Evaluation of the Paraprofessionals in Autism Resource and Achievement Project (PARA-PRO) By Teresa Cogar & Taryn Goodwin

1. Evaluation of the Paraprofessionals inEvaluation of the Paraprofessionals in
Autism Resource and AchievementAutism Resource and Achievement
ProjectProject (PARAPro)(PARAPro)
Teresa Cogar, M.Ed, PBSF
Taryn Goodwin, M.Ed, BCBA, LBA
Virginia Commonwealth University
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2. Objectives
• Provide an overview of the Virginia Commonwealth
University’s Autism Center for Excellence
• Describe how VCU-ACE increases knowledge in evidence
based practices through training activities
• Describe the results of the survey evaluating training
activities
• Describe how VCU-ACE fosters movement from
acquisition of knowledge to implementation of skills
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3. VCU Autism CenterVCU Autism Center
• Collaboration with Virginia Department of
Education (VDOE)
• Vision Related to PARAPro Initiative
o The VCU-ACE PARA Project provides professional
development for paraprofessionals who serve students with
autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the teachers with
whom they work.
o The program is designed to create effective educational
teams and increase the learning of students with ASD.
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4. Why did Virginia decide to provide
training to paraprofessionals?
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5. That the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted by adding a section
numbered 22.1-298.3 as follows:
Students with autism spectrum disorders; training required of personnel.
By September 1, 2014, each school board shall ensure that aides
assigned to work with a teacher who has primary oversight of students
with autism spectrum disorder receive training in student behavior
management within 60 days of assignment to such responsibility. School
boards may provide such training to other employees, including
transportation employees.
The Board of Education shall provide training standards that school
divisions may use to fulfill the requirements of this section.
That the Board of Education, in consultation with Virginia Commonwealth
University, shall develop online training that school divisions may use to
fulfill the requirements of § 22.1-298.3 of the Code of Virginia. Such
training shall be made available to local school divisions free of charge.
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House Bill 325House Bill 325

7. Who is the Paraprofessional?Who is the Paraprofessional?
A paraprofessional is a school employee who works
under the supervision of a licensed staff member to
assist in providing instruction and other services to
children, youth, and their families (Adapted from
A.L. Pickett, Director for the National Resource
Center for Paraprofessionals, City University of New
York, 1997).
The prefix "para" means "along side of." Therefore, it is
correct to assume that a paraprofessional works
along side of an educator.
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8. ““Behavior Management”Behavior Management”
1. General Autism Knowledge
2. Environmental Structure and Visual Supports
3. Comprehensive Instructional Programming
4. Communication
5. Social Skills
6. Behavior
7. Sensory Motor Development
8. Independence and Aptitude
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9. The Development of Online andThe Development of Online and
Live Training for ParaprofessionalsLive Training for Paraprofessionals
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10. Considerations for TrainingConsiderations for Training
ContentContent
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11. Considerations for TrainingConsiderations for Training
FormatFormat
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12. Online CourseOnline Course
• Course Name:
Autism Spectrum Disorders for Paraprofessionals:
Providing Effective Instruction and Supports
• Aligned with Training Standards Approved by
Virginia Department of Education
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13. Training StandardsTraining Standards
• Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) National
Standards
• Skill Competencies for Professionals and
Paraprofessionals in Virginia Supporting Individuals
with Autism Across the Lifespan
• Training Standards for Paraprofessionals who
Provide Primary Oversight to Students with Autism
Spectrum Disorder
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14. Online Course FrameworkOnline Course Framework
• 5 Modules
• Narrated presentations with video
examples
• Guided learning activities
o Activity Book (Think about it! Apply it!)
o Discussion Board
• Quiz for each module
• Duration = 1 month
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15. Course ModulesCourse Modules
• Module One: Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Module Two: Responsibilities of the Paraprofessional
and Description of the Educational Process
• Module Three: Instructional Strategies and
Considerations
• Module Four: Social and Communication Strategies
• Module Five: Behavioral Support
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16. Online Course ActivitiesOnline Course Activities
• Participant Interactive Handbook
• Discussion Board
• Case Studies
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17. Online Survey: 2,200 Respondents
• Areas Evaluated
o Vocabulary Acquisition
o Attitude
o Knowledge Acquisition through Case
Studies
o Resources and Activities
o Usability of the course
o Demographics
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18. Areas SurveyedAreas Surveyed
• Attitude
• Knowledge Acquisition through Case Studies
• Usefulness of Course
• Resources and Activities
• Demographics
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19. AttitudeAttitude
My beliefs have changed significantly: 712 (32.4%)
My beliefs have changed moderately: 563 (25.6%)
My beliefs have changed slightly: 338 (15.4%)
My beliefs have not changed: 578 (26.3%)
I do not agree with this statement: 4 (0.2%)
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20. Knowledge through Case StudiesKnowledge through Case Studies
Characteristics
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I now have significantly more
knowledge:
427 (19.6%)
I now have more knowledge: 886 (40.6%)
I now have a little more
knowledge:
393 (18.0%)
I already knew the information
provided in the course:
470 (21.5%)
I have no knowledge of this
information:
6 (0.3%)
Strategies
I now have significantly more
knowledge:
454 (20.9%)
I now have more knowledge: 826 (37.9%)
I now have a little more
knowledge:
454 (20.9%)
I already knew the information
provided in the course:
434 (19.9%)
I have no knowledge of this
information:
9 (0.4%)

21. Knowledge through Case StudiesKnowledge through Case Studies
Behavior
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I now have significantly more
knowledge:
392 (18.0%)
I now have more knowledge: 766 (35.1%)
I now have a little more
knowledge:
438 (20.1%)
I already knew the information
provided in the course:
572 (26.2%)
I have no knowledge of this
information:
12 (0.6%)
Visual Supports
I now have significantly more
knowledge:
462 (21.1%)
I now have more knowledge: 787 (36.0%)
I now have a little more
knowledge:
477 (21.8%)
I already knew the information
provided in the course:
456 (20.8%)
I have no knowledge of this
information:
6 (0.3%)

22. Changes in PracticesChanges in Practices
• Did content of the course increase their ability to
implement effective supports and strategies with students
with ASD.
• 88% strongly agreed or agreed the course did
increase implementation
• 2% indicated it did not change practice
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23. DemographicsDemographics
• Educational Level
o Setting: Elementary (55%); Middle (30%); High (15%)
o Multiple Settings: 78%
• Experience
o 46% - 10 years + experience
o 18% - 7-9 years
• Educational Background
o 45% - Less than 2 years of college
o 20% High school degree only
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24. Live TrainingLive Training
Autism Spectrum Disorder for
Paraprofessionals: Providing Effective
Instruction and Support
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25. Live Training FrameworkLive Training Framework
• 3 days
• Held in different locations across Virginia (2-4 times
per year based on school division request)
• Case-study based presentation
• Covers Module 1-5 Online Course Content
o Plus! Interactive Activities
o Two additional Modules – Introduction and Putting it All Together
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26. VCU-ACE Certified TrainerVCU-ACE Certified Trainer
FrameworkFramework
• 2 days
• Primarily for Division Leaders – those individuals who
will carry out professional development in their
division
• Purpose: build capacity in divisions and throughout
the state
• Fidelity Checklist for Division Leaders
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27. Highlight: Planning aHighlight: Planning a
TripTrip
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28. Plan A: Taking A TaxiPlan A: Taking A Taxi
• Things to consider…
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29. Plan B: Took Public TransitPlan B: Took Public Transit
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Walkable?
Orange Bus RightOver there?

30. Plan C:Where’s the Hilton?Plan C:Where’s the Hilton?
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31. Plan D: DASH?Plan D: DASH?
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32. Plan D = SuccessPlan D = Success
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33. OH WAIT!OH WAIT!
• It’s 11 a.m. and check in is at 3 p.m.
• We have luggage!
• We are hungry!
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35. Numbers in VirginiaNumbers in Virginia
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36. Paraprofessionals TrainedParaprofessionals Trained
by VCU-ACEby VCU-ACE
6,000 +
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37. Online Course Completion RateOnline Course Completion Rate
80%
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38. Feedback fromFeedback from
ParticipantsParticipants
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• Wise Video

39. How do We EnsureHow do We Ensure
Paraprofessionals areParaprofessionals are
Properly Trained?Properly Trained?

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www.vcuautismcenter.org
Teresa Cogar tlcogar@vcu.edu
Taryn Goodwin tmgoodwin@vcu.edu