Supportive Instruction: The Role of the Paraprofessional

This module will provide the knowledge and skills needed to improve professional practice within the inclusive classroom. It includes essential content needed for paraprofessionals to be able to provide supportive instruction in a standards-based classroom, assist with classroom management, know the basics of special education law, understand the co-teaching models, implement instructional strategies, respect diversity, demonstrate the ability to provide differentiation, assist with data collection, and be an active participant in the team building process. The framework for instruction will establish the supportive instruction model as a co-teaching team.

Participant Goals:

Teachers will be able to:

• Develop a base of knowledge about Special Education and co-teaching strategies that will impact the supportive instruction co-teaching team as measured by lesson plans, student work samples, and reflections on implementation
• Build a repertoire of research-based instructional strategies that will support their students to increase achievement toward CCGPS as measured by formative assessments
• Learn the benefits and responsibilities of teaching in today's diverse classrooms and how to insure that each student with disabilities achieves success as measured by their IEP goals

Topic 1: Instructional Partnerships

Document and Presentation Resources:

• The Golden Rule of Providing Support in Inclusive Classrooms: Supporting Others As You Wish To Be Supported 
• Paraprofessional’s Path to Bridging the Gaps in the Inclusive Classroom  PowerPoint | PDF 
• Utah Special Education Handbook: Read Standard 1, Standard 3, and Standard 4 - Developed as a resource tool for Utah state and district administrators as well as teachers and paraeducators. It is based on Utah's Standards for Paraeducators and contains a year’s worth of curriculum content.  Permission to use is granted by the Utah Paraeducators Resources, National Resource Center for Paraeducators (NRCP.org) 

Topic 2: Classroom Management

Document and Presentation Resources:

• Introduction to Positive Behavioral Supports Florida Positive Behavior Supports PowerPoint Show 
• Prevention and Systematic Intervention to Address Social Behavioral Problems: SWPBS  PowerPoint | PDF 
• Georgia Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports - Explore these webpages and documents:
• Most recent Operational Emergent School Lists
• School Wide PBIS
• District PBIS Implementation Process FY 14
• US Department of Education Restraint and Seclusion Resource Document 

Video Resources:

• What is PBIS? 

Topic 3: Foundations of Special Education 

Document and Presentation Resources:

• Thirty Five Years of Progress in Educating Children with Disabilities Through IDEA
• GaDOE Special Education Rules Implementation Manual Part 1 – Read chapters 2, 4, 5, and 7 
• GaDOE Special Education Rules Implementation Manual Part 2 – Read the definitions, eligibility, and placement information for each of the special education disability areas 
• Module 1: Top 10 Basics of Special Education (NICHCY) - Read and complete  
• Module 2: Key Changes in IDEA (NICHCY) - Read and complete
• Georgia Department of Education Special Education Services and Supports – Review the website for information and other resources 

Video Resources:

• Basics of Special Education Law
• Basics of Special Education Law - Part 1 
• Basics of Special Education Law - Part 2 
• Basics of Special Education Law - Part 3 

Topic 4: Instructional Strategies in Reading & Math

Document, Presentation and Website Resources:

• Making Math Meaningful for Students with Learning Problems: Powerful Teaching Strategies That Work  PowerPoint | PDF 
• The Savvy Teachers Guide Reading Interventions that Work Jim Wright 
• Effective Math Instruction NICHCY 
• Intervention Central – Jim Wright website 
• Best Evidence Encyclopedia Reading & Math Interventions – Review website for reading and math interventions and also other possible resources

Video Resources:

• Reading Strategy Instruction – QAR 
• Math Problem Solving Strategies 

Topic 5: Differentiating Instruction & Diversity

Document and Presentation Resources:

• Differentiated Instruction and Implications for Universal Design for Learning Implementation (OSEP) 
• Culturally Responsive Teaching in Special Education for Ethnically Diverse Students: Setting the Stage. Gay, G. (2002). QUALITATIVE STUDIES IN EDUCATION, 15, 613-629.
• Abstract
  Two major premises are developed in this discussion. One is that many students of color are disproportionately assigned to special education because educators lack knowledge about or appreciation for their cultural values and socialization, and how these affect learning behaviors. The other premise is that the educational quality of students of color in both special and regular education can be improved significantly by using instructional programs and practices that reflect their cultural heritages, experiences, and perspectives. Several components of this ''culturally responsive teaching'' are explained, along with some research findings about its effects on student achievement. These include critical cultural consciousness of teachers; culturally pluralistic classroom climates; diverse communities of learners; and multicultural curriculum and instruction. The author concludes that without culturally responsive teaching education can never be the best it should be for students who are not part of the majority and mainstream of schools and society.  Access to full article - Taylor & Francis Online. 
• RTI and the Disproportionate Representation of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students in Special Education 

Video Resources:

• Educating Youth with Disabilities from Diverse Backgrounds