Scholarship and policy emphasize strengthening the early childhood education (ECE) workforce, but this work neglects a large segment of the workforce: assistant teachers. The present study responds to gaps in knowledge by examining the demographic characteristics, qualifications, professional supports, and workplace experiences of assistant…

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are being recognized globally for their influential role in realizing the UN Millennium Development Goal of education for all in developing countries. NGOs mostly employ untrained para-educators for grassroots activities. The professional development of these teachers is critical for NGO effectiveness, yet…

This booklet describes the Washington, D.C., Teacher Aide Program (TAP), a project designed to develop methods of training nonprofessionals to work with teachers in schools attended by children of low-income families. Chapters include: (1) a descriptive overview of the program with notes on its background and the staff; (2) discussion of the…

The Tuba City Elementary School, located in a Bureau of Indian Affairs Sub-agency Headquarters on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona, has conducted a teacher aide program since August 1965. Specific teacher aide duties have been developed for routine record-keeping, small group and individual instruction, and supervisory activities. Teacher aides…

This two part Saskatchewan NewStart school aide curriculum guide outlines program content and procedures for trainees and for their instructors. Stressing the responsibility of trainees for much of the content impact, the first volume provides questions, training outlines, and other resources (including guidelines on microteaching) to equip…

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)

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…

The author presents an individualized instruction method for teaching beginning typing using teacher aides. It was learned that students' achievement levels were higher when the course was taught as one module for a year, rather than two modules a semester. (AG)

Benshoff and others explore misconceptions about the inservice training needs, continuing education, supervision, and evaluation of rehabilitation paraprofessionals. A response by Emener draws distinctions between professionals and paraprofessionals. (SK)

Reports on a federal grant given to Maryland's Prince George's County to explore use of instructional aides in secondary schools as a means of carrying out desegregation plan. (DS)

The use of paraprofessionals in the schools has been accepted on a nationwide scale. It is no longer a question of whether they should be used in the classroom but how best to prepare them and to use their talents and potential. The author offers suggestions and guidelines for accomplishing these goals. Topics covered were (1) selection, including…

SHORTAGES IN TRAINED PERSONNEL FOR PRESCHOOL CHILD CARE AND HEAD START LED TO THIS PILOT PROGRAM THE PURPOSES OF WHICH WERE (1) TO DEVELOP A TRAINING MODEL FOR NON-PROFESSIONAL PRESCHOOL AIDES, (2) TO DETERMINE THE VALUE OF SELECTION CRITERIA IN TRAINEE SUCCESS, (3) TO EVALUATE THE TRAINEES' UNDERSTANDING, (4) TO DEVELOP MATERIALS SUITABLE FOR…

A review of literature between 1942 and 1967 on the use of nonprofessionals in elementary and secondary education indicates that authors somehow involved with teacher aide projects tend to be favorably impressed, while those lacking such involvement are critical. Difficulties in class management, supervision, and evaluation have been cited by…

A study was conducted to evalu"te the effectiveness of Federal Assistance for Staff Training, a project offering inservice education in a workshop format to 6,226 administrators, teachers, secretaries, custodians, and parent-teacher aides from Detroit public and parochial schools. Goals were (1) improving the competencies of staff in their…

In order (1) to determine how auxiliaries (lay readers and instructional, clerical, and housekeeping aides) were used in secondary English departments, (2) to determine the reasons for English departments discontinuing the use of auxiliaries, and (3) to evaluate the way auxiliaries were used, questionnaires were sent to two groups: schools using…