Description
Do you know which certified paraprofessional is qualified to do what in your school, and why specific credentials are required? Are unclear expectations causing role confusion that slows instruction and risks compliance? Schools often misuse paraprofessionals when distinctions between roles are not understood, and certified para roles are essential for IDEA compliance, Title I requirements, student safety, and instructional quality. In this course, Michelle Dragalin builds foundational clarity on the seven certified paraprofessional roles, the training or exams each requires, and the legal and instructional reasons these roles exist so teachers, administrators, and paras can deploy support effectively and align certified paraprofessional roles to student needs.
Objectives
List the seven certified paraprofessional roles and the core credential or training each requires.
Describe legal and instructional reasons for certified roles and how they differ from general paraprofessionals.
Match common classroom and school scenarios to the appropriate certified paraprofessional role.
Review a sample staffing plan to identify role mismatches and potential compliance risks.
Judge the effectiveness of current role use against safety, compliance, and instructional quality criteria.
Develop a one page reference chart and onboarding brief that clarifies certified roles, tasks, and collaboration norms for your campus.
