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

by Ann I. Nevin

• ISBN13: 9781412957649
• ISBN10: 1412957648
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-08-15
• Publisher: Corwin Pr

Summary

"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, MALearn 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 materialA 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

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

What Does the Research Say About Paraeducators?

What Are the Current Legislative Mandates Regarding Paraeducators?

What Are the Potential Legal Challenges?

Meet the Teams Questions Meet

The Elementary School Paraeducator and Her Team Meet

The Middle School Paraeducator and Her Team Meet

The Secondary School Paraeducator and His Team

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

Elementary Paraeducator Roles and Responsibilities

Middle School Paraeducator Roles and Responsibilities

Secondary School Paraeducator Roles and Responsibilities

Summary

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?

Elementary Collaborative Planning Scenario

Middle Level Collaborative Planning Scenario

Secondary School Collaborative Planning Scenario

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?

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

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

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

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