ERIC Number: EJ1140170
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 25
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2325-7466
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
No Child Left Behind and Paraprofessionals: Are They Perceived to Be Highly Qualified?
Nelson, Heather G.; Ashbaker, Betty Y.; Coetzee, Shannon; Morgan, Jill
Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals, p45-69 Spr-Sum 2007
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 introduced new requirements for paraprofessionals, specifying criteria for them to achieve "highly qualified" status. This article describes a study which explored the perceptions of teachers and paraprofessional teams as to whether the paraprofessionals would be considered "highly qualified" and more specifically whether they were trained for and competent in carrying out various instructional duties. The results of the study suggest that the NCLB requirements may be poorly understood; even by some of those who already meet the requirements. Furthermore, results indicate that teacher-paraprofessional pairs do not necessarily agree on the extent to which the paraprofessionals are considered trained and competent.
Descriptors: Educational Legislation, Federal Legislation, Paraprofessional School Personnel, Special Education, Teacher Attitudes, Attitude Measures, Competence, Compliance (Legal), Teamwork, Surveys, Role, Likert Scales, At Risk Students, Elementary School Teachers, Secondary School Teachers, Individual Characteristics
American Academy of Special Education Professionals. 3642 East Sunnydale Drive, Chandler Heights, AZ 85142. Tel: 800-754-4421; Fax: 800-424-0371; e-mail: editor@aasep.org; Web site: http://www.aasep.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Utah
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: No Child Left Behind Act 2001
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A