Appendix 2

The scopes of responsibilities for paraeducators as members of instructional teams developed by the NRCP project of national significance are divided into the same six theme areas as those for the teachers. The analysis of the validation survey, identified a common core of knowledge and skills required by all paraeducators. The common core of competencies serves as the basis for the scope of responsibilities for a level 1 paraeducator position. The scopes of responsibilities for the levels 2 and 3 paraeducator positions are based on analysis of paraeducator functions that require more complex knowledge and skills.

The level 2 scope of responsibilities applies to paraeducaots who work in pre-school, elementary, general and special education programs including self-contained and resource classrooms. For the most part these are paraeducators who work under the supervision of one teacher. The primary distinction in the responsibilities of levels 1 and 2 paraeducator positions is that greater emphasis is placed on the instructional functions of paraeducators in level 2. Moreover level 2 paraeducators participate in regularly scheduled on-the-job training sessions with teachers. And when required by learner needs or program requirements, level 2 paraeducators participate in IEP, ITP, and IFSP team planning meetings.

There are also several distinctions in the roles of levels 2 and 3 paraeducator positions. The first is that level 3 paraeducators, who facilitate inclusion of learners with disabilities into general education programs work along side of more than one teacher. The same is true for paraeducators who work in ESL/multi-lingual programs, transition services programs for learners who are moving from school to the adult world. Level 3 paraeducators who work in Title I, multi-lingual and special education programs may help teachers involve families in their childís learning experiences and activities. Level 3 paraeducators may have some discretionary authority to modify learning activities developed by teachers. Level 3 paraeducators may if appropriately prepared administered standardized tests. And because state and local policies connected with documenting and maintaining learner records are becoming more demanding and time consuming level 3 paraeducators may assist with these activities (Pickett, 1999).

RESPONSIBILITY 1: PARAEDUCATORS ASSIST TEACHERS WITH BUILDING AND MAINTINING EFFECTIVE TEAMS.

LEVEL 1

The scope of responsibilities for level 1 paraeducators includes;

  1. Carrying out team decisions as assigned by the teacher;
  2. Sharing relevant information about learners with teachers to facilitate problem solving, decision making, program planning and other team activities.

LEVEL 2

The scope of responsibilities for level 2 paraeducators includes the responsibilities of level 1 paraeducators, plus:

  1. Assisting teachers in activities that engage children and youth in learning experiences.

LEVEL 3

The scope of responsibilities for level 3 paraeducators includes the responsibilities of level 2 paraeducators plus:

  1. Assisting teachers with planning and organizing learning experiences.
  2. Attending IEP, ITP, and IFSP team meetings to assist with the development of programs for learners they work with.

RESPONSIBILITY 2: PARAEDUCATORS ASSIST TEACHERS WITH MAINTAINING LEARNER-CENTERED SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS.

LEVEL 1

The scopes of responsibilities for level 1 paraeducators includes:

  1. Assisting teachers with the implementation of district and state policies and procedures for protecting the safety, health and well-being of learners and staff.
  2. Implementing strategies, developed by teachers, that support inclusive environments, respect individual differences among learners, their families, and staff, and protect the human and legal rights of all individuals.

LEVEL 2

The scope of responsibilities for level 2 paraeducators includes all of the responsibilities for level 1 paraeducators.

LEVEL 3 The scope of responsponsibilities for level 3 paraeducators includes all of the responsibilities for level 1 and 2 paraeducators, plus:

  1. Assisting teachers with involving families in their childís learning experiences.

RESPONSIBILITY 3: PARAEDUCATORS ASSIST TEACHERS WITH PLANNING AND ORGANIZING LEARNING EXPERIENCES.

LEVEL1:

The scope of responsibilities for level 1 paraeducators includes:

  1. Duplicating learning materials.
  2. Maintaining learning centers.

LEVEL 2:

The scope of responsibilities for level 2 paraeducators includes all of the responsibilities for level 1 paraeducators, plus:

  1. Gathering and sharing relevant information about the performance and behaviors of
  2. individual learners that supports the planning process.
  3. Assisting teacher with the preparation of learning resources.

LEVEL 3:

The scope of responsibilities for level 3 paraeducators includes the responsibilities for level 1 and 2, plus:

  1. Assisting teachers with modifying learning strategies to accommodate different learning preferences abilitypreferences ability levels and other learning needs of individual children and youth.
  2. Inventorying supplies and ordering materials selected by the teacher.

RESPONSIBILITY 4: PARAEDUCATORS ASSIST TEACHERS WITH ENGAGING CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN LEARNING EXPERIENCE:

LEVEL 1 The scope of responsibilities for level 1 paraeducators includes:

  1. Following lesson plans and learning strategies developed by teachers.
  2. Reinforcing learning activities introduced by the teacher.

LEVEL 2:

The scope of responsibilities for level 2 paraeducators includes the responsibilities for level 1, plus:

  1. Implementing behavioral programs developed by the teacher for individual learners.
  2. Assisting children and youth with individualized learning activities or independent study projects assigned by the teacher.

LEVEL 3:

The scope of responsibilities for level 3 paraeducators includes the responsibilities for levesl 1 and 2, plus:

  1. Carrying out learning activities for children, youth and their families in homes, work sites,
  2. and community based settings.
  3. Assisting occupational and physical therapists, speech language pathologists, and nurses in the delivery of related services.

RESPONSIBILITY 5: PARAEDUCATORS ASSIST TEACHERS WITH ASSESSING LEARNER NEEDS AND PROGRESS.

LEVEL1:

Level 1 paraeducators do not participate in assessment activities.

LEVEL 2

The scopes of responsibilities for level 2 paraeducators includes:

  1. Carrying out functional assessment activities to assist teachers in documenting information about learner strengths and needs.

LEVEL 3.

The scope of responsibilities for level 3 paraeducators includes the responsibilities for level 2, plus:

  1. Administering standardized test based on district policy and the protocol for administering the tests and the paraeducatorís demonstrated ability for performing the tasks.
  2. Assisting teachers and other team members with maintaining learner records required by federal, state and district policies.

RESPONSIBILITY 6: PARAEDUCATORS MEET STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL CONDUCT.

LEVELS 1,2, and 3

The scope of responsibilities for levels 1, 2 and 3 paraeducators includes:

  1. Assisting school administrators and teachers with protecting the civil, legal and human rights of learners and their families.
  2. Practicing the standards of professional and ethical conduct approved by the district or state for education and other human services personnel.
  3. Performing tasks that are within an identified scope of responsibility for paraeducators in different position levels.
  4. Following the chain of command established by the district to address policy questions, systems issues, and personnel practices.
  5. Following guidelines established by the district to protect the health, safety and well-being of learners.
  6. Pespecting individual differences among learners, families, and other staff.
  7. Participating in opportunities for continuing education and professional growth.