Competency Area E Providing Instructional Support Providing Instructional

Competency Area E: Providing Instructional Support

Providing Instructional Support Competencies: n n n Provides regular, constructive feedback regarding each paraprofessional’s work performance. Encourages the involvement of paraprofessionals in setting goals and planning, implementing, and evaluating program and instructional activities. Coordinates collaboration among paraprofessionals and other staff, such as specialists. Efficiently manages resources related to student instruction, such as instructional materials, physical space, and personnel. Supports paraprofessionals in using modified instructional plans and materials to accommodate the exceptional learning needs of various students. Provides assistance and direction for paraprofessionals who work in independent capacities.

Time Spent on Instructional Tasks n More than eighty percent of the paraprofessionals in this survey reported spending at least half of their day on instructional tasks. And, seventy percent reported spending 75% or more of their day on instructional tasks. Wallace, Stahl, & Johnson (2003)

Feedback Checklist Gerlach (2003) Note specifically how the paraprofessional is doing on the following tasks: n Follows lesson plans n Establishes rapport with students n Shows understanding and sensitivity to student needs n Gives clear instructions to the student or group n Uses appropriate questions n Uses materials effectively

Feedback Checklist, cont. Gerlach (2003) Note specifically how the paraprofessional is doing on the following tasks: n Reinforces the teaching of the lesson objective n Keeps lesson focused on goals and objectives n Keeps students on task n Gives appropriate feedback to students n Uses reinforcement effectively n Records students’ responses n Stays on task and usse allotted time effectively

Performance Standards Wallace & Bartholomay (2003)

Performance Standards French (2003) n Independent - performs task, as taught, without guidance n Developing - performs task but relies on cues or prompts n Emerging - performs parts of the task but requires substantial guidance n Unable to perform - does not know how to perform

Percent of School Day Spent on Instructional Tasks Wallace, Stahl, & Johnson (2003)

Fifty-three percent of the paraprofessionals indicating they had adequate planning time reported that the person directing their work provided “specific verbal instructional for strategies and materials to use with the students. ” Wallace, Stahl, & Johnson (2003)

Adequacy with Amount of Planning Time Wallace, Stahl, & Johnson (2003) The percent of paraprofessionals that reported the planning time they had with the teachers that direct their day-to-day work was adequate (45%) was far lower that reported in 1997 (77%).

Planning Time - Frequency n Paraprofessionals who felt their planning time was adequate reported most often that they had daily (43%) and weekly (24%) planning time with the person who directed their day-to-day work. Wallace, Stahl, & Johnson (2003)

Frequency of Planning Time as a Function of Adequacy of Planning Time Wallace, Stahl, & Johnson (2003)

Planning time is clearly important… How do you create it?

What are some effective ways to provide instructional guidance and direction to paraprofessionals? - in writing? through lesson plans? during meetings? other ideas? ? ? How about those paraprofessionals working in community based settings?

How can you involve paraprofessionals in goal setting, instructional planning, and other aspects of planning when they often only work when students are present?

Sample structure for daily schedule DAILY SCHEDULE For Week of ___________ Time Paraprofessional Location/Activity Teacher Location/Activity 8: 00 -8: 30 Work with Joe, Sam-Rm 435 Plan w/Mrs. Larson-Office 8: 30 -9: 00 Walk with Joe to art room Same as above 9: 00 -9: 30 Work with Sam, Math-Rm 12 Co-teach Math-Rm 12 9: 30 -10: 00 Work with Sam, Marth-Rm 12 Co-teach Math-Rm 12 10: 00 -10: 30 Resource Room Support 10: 30 -11: 00 Resource Room Support Co-teach Social Studies-Rm 54 11: 00 -11: 30 Accompany Joe, Sam to Lunch Co-teach Social Studies-Rm 54 11: 30 -12: 00 Planning time in SPED office 12: 00 -12: 30 Library-computer lab IEP Meeting for Taylor-IMC

Lesson plans should guide paraprofessionals’ work A Lesson Plan for Application of Modifications and Adaptations Might Include n n n Student’s name, date and duration of plan IEP Objectives Tasks for General Class Topic Expectations for Joe Paraprofessional Tasks - (French, 2003)

Valued Member of the Instructional Team Eighty-eight percent (88%) of the paraprofessionals reported that they feel like a valued member of the instructional team.