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Policy Briefs

Training for Paraprofessionals: The Community College Role explores the job responsibilities of paraprofessionals, the No Child Left Behind requirements, the community college responses to the legislation and provides state policy recommendations.
> Training for Paraprofessionals: The Community College Role" - PDF (412KB)

Are Community College Training Programs for Paraeducators Feasible?" by Nancy K. French and Elizabeth A. Cabell, available in full text from the Paraeducator Resource and Research Center (The PAR2A Center) at the University of Colorado at Denver.
This article presents the results of a study that demonstrates that community colleges can offer flexible training programs for paraeducators if the colleges address the needs of both the paraeducators and their employers.
> http://www.paracenter.org/resources/articles/arecommunitycollege.pdf

"Designing State and Local Policies for the Professional Development of Instructional Paraeducators" by Karen Schmidt and Richard Greenough, available from the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory.
This 2002 policy report from the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (NWREL) is a general guide for state and local agencies implementing paraeducator development programs. It includes the key elements of an effective program, promising practices adopted by states, and resources for standards and guidelines for programs.
> http://www.nwrel.org/planning/reports/paraeducator.pdf

"IDEA Partnerships: Paraprofessional Initiative"
The IDEA Partnerships are four national projects funded by the Office of Special Programs at the Department of Education to inform professionals, family and the public about the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This report looks at the use of paraprofessionals in special education. It discusses recommendations to ensure that paraprofessionals working with special education students are properly trained. It also includes a working definition of paraprofessionals.
> "IDEA Partnerships: Paraprofessional Initiative" - PDF (226KB)

"State Level Initiatives Related to Training and Supervision of Paraeducators" by Terri Wallace and Kent Gerlach, available from the National Association of State Directors of Spe cial Education, Inc.
This analysis examines five states with significant paraeducator initiatives. The analysis looks at the five state initiatives in depth and examines the changes generated by these initiatives and common themes addressed by the programs. The report can be downloaded for free or ordered in hard copy.
> http://www.nasdse.org/orderentry/ProductDetails.asp?itemno=PFR0153

"The Employment & Preparation of Paraeducators: The State-of-the-Art 2003" by Anna Lou Pickett, Marilyn Likins, and Terri Wallace, available from the National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals.
This report is the 7th in a series of reports examining how federal, state, and local education agencies address issues related to paraeducators. Issues addressed include the impact of th e No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 on paraeducators.
> http://www.nrcpara.org/resources/stateoftheart/index.php