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What is the
curriculum?
The curriculum for these training academies is
based on the
Idaho Standards for Paraprofessionals.
Trainers
engage with paraprofessionals to develop competency in entry and
intermediate levels of these standards. The program is
designed
to cover each standard at least one time, with the major
standards such as “materials modification” and
“instructional
strategies” being covered throughout the year. Advanced strands
are offered toward the end of the year. Program staff will work
with districts to assign paraprofessionals to sessions that are
most applicable to the needs of
the paraprofessional and/or
district, and to provide portfolio activities to be completed by
the paraprofessional to
inform the district of the his or her
knowledge AND performance in key areas.
The standards are
outlined below:
BASIC KNOWLEDGE
The paraprofessional has a basic knowledge of the
discipline(s) taught and supports the teacher/provider in
creating learning experiences that make the
subject matter meaningful for students.
STUDENT LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT
The paraprofessional has a basic knowledge of how
students learn and develop and assists in providing
opportunities that support their intellectual, social, and
personal development.
DIFFERENTIATING INSTRUCTION
The paraprofessional knows that students differ
in their
approaches to learning and assists in creating instructional
opportunities that are adapted to students with diverse needs.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES
The paraprofessional understands and uses a
variety of
instructional strategies to assist the teacher/provider.
EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT
The paraprofessional understands the impact of
the educational environment on student learning, self-motivation
and
positive social interaction and assists in creating a
positive learning environment.
COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES
The paraprofessional uses a variety of
communication techniques including verbal, nonverbal, and media in and
beyond
the classroom.
IMPLEMENTING INSTRUCTIONAL PLANS
The paraprofessional implements teacher/provider
designed instructional plans based upon knowledge of
subject
matter, students, the community, and curriculum goals.
STUDENT EVALUATION
The paraprofessional supports the
teacher/provider in
evaluating the intellectual, social and physical
development of
the student.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The paraprofessional engages in continued
professional improvement toward an identified goal.
PROFESSIONAL INTERACTION
The paraprofessional interacts in a professional,
effective manner with colleagues, parents, and
other members of
the community to support students' learning and well being.
What happens once
paraprofessionals come back to the classroom?
The Together in Excellence Program is designed to
provide the knowledge section of the Idaho Paraprofessional Educator Standards to each paraprofessional in attendance at the
sessions, but some district personnel believe
that the real
power of the sessions lies in the portfolio that
paraprofessionals produce to "show they know." At
the end of
each session, our presenters provide several activities that
paraprofessionals may complete to
demonstrate their knowledge of
a particular principle. The Boise School District Title 1,
Library and ELL
paraprofessionals were required to complete 2
activities for each standard to add to their portfolios. Work
sessions were provided to assist paraprofessionals with this
activity. The portfolios were then used as one
indicator of a
paraprofessional performance. Since this was a standards-based
indicator and was reflective of
what the paraprofessional was
required to do in the classroom, it provided meaningful
information to supervisors
and served as a tool to facilitate
conversations about future goals of the paraprofessional.
Why is
training for paraprofessionals
important?
NCLB has heightened state and federal guidelines
for paraprofessional qualifications, which require
paraprofessionals (especially Title 1 paraprofessionals and all
paraprofessionals in school-wide Title 1 schools) to
demonstrate, on
formal state or local academic assessments,
knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing
reading, writing,
and mathematics. Additionally, as
required in most instances, our trainings are designed to assist
districts in
helping newly-hired paraprofessionals achieve the
intermediate level standards within three years of
employment.*
* For more information, see the Idaho Paraprofessional
Requirements at:
http://www.sde.state.id.us/sasa/documents/IdahoParaprofessionalRequirements.doc
What have
people said about these trainings?
"Our
paraprofessionals found the sessions to be challenging and
interesting-- delivered in a manner of respect
and
professionalism. As an administrator, I appreciate knowing that
high quality, well organized workshops, based
on the state
paraprofessional standards, are being coordinated by a group of
such talented people. Through the
portfolio that the Title 1,
Library and ELL paras create, I am able to see that they
demonstrate performance in the
State Paraprofessional
Standards."
Dr.
Ann Farris, Federal Programs Director
Boise School District
“Boise State University's Center for School
Improvement and Policy Studies department has consistently
provided
organized conferences with quality speakers to our
nearly 400 special education paraprofessionals. We hear from
supervising teachers and principals that the paras are able to
apply the information back at their schools. The paras
report
that they really learn and enjoyed these in-services!”
Shelley Retter,
Director of Special Education
Boise School District
“Excellent speakers, quality and quantity. I feel
more of the district staff would benefit from these speakers and
trainings!”
Boise School
District Paraprofessional
“Speakers made the content fun and easy to
understand. I learned ways that I can improve, that will make a
big
difference in my work relationships.”
Boise School
District Paraprofessional
How much
does it cost?
Tuition is $200 per paraprofessional, based on a
minimum of 50 paraprofessionals participating, for a series of
three
trainings that will convene during the 2007-2008 school
year on the Boise State University campus* in a professional
conference setting with paraprofessionals from other Idaho
districts.
What are the training dates?
Academies are held from 8 AM to 3 PM on the
following dates:
-
October 12, 2007
-
January 11, 2008
-
February 15, 2008
** Training in
other regional locations may be scheduled by contacting our
Center.
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