This publication is designed to help teachers, nurses and paraprofessionals meet the challenges of dealing with children who have serious medical problems. It contains information on training, health and safety, and legal rights and responsibilities. Specifically, this third edition sets out to accomplish three goals: (1) to educate American…

Paraprofessionals can be valuable in the education of handicapped students by taking part in assessment and identification, instruction, behavior management, record keeping, parent interaction, career education, and transportation. (CL)

This publication, the third in a series of modules designed for paraprofessionals working with handicapped children, presents objectives and related activities for three competencies in behavior management. The first competency, on the definition and underlying concepts of behavior management, focuses on the application of behavior management…

The article describes a model of paraprofessional placement in special education. The process involves four steps: (1) assessing needs and skills; (2) comparing role expectations; (3) resolving differences in perceptions of teacher and paraprofessional; and (4) writing individualized job descriptions. A list of resource materials for training…

The article examines the differing roles of the teacher and paraprofessional in the instructional process and suggests specific ways in which the paraprofessional can assist with instruction of special needs children. (SB)

The author offers guidelines for utilizing volunteers in educating handicapped children. Several programs using volunteers are mentioned: the kindergarten screening project, listener program, primary classroom volunteers, and secondary school volunteers. The importance of teacher support is stressed. Steps for the teacher to follow for involving…

The author discusses the use of retired individuals as volunteers in special education. Sections address common needs and interests of retired volunteers, considerations in recruitng volunteers, procedures for writing job descriptions, and volunteer training. (SBH)

The article discusses the rationale for providing special education paraprofessionals with the necessary interpersonal competencies to effectively contribute to the education of handicapped students. Among conclusions is that a tangible reward system should be a necessary component of interpersonal skills training. (SB)

This article offers guidelines to first-year special education teachers concerning confidentiality issues, especially in relation to substitute teachers and paraprofessionals. Guidelines address what to do if the teacher is absent and what to do if teaching assistants are absent. Also provided are several Web resources on confidentiality. (DB)

Teachers working with paraprofessionals should evaluate their effectiveness in promoting a comfortable and productive working climate for the paraprofessional A self-evaluation of their competence in defining responsibilities, creating a positive atmosphere, and providing training and recognition for the paraprofessional can be a helpful process.…

The project sought to develop guidelines and materials to more fully integrate paraprofessional personnel into special education programs administered by public schools and other provider agencies, and to improve the performance and productivity of paraprofessionals working in elementary and secondary level special education programs. Overall…

The effectiveness of using 75 aides in special education classrooms in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was evaluated in terms of impact on students, classrooms, and staff. Interviews, record reviews, and survey research were used to collect data. Findings revealed that aides were perceived as having a positive impact on the children through more…

The changing role of the special education teacher is examined and guidelines for working effectively with paraprofessionals are provided. Teacher skills in interviewing and selecting, orienting, supervising, and evaluating paraprofessionals are outlined. (PHR)

Communication between the teacher and paraprofessional who implement the handicapped child's individualized education program can be enhanced through preacademic year planning (of classroom arrangement and the assignment of responsibilities, the holding of regularly scheduled meetings, on the spot communication, and written communication (such as…

This article addresses ways that regular and special education teachers can provide training for paraeducators and delineates the roles and responsibilities appropriate for paraeducators. Training suggestions cover the interview, orientation, sharing information, meetings, and team skills. Paraeducator responsibilities require teaching students…