A Source for Remedying the Shortage of Teachers
for Limited English-Proficient Students.
- This article by Michael Genzuk, Magaly Lavadenz, and Stephen
Krashen 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.
Paraeducator-To-Teacher Pipeline: A 5-Year Retrospective on an
Innovative Teacher Preparation Program for Latina(os).
- This article by Michael Genzuk and Reynaldo Baca from the
"Journal on Education and Urban Society" provides a 5-year
retrospective on the experience of planning and carrying out a
paraeducator-to teacher pipeline program. Described are how the
project works, lessons learned to date, and directions for the
future.
Paraprofessionals: A Resource for Tomorrow's Teachers
- By Mary Jean LeTendre. Article suggesting that Paraprofessionals
often have accumulated valuable experience in their schools and
communities and have acquired many of the interpersonal skills
needed to work effectively with children. In addition to having
substantial classroom experience to draw upon, paraprofessionals
enrolled in teacher preparation programs, research indicates, are
frequently highly motivated and engaged educators who are
interested in teaching in their home communities. As a result, the
attrition rate of paraprofessionals is low relative to that of other
teacher trainees. Finally, providing career ladder opportunities
can be an effective means of recruiting from a culturally and
linguistically diverse pool to serve an increasingly diverse, multi
cultural student population, and assist our nation in building a
much needed diverse workforce of teachers.
Paraprofessionals In the Education Workforce
- National Education Association paper suggesting that despite
increased reliance on paraeducators in roles that have become more
demanding, frequently they are the forgotten members of the
instructional team. Previous efforts by provider agencies and two-
and four-year colleges to establish mechanisms and standards for
selection, credentialing, and training aimed at providing career
development opportunities for a skilled paraeducator workforce
were "moved to the back burner," becoming afterthoughts in the
public policy arena. This paper reviews these issues. The first
section frames the issues confronting the field with regard to the
training and utilization of paraeducators. Part Two outlines future
needs of the field. The four Appendixes provide additional resources
for paraeducators.
Perspectives on Paraprofessionalism Preparing "Paraeducators"
for Today's Inclusive Classroom.
- This article considers ranking the "paraprofessional" or
"instructional aide" with paralegals and paramedics. However, the
author suggests we would have to ensure that paraeducators are also
trained and certified.
Promise Seen in Patchwork of Para-to-Teacher Programs.
- This article from Education Week investigates how paraeducator to
teacher programs do more than simply provide opportunities for
school aides to become teachers. Supporters say they help funnel
members of minority groups and foreign-language speakers into a
profession that badly needs diversity.
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 is the Washington State core competencies for
paraeducators.
Paraeducator Project Questions & Answers are provided
along with Washington Education Association Position Statement on
Credentialing for Paraeducators.
Recruiting Paraeducators into Teacher Preparation Programs: A
Remedy for the Shortage of Teachers
- by Michael Genzuk and Nancy K. French. American Association of
Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) Paraeducator Special Study
Group Report to the Association's Board of Directors on Critical
Issues and Areas of Focus on the recruiting of Paraeducators into
the teaching profession. Presented at AACTE's 55th Annual
Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana on January, 26 2003.
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Acrobat. Click here to download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Roles for Education Paraprofessionals in Effective Schools
- This comprehensive report for the U.S. Department of Education
suggests that Educational paraprofessionals, also known as teaching
assistants, can provide strong, multidimensional support for
students' academic success. When schools and districts provide
paraprofessionals with appropriate training, instructional team
support, and supervision, the academic substance and effectiveness
of their contributions to students improve. In many communities,
paraprofessionals serve as advocates and coaches for students and
families whose status as new immigrants or migrant workers may
pose challenges to students' academic progress.
Search for Two Million Teachers Should Start in the Classroom.
- This article by Fernando Trulin reports that within the next 10
years, the United States will need two million new teachers in its
public school classrooms. It emphasizes that while Hispanics make
up less than 4 percent of the country's teachers, they comprise
more than 12 percent of its students. So what are we going to do
about it? This article proposes that we pursue as a resource the
450,000 paraeducators currently employed in public schools.
Teacher Shortage Solution Found?
- The Council of Great City School's Urban Educator reports a large
number of classroom paraprofessionals may be one answer to the
nation's teacher shortage, according to a new study just released by
Recruiting New Teachers, Inc.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Outlook Handbook on Teacher Aides.
- A government handbook describing the nature of work, working
conditions, employment, training, job outlook, earnings and related
occupations for teacher aides, paraprofessionals, paraeducators.
Views on Paraprofessionals" A Vision for Paraprofessionals within
a Comprehensive System of Personnel Development
- The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Paraprofessional
Task Force and the Cooperative Educational Service Agencies'
Regional Service Network (RSN) recommended a statewide survey
of paraprofessionals, also known as Views on Wisconsin
Paraprofessional Workforce. The purpose was to determine the
training and support needs and issues of paraprofessionals in
Wisconsin, and to create an awareness of paraprofessional needs in
educational settings. This report provides a review of the survey
results and makes recommendations based on the findings of the
Task Force.
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Acrobat. Click here to download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
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