After a general statement on approach (including information on background, rationale, difficulties, and purpose), this description of a detailed, exploratory, developmental study of the utilization of low income paraprofessional school personnel in an upward mobility program is divided into two phases. The first phase, defining role development and training, is a composite of 15 demonstration projects (including a section on the analysis of role perception) and detailed studies of two institutes for the training of auxiliary personnel. Presented as phase two of the study is an in-depth description of five continuing projects. Focusing on the effective utilization of paraprofessionals in meaningful tasks (involving direct contact with pupils to aid the teaching-learning process) as a foundation on which to build a comprehensive program of career development, the projects analyze the process of institutionalization of the auxiliary personnel. The five continuing projects are presented as case studies including detailed information on the community; the objectives, origins, research designs, methodology, and the results of the projects; and the roles, functions, criteria for selection, training, and demographic data of the paraprofessionals. Also included are recommendations for more effective use of ideas developed in the study and the implications of the study for the value of teamwork in education. (SM)