Resources for Administrators of Special Education

The topics listed are individual websites that can be accessed by members of The American Academy of Special Education Professionals (AASEP). If you are not a member of AASEP, and would like to join AASEP, click on the following link: Join AASEP to Register.

Members of AASEP, please login  (member login and password) to have full access to all the information and other websites links, in our database.

Resources for Paraeducators

  • Example Guidelines for Paraeducators from the Colorado Department of Education - A paraprofessional or paraeducator, for the purpose of this document, is a school employee who provides instructional support services under the direct supervision of a qualified teacher.  These guidelines use the term paraeducator to denote the specific group of paraprofessionals who assist educational professionals in Title I, Title III, Special Education and General Education programs.
  • Improving Paraeducator Practices - With OSEP support, researchers are investigating how best to support paraeducator performance. The following examples show that mindful planning, supervision, and professional development can result in improved practices.
  • Meet Assistant Teachers/Para Educators in Inclusive Settings - An interesting site where you can get the direct deedback from other paraeducators working in the field. A variety of topics are discussed.
  • Standards for Paraeducators under No Child Left Behind: Who? What? When? How? - FAQ list for the No Child Left Left Behind Act
  • Who is Teaching our Children with Disabilities - Over the last 10 years, the number of paraprofessionals in the schools working with children with disabilities has grown from 105,394 in school year 1983-84 to 189,011 in school year 1993-94 (U.S. Department of Education, 1996). This growth is expected to continue in the future, especially with the increased number of children with disabilities being included in general education classrooms. Many different names are used to identify these valuable members of the special education team: parapro, paraprofessional, teacher's aide, and paraeducator are just a few used by school districts. We have chosen to use the term "paraeducator" to indicate the key role played by these paraprofessionals.