The Indispensable Role of Paraprofessional Educators

In the dynamic landscape of education, the contributions of paraprofessionals, also known as paraeducators, are increasingly vital. Often referred to as teacher's aides or instructional assistants, these professionals provide essential support to teachers and students, fostering a more effective and inclusive learning environment. While not certified teachers themselves, paraprofessionals play a multifaceted role that enhances the educational experience for all involved.

Defining the Paraprofessional Role

A paraprofessional is a credentialed education professional who works alongside and under the direction of a certified teacher or school professional. They are vital members of a school's support staff. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) uses the term paraprofessional, but other common names include ed techs, classroom assistants, instructional aides, teacher assistants, paraeducators, and paras. Regardless of the title, these individuals are integral to the school community.

Key Responsibilities and Contributions

Paraprofessionals contribute to the educational environment in numerous ways:

Direct Assistance to Teachers and Students: One of the primary roles of a paraprofessional is to provide direct assistance to teachers and students within the classroom, working with students both individually and in small groups to create a positive and inclusive learning environment.
Support for Students with Special Needs: Paraprofessionals are often assigned to work with students who have special needs, playing a crucial role in helping these students access the curriculum by providing support tailored to their individual needs, which certified teachers might not always have the capacity to provide.
Behavioral Support: In some cases, paraprofessionals are tasked with managing and addressing challenging behaviors exhibited by students. For example, if a student has a behavior intervention plan (BIP), paraprofessionals may help to implement the plan. If the team needs documentation about how behavioral interventions are working, paraprofessionals may take notes throughout the day. Paraprofessionals who provide behavioral support are taught strategies to help with behavior, like giving specific praise for appropriate behaviors and may also be trained to help in crisis situations.
Preparation and Organization: Paraprofessionals assist with the preparation and organization of classroom materials.
Data Collection: Paraprofessionals often assist in collecting data on student progress and behavior.
Language Support: In some classrooms, bilingual paraprofessionals provide language support to English Language Learners (ELLs). This is especially true in classrooms for students just beginning to learn English. Paraprofessionals may help ELLs understand the academic content of lessons by speaking with students in their home language and can even help create learning materials in another language.
Physical and Medical Support: Some paraprofessionals work with children who have physical disabilities, helping with adaptive skills like self-care and communication. They may also collaborate with the school nurse to work with students who need medical support, such as those at risk for seizures or with severe allergies.

The Growing Demand for Paraprofessionals

Despite their importance, paraprofessional roles are among the highest rates of vacancies in the education sector. The rising number of paraprofessionals indicates that schools are increasingly acknowledging the importance of additional classroom support. Paraprofessionals not only enhance the learning experience for students but also help alleviate some of the pressures on classroom teachers, enabling a more dynamic and supportive educational environment.

Essential Skills and Qualities

Flexibility, patience, and empathy are all necessary qualities for successful paraprofessionals. Like other educators, a paraprofessional needs to know when to step back and encourage a student to be independent, but also when to step in and provide support. Many paraprofessionals also build strong relationships with the students they work with, spending more one-on-one time with students than the other adults on staff. That gives them insight that can be used to help teachers understand what a student’s behavior is communicating, helping teachers respond to challenging behaviors with empathy.

Required Qualifications and Training

To become a paraprofessional, you’ll need to meet specific education requirements, which depend on the state you’re in and whether you plan to work in a public or private school. In a public school, you need at least a high school diploma or a GED. You also need at least two years of college coursework or an associate degree. Associate degree programs for paraeducators focus on creating educational materials, observing students and supporting classroom teachers.

Educational Requirements: While not all school districts require their paraprofessionals to have an associate degree, all require a high school diploma or GED certificate.
Assessment: If you don’t have a college degree, aspiring paraprofessionals may be required to pass a local assessment, such as the ParaPro Assessment or the ACT WorkKeys. The ParaPro Assessment is a computer-based test comprised of 90 multiple-choice questions covering reading, writing and math, which must be completed in approximately 2.5 hours. The ACT WorkKeys assessment consists of three computer-based tests: applied math, graphic literacy and workplace documents.
Paraprofessional Certification: Paraprofessional certification requirements vary by state; some mandate certification, while others consider it optional.

Paraprofessionals often learn many of their practical skills on the job and can be more effective when they have ongoing training and access to professional learning opportunities. Schools should include paraprofessionals in staff meetings and other events so they are up to date on all school policies, curriculum, and student needs.

Paraprofessionals and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

Paraprofessionals responsible for assisting with the implementation of a student’s IEP must be provided the opportunity to review a copy of the IEP prior to implementation and must have ongoing access to the IEP.

Schools that use SESIS to provide electronic access to paraprofessionals must ensure that they receive training on how to use SESIS and that computers are available in the school building during the school day. Schools are not required to provide a copy of the IEP to the paraprofessional, but they may legally do so if they choose.

Supervision and Responsibilities

According to the DOE-paraprofessional collective-bargaining agreement, paraprofessionals may not remain in a room without a teacher, i.e., when the teacher is called away for a meeting or is absent for the day. Paras must be under the direct supervision of a licensed teacher in a classroom or outside in the schoolyard.

The only exception is the Lead Teacher Assistant, the new career ladder position for paraprofessionals. Paras who are Lead Teacher Assistants may fill in during a teacher’s absence for up to 10 days over the course of a school year. A Lead Teacher Assistant, however, cannot be assigned to take charge of a classroom if the teacher requests or takes an extended leave.

School administrations cannot ask paraprofessionals to supervise the lunchroom, as Special Circular 6R established that lunchroom supervision may not be assigned to paras. Paraprofessionals, including one-on-one paras, are entitled to a duty-free lunch period. A child’s IEP can mandate paraprofessional coverage at lunch for that child, but the IEP cannot, and does not, specify a specific person to perform that role. If a para is asked to be with a child during the child’s lunch, that para must still have a duty-free lunch period at some other point in the day.

Absences and Leave

Paraprofessionals earn one sick leave day for every month in which they are in service for at least 16 calendar days, with a maximum of 10 sick leave days earnable in a school year from September through June.

Paraprofessionals can use earned sick leave and be paid if they meet the following requirements:

Self-treated absences: Paraprofessionals cannot use more than three consecutive self-treated sick days. The fourth consecutive day will result in an absence without pay. No more than five self-treated days can be used in a five-month period (from September through January and from February through June). The sixth day would result in an absence without pay.
Personal business days: Annual employees are entitled to up to three of their 10 self-treated days for personal business during a given school year provided that reasonable notice is given to the principal. Those personal business days may be used to care for a sick family member. The number of personal business days that a paraprofessional uses reduces the number of self-treated days they have.
Medically certified absences: Medically certified absences are absences for which the para provides a medical note. If a para is absent for more than three consecutive days, they must provide a doctor’s note. If a paraprofessional has medically certified absences exceeding the amount of time in the para’s sick bank, it will result in absences without pay.

Authority and Professional Responsibilities

Teachers and paraprofessionals share some professional responsibilities, such as instruction delivery and classroom management. However, as licensed professionals, teachers have the authority to make instructional decisions, assess student performance and manage classroom dynamics. Becoming a licensed teacher typically requires a bachelor’s degree in education or a specific subject area, completion of a teacher preparation program, and state certification or licensure. Additionally, teachers communicate with parents and administrators regarding student development.

Read also: Comprehensive Guide

Career Advancement

For many, working as a paraprofessional can be a good opportunity to gain classroom experience while furthering their education. Specifically, if becoming a licensed and certified teacher appeals to you, working as a paraprofessional can be a good way to see if the field suits your interests and talents.

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