The Refugee Teachers Program, established at the University of Potsdam, Brandenburg, in 2016, represents a successful model for training and integrating individuals with foreign teaching qualifications through an 18-month teaching and language course. Initially created to help meet the demand for teachers in Germany, the Refugee Teachers Program…

This research paper summarises the findings of a small-scale study that explored the experiences of emotional literacy support assistants (ELSAs) and the children with whom they work. Eight ELSAs and seven children were interviewed and a thematic analysis of the transcripts elicited key themes. The findings indicated that the ELSA-child…

This paper describes the mixed methodology evaluation of the Own-Voice Intensive Phonics (OVIP) programme with 33 secondary students with persistent literacy difficulties. The evaluation involved a quasi-experimental evaluation in which 33 students in years 7-9 in four schools used OVIP over an 8 week period and were monitored at three times for…

The youth learning re-engagement program known as the Titans Learning Centre (or TLC) is an approved alternative schooling program, developed in partnership with state education and a local National Rugby League (NRL) club, the 'Titans'. Students typically in Grade Three or Four complete a 10 week program, interacting with professional A grade NRL…

Schools serving communities with high rates of poverty face the profound challenge of meeting the needs of students who are often exposed to significant family and environmental stressors and trauma. Classroom staff are vital members of school communities who often work closely with students with the highest needs, but they are typically not…

This article reports on a teacher education program's preparation of bilingual paraeducators during a period of conflicting educational reform of structured English immersion in Massachusetts. Drawing on nexus analysis of discourses (R. Scollon & S. W. Scollon, 2004), we discuss factors faced by Latino educators. These include competing…

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are being recognized globally for their influential role in realizing the UN Millennium Development Goal of education for all in developing countries. NGOs mostly employ untrained para-educators for grassroots activities. The professional development of these teachers is critical for NGO effectiveness, yet…

A pilot program using hearing impaired adults as teacher aides in regular class settings was rated highly by cooperating teachers, children, parents, and administrators. This "mainstreaming" approach has expanded to include deaf student teachers. (CL)

The article describes a method of improving the instruction provided by learning disabilities classroom teacher aides. Advantages of the self-recording approach are listed. (PHR)

Describes a writing program that uses lay readers from the community to help correct student writing assignments and instruct in writing skills. (IRT)

Outlines the content, method, and initial evaluation of a two-day workshop designed to teach basic reading monitoring skills to parents. (HTH)

Recently, one southeastern Idaho school's special-education aides were upgraded to paraprofessional status. All 28 para-educators are women, have at least a high-school diploma, and have job descriptions specifying what they should know and accomplish in the classroom. Training and compensation particulars are discussed. (MLH)

To help recruit African American and Hispanic teachers, Southwest Texas State University started a program in 1992 called Enhancing Diversity in Teaching. Funded by a foundation and the Texas Education Association, the program provides university scholarships for paraprofessionals working with bilingual, Chapter 1, migrant, or special-education…

Describes a program in which a teacher's aide is trained in the components of the Teaching Research Data-Based Classroom Model and then provides individual instruction, under the supervision of a certified teacher, to one or two children with handicapping conditions. Notes curriculum, student assessment, data collection procedures, and program…

Describes the author's year as a volunteer in the writing workshop in her son's first-grade classroom. Discusses her experiences and reflects on the growth she saw in children as readers and writers. (SR)