The Board of Trustees recognizes that paraprofessionals support student learning by providing valuable assistance to teachers and other certificated personnel and enabling greater individualized instruction and supervision of students. Such employees may perform instructional and/or administrative tasks in accordance with law, Board policy and administrative regulation.
(cf. 1240 - Volunteer Assistance)
(cf. 4200 - Classified Personnel)
(cf. 6171 - Title I Programs)
Each paraprofessional shall be provided with a clear definition of his/her roles and responsibilities.
Paraprofessionals shall be under the immediate supervision and direction of certificated personnel.
In determining the assignment of paraprofessionals, the Superintendent/Principal or designee shall consider the greatest benefit to students based on such factors as class size, grade levels, student needs, subject matter and teacher workload.
The Superintendent/Principal or designee shall ensure that all paraprofessionals have appropriate training for their positions, ongoing support and regular performance assessments. Teachers shall receive training in how to collaborate effectively with an assistant and are expected to assign duties consistent with written job descriptions for paraprofessionals.
(cf. 4212 - Appointment and Conditions of Employment)
(cf. 4215 - Evaluation/Supervision)
(cf. 4131 - Staff Development)
(cf. 4231 - Staff Development)
The Board encourages qualified paraprofessionals to pursue opportunities that lead to attainment of a teaching credential and enable them to increase their skills and experience in the classroom.
(cf. 4112.2 - Certification)
(cf. 4112.21 - District Interns)
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
44390-44393 California School Paraprofessional Teacher Training Program
44833 Postsecondary students as nonteaching aides
44835 Duties of nonteaching work study aides
45340-45349 Instructional aides
45350-45354 Teacher assistants
54480-54486 Special Teacher Employment Programs
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5
12065-12070 Teacher aides for Special Teacher Employment Programs
PUBLIC LAW 107-110
1111 State plans
1119 Qualifications for teachers and paraprofessionals
Management Resources:
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PUBLICATIONS
Roles for Education Paraprofessionals in Effective Schools, 1997
WEB SITES
CTC Paraprofessional Teacher Training Program: http://www.ctc.ca.gov/para
U.S. Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov
California School Employees Association: http://www.csea.com
National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals: http://www.nrcpara.org
National Clearinghouse for Paraeducator Resources: http://www.usc.edu/dept/education/CMMR/
Clearinghouse.html
Policy LOS OLIVOS SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: May 10, 2004 Los Olivos, California