Paraeducator Handbook

Who is the Paraeducator?

The paraeducator is a school employee who works alongside and under the supervision of a licensed or certificated educator to suppport and assist in providing instructional and other services to children, youth, and their families. The licensed educator remains responsible for the overall conduct and management of the class-room or program; the design, implementation, and evaluation of instructional program; and student progress.

—Definition adapted from A. L. Pickett, National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals, City University of New York, 1993.

Para is a prefix derived from ancient Greek meaning alongside of or akin to, and it has been used for many years to designate those who work with and assist licensed professionals in fields such as medicine and law. Like paralegals and paramedics, paraeducators are respected members of the professional team, and the professionals who supervise them direct and delegate their work, but are not administrators.

Paraeducators have chosen their profession, and they know they are an integral part of the instructional process. It is important that the value of the work they perform be acknowledged and that they be recognized as career partners in the quest for educational excellence and reform. They are concerned about their access to professional development programs because they know that they need to keep up with changes in curriculum and technology just as other professionals must. The decision makers in every school district that employs paraeducators should understand that need and do all in their power to fulfill it.

Paraeducators are known by many job titles, only a few of which are included in the list below:

• Behavior Interventionist
• Career Specialist
• Classroom Assistant
• Early Childhood Education Assistance Program (ECEAP) Family Support
• Educational Assistant
• Educational Paraprofessional
• Educational Technician (Ed Tech)
• English as a Second Language (ESL)/Bilingual Assistant
• Guidance Specialist
• Home Liaison
• Instructional Aide
• Instructional Assistant
• Interpreter
• Job Coach
• Learning Assistance Program (LAP) Assistant
• Occupational Information Specialist
• Outreach Specialist
• Paraeducator
• Paraprofessional
• Playground Assistant
• Secondary Programs Assistant
• Special Education Assistant
• Speech/Language Assistant
• Supervision Aide
• Teacher Assistant
• Teacher Aide
• Team Partner
• Technology Assistant
• Transition Specialist
• Tutor

To "Who benefits from the work of paraeducators?"