Filling a Gap: New Training for Parapros

As more schools embrace inclusive education, many are discovering they lack sufficient training for the paraprofessionals who support students with disabilities in general education classrooms. A new training series created by the TIES Center at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration helps fill this gap.

The self-paced, introductory modules are the first in a planned series of trainings that address current needs in inclusive education. Empowering Inclusive Classrooms : A Learning Series for Paraprofessionals Supporting Students with Disabilities helps these professionals better understand their role in providing instructional support, develop skills, and demonstrate those skills through reflection and activities. Participants who complete the training can earn certificates and digital badges.

“Paraprofessionals often have very little relevant training, and as a group they have very high turnover and attrition rates,” said Jessica Bowman, a research associate at the Institute. “Many of them have told us that the training they do receive doesn’t align with the work they are actually doing in the classroom.”

The on-demand training covers how to support students with disabilities within general education classrooms and across the school day. Although it is intended to increase the skills of paraprofessionals supporting students inclusively, those who are in special education environments will benefit from the training as well, along with those who support students with high support needs as they transition between special and general education classrooms.

“We wanted to create easily accessible training for paras that is online and asynchronous, while also building in what we know works best in adult learning, which includes modeling and providing feedback through knowledge checks, short video examples, and reflection questions,” Bowman said.

Most participants will access the training through state and federal funding to their district or school, but individuals who are pursuing badges and certifications to advance their own skills can purchase the training as well, she said.

“This is the first time I've seen any meaningful training for SpEd paras!” one external reviewer wrote after working with the modules.

Reviewers were current paraprofessionals who support students with disabilities in schools. Former paraprofessionals now on staff at the Institute also piloted the series.

“This is a well-presented (self-paced) learning opportunity for those in the field who would like to expand their knowledge in how to use best practices to support learners of all abilities,” another paraprofessional reviewer wrote. “I work within a self-contained elementary classroom with our most highly impacted learners, and I wish our district was more inclusive. I am hoping I can learn ways to help me advocate for our students to be included within our building and district...”

The course, TIESX001, is available through the University of Minnesota professional learning site. For more information, contact TIEScenter@umn.edu.