Description

Andrea Capizzi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of the Practice, Department of Special Education

While paraeducators play a critical and integral role in the education of students with disabilities in inclusive and special education classrooms, lack of training and credentials can in some cases lead to less than desired performance of the skills necessary for effective pareduactors (Downing, Ryndak, & Clark, 2000). Paraeducators are often responsible for much of the individualized adult attention or instruction that special education students receive on a daily basis. Teachers are often responsible for supervising and training paraeducators to effectively work with the students on their caseload to attain educational goals, including related legal and ethical issues (Katsiyannis, Hodge, & Lanford, 2000; Rogan & Held, 1999). In this presentation we provide strategies for optimizing paraeducator support in the classroom to enhance student learning and behavior (Carroll, 2001; Giangreco, Edelman, & Broer, 2002; 2003). We discuss topics including collaboration between teachers and paraeducators; roles and responsibilities of paraeducators; training and professional development; and schoolwide planning to utilize paraeducator supports.

This annual series of workshops provides training for school teams that include both general and special educators. Workshops focus on innovative evidence-based practices to improve the quality of education for students with diverse learning needs. Founded in 1996, the Britt Henderson Training Series is made possible at no cost to participating educators through an endowment from the Robert and Carol Henderson family in memory of their son Brett.

Individuals and school teams are welcome.

For more information, contact Andrea Capizzi at (615) 473-8623 or andrea.capizzi@vanderbilt.edu.