This handbook is intended for teachers who supervise special education practicum students in the K-12 special education program at the School of Education, the University of Colorado at Denver. It describes the processes, relationships, responsibilities, and skills students are expected to demonstrate during their practicum. Individual sections…

This study examined the practices of 321 special education teachers with responsibility for supervising paraprofessionals. Teachers reported little preparation for supervision; most were not involved in hiring but were responsible for evaluation; most provided oral, not written instructions; few held regular meetings with paraprofessionals; and…

Twenty suggestions are provided for helping teachers to become more effective managers of paraprofessionals and to improve the ways paraprofessionals work with students with learning disabilities. These include: provide orientation; find out what the paraprofessionals' work-style preferences are; assess the skills of the paraprofessional; observe…

This study examined the relationship between 18 pairs of special-education resource teachers and the paraeducators they supervise. Teachers were divided in their beliefs about the fundamental role of paraeducators, whether as assistants to the teacher or to the student. Teachers also expressed reluctance about their supervisory role, preferring to…

This case study describes the experiences of a newly graduated speech-language pathologist working in a small urban school district with a series of speech-language assistants who have various levels of qualifications and personality types. It illustrates how professional supervision skills, preservice paraprofessional training,…

This final report discusses the activities and outcomes of a project that provided training on the Paraeducator Supervision Academy (PSA) Model (curriculum, instructional materials, and supervision of paraprofessionals) to faculty who will prepare future school professionals. Training was provided to faculty and preservice students in schools and…