Supporting the development and training of paraeducators can be complex; however, that support in rural settings can be especially challenging. The unique structure of rural settings, often with limited personnel and available resources, can create challenges for recruiting and retaining quality candidates within the field of paraeducation. This…

A small group of midsize land-grant institutions in the western United States responded to a survey on what tools they used for troubleshooting, what activities they accomplished using the tools, and who performed their troubleshooting. Most respondents use subscription-manager administration tools, email programs, electronic resource management…

Nearly all of the positions added by Kansas districts since 1998 involved direct instruction of students (teaching) or supporting teachers and students. Districts have added over 9,600 employee positions since 1998, an increase of more than 16 percent. Over this same period, general administration positions were reduced by almost 17 percent.…

This 5-year multisite mixed-methods evaluation study chronicles the field-testing of the planning process Guidelines for Selecting Alternatives to Overreliance on Paraprofessionals in 26 schools (Grades K-12) in six states. Evaluation of the utilization and outcomes of the guidelines process was based on data from 472 study participants. Findings…

In Kansas, paraprofessionals have very specific roles and responsibilities in special education, and increasingly, in classes for severely handicapped and deaf blind students. Paraprofessionals have instruction responsibilities under the supervision of the classroom teacher. Additional duties include assisting with supplementary work for advanced…

A survey of administrators, paraprofessionals, and teachers was undertaken to study the impact of Kansas' statewide training program for special education paraprofessionals. Results revealed that a large number of paraprofessionals and supervisors were not aware of the training program, despite a general feeling that inservice paraprofessional…

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…

The handbook discusses administrative strategies found successful in fostering the integration of mildly handicapped students in five states' school systems (California, Kansas, Massachusets, Minnesota, and Texas). In "Administrative Systems for Service Delivery," T. Oliver describes approaches to streamline referral to placement…

This report describes training programs for paraprofessionals to accommodate the rapid growth of special education services in rural Kansas. Developed and implemented by state and local education agencies, the programs are based on the performance competencies established for paraprofessionals, and certification is enforced through the State…

A study examined management practices of general and special education teachers and therapists who work with paraeducators in K-12 inclusive classrooms. Surveys focusing on the actual and ideal performance of 27 specified supervisory tasks were completed by 369 general and special education teachers and therapists from 12 school districts, 11 of…

This compilation includes 14 supplements to the Kansas state plan for education, all relating to various aspects of special education. Several of the supplements offer guidelines for specific age groups or conditions, providing information on definitions, screening and identification, curriculum and instruction, administrative structures, related…