Paraprofessional Information and Resources
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Paraprofessionals play important roles in improving student achievement. To this end, the No Child Left Behind Act and Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act state that paraprofessionals are to be appropriately trained and supervised. The Connecticut State Department of Education has developed this website to provide resources for paraprofessionals, teachers, and administrators to understand the appropriate training, supervision, and evaluation of paraprofessionals. |
Click on the following links for detailed information:
Paraprofessional of the Year
Click here for information about nominations for Anne Marie Murphy Paraprofessional of the Year Award
Anne Marie Murphy Paraprofessional of the Year 2014 Award information packet
District Contact Paraprofessional Newsletter - November 2012
Regulations and Legislation
Definition of a Paraprofessional (CT): The following is the CT State Department of Education’s definition of a paraprofessional:
A paraprofessional is an employee who assists teachers and/or other professional educators or therapists in the delivery of instructional and related services to students. The paraprofessional works under the direct supervision of the teacher or other certified or licensed professional. The ultimate responsibility for the design, implementation and evaluation of instructional programs, including assessment of student progress, is a collaborative effort of certified and licensed staff.
Connecticut Regulations Section 10-145d-401 requires anyone employed by a local public school district that is not directly supervised in the delivery of instructional services to have appropriate state certification.
PRI Briefing Report and Findings and Recommendations: The Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee authorized a
study of school paraprofessionals in April 2006. The study focused on whether Connecticut should establish minimum standards for public school paraprofessionals who perform instructional tasks for students in kindergarten though twelfth grade (K-12) and whether different categories should be established for different duties.
Sec. 10-155k of the 2008 Supplement to the General Statutes requires the Commissioner of Education to establish a School Paraprofessional Advisory Council consisting of one representative from each state-wide bargaining representative organization that represents school paraprofessionals with instructional responsibilities. The council shall advise, at least quarterly, the Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee, of the needs for the training of such paraprofessionals and the effectiveness of the content and the delivery of existing training for such paraprofessionals.
Minutes from Meetings:
January 27, 2009 [
PDF]
May 19, 2009 [
PDF]
March 2, 2011 [
PDF]
May 17, 2011 [
PDF]
September 20, 2011 [
PDF]
Professional Development Opportunities:
The Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) has been approved through Charter Oak State College to offer the COMPASS paraprofessional training to practicing and aspiring paraprofessionals who are seeking collegiate credits. The following courses are available for credit: Introduction to Paraprofessional (3 credits), Paraprofessional Internship (2 credits), Behavior Techniques (3 credits), Exceptional Learners (3 credits), and Working with the Autistic Learner and Assistive technology (3 credits).
If you wish to prepare for a job as paraprofessional or to obtain a college degree, these courses will benefit you and the district where you work. For those of you who work in a district that provides tuition reimbursement, it is likely that these courses will qualify for reimbursement. These courses are designed for students who work during the day and so they can be provided at the district after working hours, making it easier for working paraprofessionals to attend.
If you are interested in obtaining credit while learning relevant information to a present or future job, contact Peg MacDonald, TABS Support Team Director (860) 524-4037
Resources:
Presentations:
Paraprofessional Overview Documents:
This one-day module will provide an overview of the components of CALI. Participants will gain a better understanding of the essential elements of each component and how they can support teachers as they implement these elements.
In this interactive seminar, participants will:
- Learn the current legislation regarding paraprofessionals;
- Become familiar with the Connecticut Guidelines for Training and Support of Paraprofessionals;
- Learn about the Connecticut Accountability for Learning Initiative (CALI) and why it is a priority of the Connecticut State Department of Education;
- Explore how paraprofessionals can assist teachers with maintaining environments that create a physically, emotionally, and intellectually safe environment for all learners;
- Understand how and why teachers use data to make instructional decisions;
- Understand the four principles of the differentiated classroom;
- Understand the components of a balanced assessment system: interim, formative assessment tools and practices; and summative
District Contacts for Paraprofessional Issues
The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) established the District Contacts for Paraprofessional Issues to disseminate information of importance to paraprofessionals and their supervisors.
A newsletter is emailed, each month, to district contacts.
If you have any questions please contact:
Iris White
Education Consultant
Bureau of Acccountability and Improvement
Connecticut State Department of Education
165 Capitol Ave.
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: (860) 713-6794
Fax: (860) 713-7035
Email: Iris.white@ct.gov
