National Resource Center for Paraeducators (NRCP) Annual Conference

When: March 31-April 3, 2016

Where: Chicago, Illinois

Ritu Chopra, Executive Director of The PAR2A Center, attended the annual conference of the National Resource Center for Paraeducators (NRCP) from March 31 to April 3 Presented 2 sessions (April 1 and April 2) on the topic: Ethical Practices that Build Strong Paraeducator –Teacher Teams.

As the Co-chair of the Paraeducator Special Interest Group of the Teacher Education Division, Council for Exceptional Children (TED- CEC), convened a meeting in collaboration with Dr. Marilyn Likins, Director (NRCP) on April 1. The meeting was attended by leaders representing 18 states. The agenda of the meeting included:

Overview of the SIG
Recent work completed by the SIG
- CEC Paraeducator standards (Paraeducator Common Core Guidelines PCCG) alignment with revised teacher educator standards - “What Every Special Educator Should Know” 2009 publication – updated information on paraeducators
- Position paper on Paraeducator Training - update
  - Ideas for increasing membership
  - Membership Drive to include Higher Education faculty, doctoral students, administrators, teachers
  - SIG’s role with issues related to Interveners – paraeducators who assist students with Deaf-blindness
  - Other Topics
    - Effective Practice Statement on the need for teacher supervision
    - Communication systems for SIG members
    - Venues to promote the CEC Paraeducator Common Core Guidelines – curriculum alignment rubric with article to promote rubric under review
    - Utilization of the TED website to promote paraeducator practices
    - Publications & professional development opportunities (ex: Webinars) supported by SIG that are in alignment with the CEC Paraeducator Professional Development Standards – CEC webinars offered “There’s no “I” in Team: Evidence-Based Strategies for Teacher Paraeducator Collaboration

If you need more information about the SIG and want to become member, contact Ritu Chopra