Six areas need consideration in establishing a program of paid aides: selecting a coordinator, planning with the professional staff, recruiting and selecting, matching aide strengths to program needs, orientation and training, and program monitoring. (SJL)

A special education teacher discusses ways to use aides effectively. Suggestions include discussing the daily schedule with the aide, providing time to review the day's activities, following a lesson with instruction in two smaller groups (one led by the aide), and using the aide to help with paperwork and discipline. (CL)

Cites benefits of using teacher aides in the classroom and discusses four important aspects of the aide-teacher relationship. Condensed from "North Carolina Education," January-February 1981, p2. (Editor/SJL)

Recognizing the diversity in experience and training among teacher aides, the Yucaipa School District established a formal inservice program for this employee group. This article describes how the district developed a seminar program to help instructional aides in improving their skills. Reactions to the program were favorable. (Author/SJL)

Paraeducators were first introduced into American classrooms in response to teacher shortages during the early years of the post-World War II baby boom. Today, they are major participants in the delivery of education and special services, from early childhood through high school, for children with and without disabilities, and for those who speak…

The author offers guidelines for teaching volunteers and aides as classroom tutors. It is suggested that the tutor be instructed in administering pretests to students. Materials needed for tutoring are outlined, a simple teaching sequence is offered, and tutor supervision is mentioned. (SBH)

A study utilized survey and case-study techniques supplemented by examination of documents to facilitate a sociopolitical investigation of the concept and role of ethnic teacher aides in state schools in Victoria, Australia. A theoretical framework was developed, combining an historical sociology of knowledge with a systems management perspective.…

The increasing importance of the paraprofessional as part of an education team warrants carefully contructed certification programs. This article (1) recounts the history of paraprofessionals; (2) provides four arguments in favor of certification; (3) describes one existing program; (4) suggests characteristics of effective programs; and (5) warns…

A study of 7 pupils aged 7-15 with physical disabilities found that school assistants could both facilitate and hinder student participation. Results suggest the need for awareness of priorities students place on social participation to ensure that effective and flexible support is available to students with disabilities. (Contains 42 references.)…

Teaching continuously requires more specialization and technical skills of teachers. The role of the paraprofessional in the school should be upgraded structurally and functionally to give teachers much needed assistance and free them from the burden of too many demands on their time. (JD)

Two tables show the number of teachers and pupils per teacher aide in school districts in the eight geographical regions of the United States in the 1984-85 school year. The Far West has the lowest pupil-to-teacher aide ratio, and the Mideast the highest. (PGD)

The teacher appeared to be perceived as more of an instructional manager than as solely a provider of direct instruction. Categories perceived not to be primarily the teacher's responsibility included curriculum, adaptive aids, and behavioral instructional approaches. (CL)

The effectiveness of using 75 aides in special education classrooms in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was evaluated in terms of impact on students, classrooms, and staff. Interviews, record reviews, and survey research were used to collect data. Findings revealed that aides were perceived as having a positive impact on the children through more…

The use of paraprofessionals on the teaching team has helped teachers maximize use of their professional and technical skills, but has also made it easier for several problems to develop. Teachers cite problems in authority and role confusion, personality conflicts, misalignment of instructional priorities, and task inefficiency. These problems…