Internationally, teacher assistants (TAs) have emerged as a prominent feature of inclusive educational service delivery and existing research has focused extensively on their roles, training and supervision. In the context of this special issue on TAs, this article describes reasons why relying extensively on TAs as a central feature of inclusive…

In this article, we describe the self-directed change made by a rural elementary school in response to a data-based examination of its service-delivery model that revealed its lowest performing students were spending most of their time with the school's least qualified staff. This mixed-method case study describes (a) why and how the school…

Paraprofessional utilization has steadily risen in an effort to meet the needs of students with disabilities in inclusion-oriented classrooms. To date, no widely accepted processes exist to assist schools in determining when the use of paraprofessional staff is warranted. Many schools have attempted to fill this void by developing local processes…

This workbook is designed to assist educators in establishing a team for planning for paraeducator supports and addressing paraeducator issues. Worksheets are provided for implementing the following 10 planning steps: (1) inform the local school board of the intention to establish a team to address paraeducator issues; (2) ensure that the team…

A study examined the changes in team membership for 18 students with deaf-blindness from 1994-95 to 1997-98. Findings highlight the many people who are involved in each student's education and the high level of turnover among professional staff. Implications for managing changes in team membership are discussed. (Author/CR)

The Vermont Interdependent Services Team Approach (VISTA), a process to facilitate consensus decision making about type and frequency of support services, was tested by 11 educational teams serving seven students (ages 4-20) with multiple disabilities. Results indicate that support service decisions changed, specialists made different decisions…

The Vermont Independent Services Team Approach (VISTA), is a cross-disciplinary method for planning consensus decisions about type, mode, and frequency of related services required to support a student's educational program. After six student planning teams used the VISTA model, team members reported higher levels of confidence in team practices…

A study chronicled the use of a process of planning for paraeducator supports by teams in 46 schools in 13 states during the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 school years. Findings indicated that the process assisted school teams in self-assessing their paraeducators practices, identifying priorities, and developing action plans and implementing them.…

Successful classroom teachers have the skills to teach students with disabilities. Teachers should consult with colleagues and specialists; welcome disabled students; accept full teaching responsibility; facilitate students' belonging; clarify expectations with team members; adapt activities and arrangements; provide active, participatory learning…

This study evaluated data from 73 educational team members who used an updated version of the Vermont Interdependent Services Team Approach (VISTA) to assist them in planning support services for 11 students with multiple disabilities in general education classes. The changes were perceived positively, especially the overall quality, practicality,…

This final report documents the activities and products of the Related Services Research Project to Support the Education of Students with Deaf Blindness, a four-year research project which was designed to define, implement, and evaluate a set of specific strategies that would result in effective special education and related service provision for…

This article discusses the increasing use of paraprofessionals in special education and addresses the following five areas: the role of paraprofessionals, the impact of the proximity of paraprofessionals on students with disabilities, the impact of paraprofessionals on teacher engagement, the importance of professional recognition, and strategies…

These instructor and participant manuals provide a basic training program curriculum for paraeducators supporting students with disabilities in inclusive educational settings. The course requires approximately 18 hours of instruction and 12 hours of practicum, can be offered in a variety of formats (intensively or over a number of weeks), and does…

In recognition of the limitations of isolated decision making, teamwork has emerged as a preferred approach for educating students both with and without disabilities. The Vermont Interdependent Services Team Approach (VISTA) process described in this manual offers ways to think about and implement many of the tenets of collaborative teamwork to…

These two manuals provide instructors and participants with a curriculum designed to facilitate collaborative and constructive relationships among teachers and special educators as they direct the work of paraeducators in the delivery of services to students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms. The course is intended to require approximately…