JOB SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Director of Special Education  

Role of Paraprofessionals in a General Education Classroom:

?                   The paraprofessional’s role is to support the student with disabilities in the general education classroom.

?                   The paraprofessional is responsible for following the rules, guidelines, and expectations in the general education classroom.

?                   The classroom teacher provides instruction of the curriculum; the paraprofessional collaborates on modifying the curriculum with the general education and the special education teachers.

?                   The paraprofessional’s role will vary depending on the unique needs of the students in the classroom and what is on their IEP’s.

?                   The paraprofessional may be responsible for behavior management, re-teaching or reinforcing skills, working with students in small groups, and reinforcing self-help skills.

Role of the Paraprofessional in a Vocational Setting:

Education and/or Experience: 

?                   Paraprofessionals in a vocational setting must have experience with the equipment and tools of the specific program assigned

 Duties and Responsibilities: 

?                   Assist the primary vocational instructor with teaching activities and production activities

?                   Demonstrate proper operation of shop tools and equipment in accordance with the shop program

?                   Demonstrate safety practices and procedures in accordance with the shop program

?                   Monitor students when operating tools and equipment

?                   Monitor safety practices and procedures

?                   Support and assist in the enforcement of school and district rules

?                   Conduct individual and/or small group instructional activities when directed to do so by the instructor

?                   Be familiar with appropriate instructional materials as they pertain to shop placement

What the Paraprofessional is NOT responsible for in any setting – academic or vocational:

?                   The paraprofessional cannot represent himself or herself as a qualified teacher/service provider or be used as a substitute for a qualified teacher/service provider unless he/she possesses the appropriate certification/licensure to function as a substitute and is hired as a substitute

?                   The paraprofessional cannot re-write curriculums

?                   The paraprofessional cannot create new, alternative instruction without the direction of a teacher or other certified personnel

?                   The paraprofessional cannot implement behavior ideas without the direction of the teacher or other certified personnel

?                   The paraprofessional cannot take complete responsibility for any students

?                   The paraprofessional does not provide direct instruction, does not introduce a student to new skills, concepts or academic content.

?                   The paraprofessional cannot perform or interpret standardized or non-standardized assessments, formal or informal, unless specifically trained to provide such tests and evaluations and supervised by the qualified teacher/service provider.

?                   The paraprofessional cannot participate in parent conferences, student conferences, or any interdisciplinary teams in place of the supervising teacher/service provider.

?                   The paraprofessional cannot communicate with the individual with learning disabilities, family, or others regarding any aspect of the student's status or service without the specific consent of the supervising teacher/service provider or provide student or family counseling.

?                   The paraprofessional cannot write, develop, or modify an individualized plan in any way or assist with instruction/intervention without following the individual plan prepared under the direction of the teacher/service provider or without access to supervision.

?                   The paraprofessional cannot sign any formal documents (e.g., individual plans, service reimbursement forms, or reports) as a substitute for the qualified professional. Paraprofessionals should sign or initial informal progress notes for review and co-signature by the supervising teacher/service provider.

?                   The paraprofessional cannot select individuals for services, make referrals for additional services, assign grades, or discharge an individual from service.

?                   The paraprofessional cannot disclose educational, clinical, or confidential information either orally or in writing to anyone not designated by the supervising teacher/service provider.