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.
Description:
Project (Ed. S., School Psychology) -- California State University, Sacramento, 2009.