Best practices for the use and training of paraprofessionals

Abstract

Over the last decade, the use of paraprofessionals to provide special education delivery has greatly increased. Despite this fact, very little research has been performed to determine whether this is an effective manner for service provision. Research to complete the literature review was conducted by searching the databases Academic Search Premier, ERIC, and PsychArticles for journal articles to identify how paraprofessionals are currently used, how the law describes their appropriate use, and what effects their use for the provision of special education service delivery has on student outcomes. A review of the literature found that although there are general guidelines for paraprofessional use, no researched standards of practice exist for the use and training of paraprofessionals. The professional training included in this project was developed to (a) inform school sites and/or districts of best practices, (b) lead them through the process of examining their use and training of paraprofessionals, and (c) help them work toward increasing their use of best practices.