Equip Paraeducators to Meet Diverse Student Needs
Paraeducators play a critical role in helping teachers serve an increasingly diverse student population. Under the supervision of teachers and other school staff members, paraeducators are asked to perform a wide variety of tasks, including preparing learning materials, assisting individuals or small groups of students, providing individual support to children with disabilities, and helping teachers manage behavior in the classroom.
Providing targeted professional development (PD) helps to improve paraeducators’ effectiveness in supporting students with diverse needs. In this guide, we will share some best practices for implementing a successful PD program for paraeducators, including:
- Important considerations when selecting a PD program
- Strategies for developing a paraeducator PD plan
- Lessons from one district’s successful implementation
