Northside ISD Transforms Special Education Training with Inclusive Instruction & Interventions Library

Supporting Over 1,000 Paraprofessionals and Elevating Training for Special Ed Staff Across the Fourth-Largest Texas District

The Challenge

As the fourth-largest school district in Texas, Northside Independent School District (ISD) serves over 100,000 students and employs approximately 13,000 staff members across 132 campuses. With more than 1,050 paraprofessionals, or instructional assistants, supporting classrooms, Northside faced mounting challenges in coordinating effective, scalable professional development, especially for special education personnel.

For years, the district relied on live, in-person training events during the summer to meet the needs of paraprofessionals. However, these events presented logistical hurdles, including limited session availability and scheduling constraints. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic only amplified these difficulties, accelerating the need for flexible, high-quality online alternatives.

“We needed a way to effectively reach all our paraprofessionals, especially new hires, and to provide our teachers and instructional assistants with targeted, relevant training at scale,” said Mark Yarber, Elementary Area Special Education Coordinator at Northside ISD.

The Choice

Northside ISD implemented Vector Solutions’ Inclusive Instruction & Interventions online professional development library, initially adopting the paraeducator training bundle to address immediate needs during the pandemic. After recognizing the platform’s success and flexibility, the district rapidly expanded access to include:

• All Instructional Assistants (IAs)
• Early Childhood Education Staff
• Special Education Teachers
• District-Wide Training Programs for New and Returning Paraprofessionals

By 2024, Northside had fully integrated the library into their Virtual Instructional Assistant Institute, offering both self-paced and hybrid learning opportunities to staff.

The Change

Thanks to Vector Solutions’ library of more than 100 expert-authored courses, Northside ISD was able to:

• Replace summer-only sessions with year-round, on-demand training.
• Assign targeted courses based on job codes, years of experience, and teacher evaluations (TTESS).
• Build custom courses and customized onboarding tracks with three mandatory courses for first-year paraprofessionals, and three follow-up courses for second-year staff.
• Empower administrators and area coordinators to recommend courses that align with identified needs.

Yarber notes that teachers and paraprofessionals now receive continuing education (CPE) credit, and the district is exploring ways to offer teacher-choice credit for participation outside of contract hours.

Administrators also leverage monthly completion reports and collaborate with the Teaching & Learning Department to ensure alignment with district goals.

The Future

Northside ISD is committed to further expansion of Vector’s Inclusive Instruction & Interventions platform. Future goals include:

• Extending access to general education teachers and integrating professional development into teacher evaluation systems.
• Exploring new content in trauma-informed practices, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and behavior management.

“We’re not just using the library, we’re shaping how PD is delivered in our district,” Yarber shared. “And we’re excited about what’s next.”

About Vector Solutions

Vector Solutions’ Inclusive Instruction & Interventions course library includes 100+ expert-authored courses designed to help administrators, teachers, and paraeducators support the unique needs of every learner and effectively manage challenging classroom behavior. Topics include ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Behavior Management, Co-Teaching, Differentiated Instruction, Special Education Law, Trauma-Informed Practices, and more.

For more information, visit VectorSolutions.com/k12.