Educational Opportunities, Special Resources for Paraeducators
Educational
Paraprofessionals:
Multifaceted
Members of the School Staff-Roles for Education Paraprofessionals in
Effective Schools-1997. Educational paraprofessionals can provide strong,
multidimensional support for students' academic success. This Idea Book
offers decision makers and program planners an overview of strategies that
can enhance the contributions of paraprofessionals to school and classroom
effectiveness. This volume begins with a summary of the history of
paraprofessionals' roles in education and brief descriptions of the present
workforce and factors associated with this type of work. Then we offer three
approaches to thinking about school effectiveness as frameworks, to help
school personnel assess whether investments in hiring or training
paraprofessionals are the best way to help children reach challenging
academic standards in a given situation. Following that is a review of the
working conditions that can enhance paraprofessionals' ability to
contribute. The Idea Book also profiles schools and programs that stimulate
and support paraprofessionals' efforts to make a lasting impact on student
learning. The sites featured in this section were chosen because of their
exemplary implementation of academically ambitious, organizationally sound
programs that provide contexts for wise use of education support personnel.
Visit the U.S. Dept of Education's website for this great resource for
paraeducators, administrators, and policymakers...
http://www.ed.gov/pubs/Paraprofessionals/