Paraprofessionals are an integral part of special education services in today’s schools.  They are a vital link to the student as well as the community.  The use of paraprofessionals continues to increase.  Their roles are multifaceted.  Paraprofessionals may have great impact on students with special needs and their families in relation to reaching educational goals.  These issues have impacted the need for awareness and training to strengthen the skills of the paraprofessional working in schools today. 

Program Description

To meet the changing demands for skilled paraprofessionals in today’s classrooms, the Arkansas Department of Education, Special Education Unit, has developed a training program for paraprofessionals who provide direct service to students with special needs.  The training program is a collaborative effort between paraprofessionals, teachers, administrators, parents and their communities.  The training is designed to be informational, practical and activity based for paraprofessionals.  The core training consists of three modules, each six hours, which are interactive and enhance the knowledge and variability of instructional demands relative to the responsibilities of paraprofessionals.  The sessions are presented through facilitator directed activities and power point presentations.  The paraprofessionals receive handouts during the sessions that will serve as valuable resources for use when the training is completed.  Pre and post tests are administered to the paraprofessionals on the expected competencies for each module.

The Arkansas Department of Education, Special Education Unit (ADE/SEU), maintains a registry of all paraprofessionals who have completed the modules with the date of completion.  After paraprofessionals complete the training, information is submitted to the ADE/SEU by the training facilitator.  Paraprofessionals receive certificates as documentation that the training was successfully completed.  Local education agencies can access the registry information through MySPED Resource.  Specific information for paraprofessionals within the district is available by clicking on Para Training Summary under the heading labeled Personnel/Paraprofessionals.

The Paraprofessional Training Modules are available on the Special Education Unit’s website.  They can be found in the State Program Development section, labeled Paraprofessional Modules and can be directly accessed at the following link:

(http://arksped.k12.ar.us/sections/spd/ParaprofessionalModule.htm)
Each module has the sign-in sheets, pre and post tests, power point presentation, and handouts.  A facilitator/trainer manual is available for some modules.  Additionally an evaluation form is included for paraprofessionals to complete at the conclusion of each training module.

Core

The Core training is comprised of three (3) modules, and is REQUIRED before taking the remaining modules. Each module is designed to be six (6) hours in length.  At the completion of the Core training, paraprofessionals will receive 18 hours of professional development. 

The modules within the Core training are as follows:

• Foundations of Special Education (revised July 2010):  Explains, discusses and defines the roles and responsibilities of the teacher and paraprofessional. Discusses the legal, ethical and professional standards for paraprofessionals as a member of the student’s IEP team.  Provided strategies for instructional techniques. (6 hours)
• Behavior:  Presents various research based around the issues of behavior and students in the classroom.  (6 hours)
• Special Health Care (new June 2010):  A Registered Nurse is required to provide this training.  Addresses issues on how to ensure safe and effective services for students with special health care needs and the role of the paraprofessional in providing those services.  (6 hours)

Additional modules are available in the following areas and may be completed in any order after the Core training.

• Cultural Awareness / English Language Learners (ELL): Discusses the diversity addressed in our society and schools today. Provides awareness of the many factors that affect learning for students with disabilities that have English as a second language. (6 hours)
• Early Childhood: Addresses specific characteristics and traits of infants, toddlers and young   children from ages 0-5 to include behavior and instructional techniques.  (6 hours)
• Literacy: The goals of this module are to gain an awareness and understanding of Arkansas initiatives; to understand the role of the five essential elements of literacy; to understand how to apply systematic and direct practice to assist students in acquiring literacy skills; and how to apply instructional techniques and content that will reinforce effective reading instruction. (6 hours)
• Introduction to Low Incidence Disabilities (new July 2009):  Discusses low incidence disabilities; hearing impairments, vision impairments, deafblindness.  Explains characteristics, accommodations, and strategies for teaching students with low incidence disabilities.  (6 hours)
• Secondary: Discusses the characteristics and traits affecting paraprofessionals working at the secondary level to include Work Experience programs. (6 hours)
  

The Paraprofessional Training Modules are now available on the modules website. Each module has the pre and post tests, handouts, sign-in sheets, and facilitator's manual that are required for each training. For more information, contact:

Personnel Development Coordinator

Arkansas Department of Education

Special Education

1401 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 450

Little Rock, AR 72201-2936

Telephone: 501-682-4222