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

"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.

Table of Contents:
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