Presentation at the 2011 National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals Conference by Wendy Farone.

1. Building a Community of Pennsylvania Paraprofessionals Session 30: 10:11:30 Presenter: Dr. Wendy S. Farone Friday, May 13, 2011 National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals Conference Harrisburg, PA

2. PaTTAN’s Mission The mission of the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) is to support the efforts and initiatives of the Bureau of Special Education, and to build the capacity of local educational agencies to serve students who receive special education services.

3. PDE’s Commitment to Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Our goal for each child is to ensure Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams begin with the general education setting with the use of Supplementary Aids and Services before considering a more restrictive environment.

4. Agenda History of PA’s Paraeducator Training Initiative Paraprofessional! Credential of Competency Implementation of Training Plan Initial Efforts Current Focus

5. History - Initial Activities Created focus group Defined the issues Developed action plan

6. History According to IDEA ‘97, a “state may allow paraeducators and assistants who are appropriately trained and supervised in accordance with state law, regulations, or written policy in meeting the requirements…to be used to assist in the provision of special education and related services to children with disabilities…”.

7. History The Bureau of Special Education’s intention was to assure that the paraprofessionals providing assistance to students with disabilities in PA’s classrooms are appropriately trained and competent.

9. Receive little or no professional development

10. Changing role from clerical/routine to instructional assignments

11. Increasing number of paraeducators employed

12. Approximate number of paraeducators employed by LEAs in PA 2001-2002 11,500 2007-2008 19,200

14. Data collection/observation

15. Confidentiality/legal issues

16. Positive behavior support and classroom management

17. Dealing with children in crisis situations – medical/safety issues

18. Appropriate child/paraeducator relationships

22. Training Plan – Initial Efforts August 2003 initial full-day training for Paraeducators Half-day for supervisors After-school videoconferences Weekend seminar 2005, 2006, 2007

25. Paraprofessional Credential of Competency PA State Regulations state: Instructional paraprofessionals shall meet one of the following qualifications effective July 1, 2010: Have completed at least 2 years of postsecondary study (approx. 48 credits) OR Possess an associate degree or higher OR Meet a rigorous standard of quality as demonstrated through a State or local assessment.

26. Credential of Competency http://pattan.framewelder.com/

27. Training Plan- Current Focus After-school VC series with diverse topics including Low tech Tools for Engaging Learners; Supporting Students Who Have Tourette’s Syndrome; Overview of Seizure Disorders, Strategies for Diffusing Potential Behavior Problems. Online courses available and aligned to the ten Competency Standards Summer series Assist paraprofessionals in obtaining 20 hours of on-going professional development

28. Training Plan-Current Focus On-going webinars/afterschool videoconferences Archive presentations for easy access Creation of a publication series specifically for paraprofessionals IHE Grants to support Paraprofessional training-Assoc. Degree/Credential Hosting the NRCP Conference!

29. Paraprofessional Initiative: Efforts and Effects Provided 41 hours of PD to 31,637 participants on skill and knowledge assessed by the Credential of Competency 2010-2011 training targeted to behavior topics Variety of training formats VC, webinar, streaming media, online modules 10 modules to meet Competency standards available on-line 22,831 Certificates of Attendance have been issued to 16,109 paraprofessionals

30. Paraprofessional Initiative: Efforts and Effects To date, over 11,533 Credentials of Competency have been issued Provided technical assistance to LEAs as they prepared to meet state qualifications standards by July 1, 2010

31. Paraprofessional Initiative Credentials Issued 11/03 - 3/072048 4/07 - 3/08678 4/08 - 3/09824 4/09 - 2/8/102826

33. Partner with LEAs to understand competencies and offer online courses to paraprofessionals

34. Offer sessions for high-need topics, e.g., Autism, Reading Instruction, Behavior, Job-Coaching

36. Contact Information www.pattan.net Dr. Wendy Farone wfarone@pattan.net 1-412-826-2336 x6846 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Tom Corbett, Governor Pennsylvania Department of Education Ronald J. Tomalis, Secretary Dr. Carolyn Dumaresq, Deputy Secretary Office for Elementary and Secondary Education John J. Tommasini, Director Bureau of Special Education Patricia Hozella, Assistant Director Bureau of Special Education