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Professional Development

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Federal legislation has led to important changes that impact the work of paraeducators. Students with disabilities are now participating to a greater degree than ever before in public education settings. There is an increased emphasis on providing adequate professional development to school staff, particularly paraeducators, who provide much of the support for students with special needs. 

In Kentucky, this need for paraeducator professional development is being addressed, in part, by ParaEducators of Kentucky (PEK), a Human Development Institute (HDI) project at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. Main activities of the paraeducator training project include the examination of training issues (obstacles, solutions, preferred training formats), the validation of a set of core competencies, and the development of professional development to help meet the competency goals. A survey was used to learn about paraeducator training issues and for determining the paraeducator competencies that are most valued in Kentucky. The survey was administered to 230 key stakeholders (teachers, paraeducators, parents, and administrators) within Kentucky. Respondents indicated that there is minimal training provided to paraeducators, particularly in their work with students with disabilities. Some reasons for this seem to be a lack of resources, a high turnover rate, and unsupportive district policies. Respondents indicated that the ideal training would be hands-on and provided at their work site by a state or regional trainer at the beginning of the school year. In addition, 42 of 45 paraeducator competencies were rated highly enough to be considered validated for the state of Kentucky. 

==On-Site Professional Development==
The survey results guided the development of professional development (PD) for paraeducators and those who work with paras.  The PD consists of approximately 20-30 hours of training material that can be provided to small groups on a pre-service or in-service basis. '''Topics include the following: roles/responsibilities, legal/ethical issues, communication/teamwork, positive behavioral supports, instructional strategies, and transition.''' Training techniques include brief lectures, role-plays, worksheets/handouts, discussion, and small group activities.  
 
The PD is intended to help paraeducators be as effective as possible in their roles of working with students. Content provided in the professional development is intended to help paraeducators meet Kentucky's Paraeducator Standards and Competencies.  '''Professional development can be designed to fit specific training needs of local school districts.''' The development of this training was supported by a State Improvement Grant from the U.S. Department of Education (Grant #H323A990013).   

If a local school district, educational cooperative, or others are interested in learning more information and/or scheduling on-site paraeducator professional development, contact:{BR}Barbara Locker, PEK Coordinator {BR}(859) 519-7374 or blocker@uky.edu 

==On-Line Professional Development==
''On-line Professional Development Modules'' provide lessons and activities that focus on a particular topic related to the Kentucky Paraeducator Standards and Competencies.  The modules were developed by a Paraeducator Professional Development Cadre that included paraeducators (both special education and Title I), local district resource consultants, and representatives of special education cooperatives, Kentucky Department of Education, and directors of special education.  

The modules cover the roles and responsibilities of the paraeducator; maintaining a safe and supportive instructional environment; strategies that enhance the learning process; methods used to monitor student progress; student behavior strategies; professional and ethical practices; and the community-based job coach.  

The modules are available at '''no cost '''to paraeducators and local school districts.  Each module is set up to complete within an 8-12 week period once you begin.  This equates to about one lesson and activity per week.  There is a facilitator available to assist with the module content. While these modules are not for college credit, a paraeducator may receive professional development hours after successfully completing the module. 

To begin the on-line PD, you must do the following:

1. You need to complete an enrollment application with the PEK project.  You may complete the registration electronically by clicking on ''Online Module Registration'' on the Navigation panel, or you may contact Barbara Locker for a form to submit by mail or email. '''Please submit the registration only one time.  You will receive a copy of the registration through email as confirmation of submission.'''

2. A Blackboard account will then be established for you to access the ''ParaEducators of KY On-line PD Modules''.

3. You will receive an email once your Blackboard account has been established with your Log-in ID, UK ID, and default password. '''You cannot start working on the modules until you receive the Blackboard account information.'''   

For additional information about the on-line professional development, contact: {BR}Barbara Locker, PEK Coordinator {BR} (859) 519-7374 or blocker@uky.edu