This article looks at the opportunities and barriers paraprofessionals face on their journey to becoming teachers and makes some recommendations for ways that colleges and universities, districts, and accrediting bodies may better serve, retain, and promote this unique population of educators. The article identifies shifts in higher education like…

This qualitative case study highlights a university-school district partnership, RISE, to increase the number of Spanish-English speaking teachers in one Georgia county by covering students' tuitions and hiring them as part-time paraprofessionals as they become certified educators. Our goal with RISE (Realizing Inspiring and Successful Educators)…

Even though small group instruction is a research-based intervention and has many benefits, researchers have shown that many students are reading below grade level and struggle with mastering reading skills, and this may be due to the ineffectiveness of small-group reading instruction. The problem that was addressed in this study was teachers'…

The objectives of this study were to investigate types of supportive school services received and factors related to provision of these services. We conducted a cross-sectional study to describe the school experience of males with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies. Study subjects were identified through the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance,…

Paraeducators perform multiple roles in U.S. classrooms, including among others preparing classroom activities, working with students individually and in small groups, supporting individualized programming for students with disabilities, managing classroom behavior, and engaging with parents and communities. Yet, little research provides insights…

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine the perceptions of certified support staff at a Georgia middle school, focusing on their opinions of Professional Learning Communities (PLC), the roles they played in PLCs and the effect PLCs had on their professional practices. This descriptive case study utilized open-ended interviews,…

Teachers of students with visual impairments and paraeducators who work with students with visual impairments were surveyed to determine if previous research related to the competencies needed by teachers who supervise paraeducators applied to this subset of special educators. Both groups confirmed the importance of the competencies, but…

Although autism varies from one child to another, there are several common key factors to creating a successful inclusion program. In this article, the author discusses the factors in inclusion program that works for all. These factors include: (1) Appropriate Placement; (2) Teacher and Paraprofessional Selection; (3) Parental Involvement; (4)…

All special programs at Dean Rusk Elementary School, funded in part under Title I of the 1965 Elementary Secondary Education Act, combined to facilitate individualized instruction in the nongraded, open classroom setting of the school. To better meet the needs of the pupils during the 1972-73 school year, the Follow Through Program included, for…

Describes an instructional model using paraprofessional concept for educating low incidence exceptional children in regular classrooms in rural areas where special facilities, materials, and teachers are not available. (JD)

Part one of this two-part report focuses on the supplementary programs, partially funded under Titles I and IV of the 1965 Elementary Secondary Education Act, at Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School. The faculty at Bethune chose to focus on the primary clusters--kindergarten, first, second, and third grades--for evaluation. Special emphasis was…

Since many of the children attending Wesley School come from homes which have a low income base, it qualifies for federally funded compensatory services. The educational program at Wesley was unique in that the various compensatory programs in operation reflected the use of several diverse methodologies for improving pupil achievement. The total…

Alfred E. Blalock Elementary School was the recipient of local and compensatory funds during the 1972-73 school year. Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act contributed a lead teacher and educational aides for more individualized reading instruction for the lowest one-third achievers. The Career Opportunities Program allowed some of…

This report presents a description of the instructional programs, funded in part under Title I of the 1965 Elementary Secondary Education Act, and the findings of a study which assessed pupil performance in reading and mathematics and related estimated costs to pupil performance. The following projects were utilized as resources: To better meet…

This paper discusses the use of paraprofessionals in the classroom. Section 1 examines the present situation, framing issues confronting the field with regard to training and utilization of paraprofessionals. It focuses on: distinctions in the roles and responsibilities of teachers and paraprofessionals; an analysis of duties performed by…