Course Content

Topics and Learning Objectives

Day 1

Topics include:

• Roles and responsibilities of Paraprofessionals
• Education law
• Accommodations and Modifications
• Communication skills
• Writing Process
• RtI
• Data Collection Basics
• Levels of Support
• Stages of Learning
• Learning Strategies

Paraprofessionals will:

• Recognize that their actions are under the direction and supervision of the partner teachers
• Discuss the distinctions between roles and responsibilities of Paraprofessionals and partner teachers and how they will vary across settings
• Identify terms and meanings for many acronyms
• Identify the basics purposes of education laws: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and Section 504
• Discern the difference between an accommodation and a modification
• Begin a writing sample (Required by NCLB)
• Discuss their role in the Response to Intervention process
• Identify different types of data collection
• Recognize the different stages of learning and utilize suggested instructional strategies at each stage

Day 2

Topics include:

• Differentiated Instruction
• Writing Process, continued from Day 1
• Reading Basics
• Writing Basics
• Reading and Writing Assessment

Paraprofessionals will:

• Recognize that their actions are under the direction and supervision of the partner teachers
• Discuss their role in providing differentiated instruction
• Complete and turn in a writing sample (Required by NCLB
• Identify and apply various strategies to reinforce reading skills
• Identify and apply various strategies to reinforce writing skills
• Review for, complete, and pass the Reading and Writing assessment

Day 3

Topics include:

• Communication skills
• Confidentiality
• TEKS & STAAR Test
• TEKS Resource System and Vertical Alignment
• Behavior Basics
• Math Basics
• Certification process

Paraprofessionals will:

• Recognize that their actions are under the direction and supervision of the partner teachers
• Identify and practice effective communication skills with students, families, and school and community personnel
• Identify ethical practices and responses for confidential communication
• Discern the difference between TEKS and STAAR and how these terms impact their role
• Identify the purpose of TEKS Resource System and how vertical alignment fits in the big picture
• Identify and apply various strategies to reinforce behavior skills
• Identify and apply various strategies to reinforce math skills
• Review for, complete, and pass the Math assessment
• Discuss the certification and renewal process

Take and PASS the course test.