A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

Roles for Education Paraprofessionals in Effective Schools - 1997

Appendix A

Paraprofessional Job Titles and Descriptions

National Center for Education Statistics

Paraprofessional
Someone who works alongside and assists professional individuals, often in a role described below:

Assistant counselor
Assists students, parents, teachers, or other staff, under the supervision or direction of a counselor, by helping individuals make plans and decisions in relation to education, career, or personal development

Bilingual aide

Assists in the instruction of students using more than one language for teaching content

Bilingual special education aide

Assists in the instruction of students in a special education program using more than one language for teaching content

Career aide

Assists students in the process of choosing a profession or occupation

Child care giver

Assists in organizing and leading prekindergarten children in activities such as reading, drawing, and games

Computer aide

Assists and provides direction to computer users

Extracurricular activity aide

Supervises school-sponsored activities that are not related to curriculum (e.g., sports), including all direct and personal services that are planned for student enjoyment

Financial aid specialist

Interviews students applying for financial aid, including loans, grants-in-aid, or scholarships, to determine eligibility for assistance

Monitor/prefect

Monitors the conduct of students in classrooms, detention halls, lunch rooms, playground, hallways, and places where alternatives to classroom instruction are provided (e.g., test sites)

Library aide

Assists in the maintenance and operation of a library by aiding in the selection, ordering, cataloging, processing, and circulation of all media

Media center aide

Assists in the maintenance and operation of a media center by serving as a specialist in the organization and use of all teaching and learning resources, including hardware, content material, and services

Psychologist assistant

Assists a psychologist with routine activities associated with providing psychological services

Teaching/classroom aide

Assists a teacher with routine activities associated with teaching (i.e., those activities requiring minor decisions regarding students, such as conducting rote exercises, operating equipment, and clerking)

Teaching assistant

Performs the day-to-day activities of teaching students while under the supervision of a teacher. The teaching assistant does not make diagnostic or long-range evaluative decisions regarding students. Teaching assistants include individuals who may or may not be certified but must have completed at least two years of formal education preparation for teaching or the equivalent in experience or training.

Tutor

Provides academic instruction (e.g., in English, mathematics, a foreign language) to students requiring additional assistance outside of the classroom
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[Bilingual Pupil Services Program]

[Appendix B]