FACILITATED BY JENNIFER GONDEK INSTRUCTIONAL SPECIALIST FOR INCLUSIVE EDUCATION TST BOCES Effective Support in Inclusive Classrooms

Session Learning Targets: Identify the various roles of paraprofessionals in classrooms and school settings. Understand the history of special education, categories of disabilities, and how to read an IEP. Be able to participate as a collaborating member of a student’s team, including how to effectively co- support in inclusive classrooms. Presume competence and utilize strategies to increase student independence.

What is a paraprofessional? “ Paraprofessionals….who are appropriately trained and supervised, in accordance with State law, regulations, or written policy….are to be used to assist in the provision of special education and related services…to children with disabilities. (20 U.S.C. S1412) NCLB (PL ) defines paraprofessional as someone who “is employed in a preschool, elementary, or secondary school under the supervision of a certified or licensed teacher, including individuals employed in language instruction, educational programs, special education, or migrant education.” (20 U.S. C. S119)

What do paraprofessionals do?

Roles of a Paraprofessional Social Support Academic Support Physical Support Behavior Support

What is special education? Special education is individualized instruction (specially designed) designed to meet the unique needs of certain students.  Part of general education  At no cost to the parents  Funded by local and federal governments.

Settings Resource Rooms Self-Contained Classrooms Inclusive (General Ed or Co-taught) Classrooms Community-Based Classrooms

Dis/Abilities Hearing impairment 1.19% Orthopedic/Physical 1.04 % Visual impairments 0.42% Traumatic Brain Injury 0.39% Deafblindness 0.03% 45.30% 3.20% 8.86% 7.83% 9.25% 1.31% 3.07%

13 Federally Recognized Categories Autism Deafblindness Deafness Emotional Disturbance Hearing Impairment Mental Retardation Multiple Disabilities Orthopedic Impairments Other Health Impairments Specific Learning Disabilities Speech and Language Visual Impairment including Blindness Traumatic Brain Injury

General Ed. Special Ed. General Ed. Special Ed. Brief History of Special Education

Prior to 1975, no legal right to attend school PL “Education for All Handicapped Children Act” Reauthorized in 2004 (IDEA)- students are educated in the least restrictive environment to the maximum extent appropriate.

History Access Accountability SeparateInclusive PlacementService AttendanceHigh Expectations AccommodateDesign for Access & Modifyand Participation by All

Individualized Education Plans

Academic Achievement, Functional Performance, and Learning Characteristics Social Development Physical Development Management Needs A statement on the effect of these needs on his/her progress in the general education curriculum

Working As a Team Paraprofessional Special Educator General Educator Family Therapists (OT, PT, SL) Psychologists Social Workers Vision Teachers Audiologists

Communication Making the time to communicate *set a designated meeting time* Communication Notebook Mailbox Proofread notes home to parents Lesson plan sharing

Paraeducator Communication Folder

Commonly Asked Questions… I am not sure what I am supposed to be doing in art class. We have never talked, so mostly I just sit and support 2 students. What should I do? I have read about common support arrangements, but we do not use any of them; instead I just sit or walk around and support. How can I suggest that we use these strategies? What if I feel uncomfortable with a role I’ve been assigned? What is confidential about my job? What do I do on the sport when someone asks me something that is confidential?

Presuming Competence

Growth Mindset

Person-First Language Instead of this….Say This…. The learning disabled student, Gail. Gail has a learning disability. Jeff is retarded.Jeff has a cognitive disability. Torey is nonverbal.Torey communicates with her eyes and switch device. Ben is in special ed.Ben receives special education services. Dennis can’t write.Dennis writes using the computer. Anna has vision problems.Anna needs a magnification device.

Multiple Intelligences

Reflection