Title:     Para ll-A (Special Education Program and Instructional Support)

Reports To:         Certified Faculty/Administrator

Supervises:        NA

Position Purpose:            To ensure the successful learning of exceptional students by providing and facilitating quality support to programs and personnel.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalency; possess 48 hours of college coursework or pass the equivalency exam.
• Ability to successfully accomplish/complete 20 hours annual in-service training.
• Conscientiously accept and follow directions.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Exhibit sound judgment.
• Skills in:
  • Typing and word processing
  • Operating general office machinery
  • Performing general bookkeeping
  • Operating a computer
  • Operating and maintaining learning assistance software
• Fundamental understanding of special education students.
• Adaptable to variety of situations.

Physical/Emotional Requirements:  (The incumbent may be required to use the following skills and abilities during any part of the working day.) Speaking, hearing, manual dexterity (coordination of eye/hand for such activities as typing, calculating, word processing, and the like), bending, stooping, sitting, walking, standing, lifting (up to 50 lbs.).  Some positions will require the ability to provide physical assistance and personal care for students with various disabilities.

Performance Responsibilities:

Assignments vary by location, programs, and students served.  The position requires the ability and willingness to work with students receiving gifted services or having disabilities ranging from mild to severe.

Each para will be assigned to work in one or more of the following environment(s).

• Work with an individual professional and/or student throughout the day.
• Work as a team member (composed of paras and certified professionals).
• Under the direction of a certified faculty member, work individually with varied students throughout the day.
• Work as a team with varied groups of students throughout the day.

Listed below are a variety of expectations which may be assigned by the certified supervisor. This is a representative list and is not meant to be all inclusive. As assigned:

• Assist in daily instruction and training
• Assist students in achieving their individual objectives
• Provide assistance and care in such activities as dressing, eating, drinking, toileting and grooming
• Record/chart student data
• Assist in restraining students
• Monitor students for changes which require medication
• Tutor children individually and in groups
• Set up equipment for testing and learning
• Communicate effectively with patrons and students
• Assist students with therapy procedures initiated by the certified supervisor
• Perform liaison duties between staff and parents
• Conduct home visits
• Assist families in accessing available community resources
• Assist in obtaining emergency services such as clothing, food, medical services, etc.
• Monitor students and provide assistance for in-school suspension, lunchroom, recess, field trips, and hall supervision
• Under the direction of a certified staff member, monitor library/learning centers, laboratories and equipment
• Assist students with therapy procedures initiated by the certified supervisor
• Administer, score, and record achievement and diagnostic tests under the supervision of a certified faculty member
• Type, organize, duplicate, distribute and file correspondence, reports, tests, testing materials
• Prepare and maintain records and reports
• Transcribe taped information
• Complete record forms including histories, needs, problems, and recommended action
• Operate and care for assigned equipment
• Perform general bookkeeping tasks, including the collection and recording of collected money
• Answer phone, provide information when appropriate, relay messages, set up appointments
• Assist school personnel, parents, and students in the successful transition and integration of students into the proper learning environment(s)
• Organize and/or schedule conferences
• Assist in implementing plans by notifying, scheduling, coordinating, and presenting information
• Assist with behavior control as needed
• Assist with attendance, data collection, and graphing
• Receive, sort, process, and distribute equipment, materials, and mail
• Attend professional development meetings and other meetings, as assigned

Terms of Employment:

9 months; salary and work year to be determined by the Board of Education.

Evaluation:

Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board policy on evaluation of Paraprofessional Personnel

Significant associations:

The performance responsibilities are not limited to those outlined in this description and may include any other responsibilities as assigned by the administrator/supervisor.