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

School Employee Effectiveness Training

Washington Education Association
Washington

Improving Paraprofessionals' Communication Skills

Professional development promotes role clarity and communication skills
Program components accommodate site-specific demands on paraprofessionals
Cost-effective delivery model leads to widespread use

Overview

Marianne, the Title I director in her district, contracted with Washington Education Association to provide School Employee Effectiveness training to all Title I paraprofessionals. Since the training two years ago, she has noticed a big difference in their communications skills. Paraprofessionals now often contribute information and insights at staff meetings. Also, she has noticed improved relationships between the paraprofessionals and Title I students. Marianne feels that students' major gains on standardized achievement tests last year are partly attributable to the SEE training.

Since 1991, the Washington Education Association (WEA) has offered the School Employee Effectiveness (SEE) Program, which focuses on improving the communication and problem-solving skills of paraprofessionals and other school support staff. WEA provides the training through contracts with schools and school districts; it can be tailored in length and format from a three-hour workshop to a course with five ten-hour modules.

In sessions co-taught by a certified employee (a teacher or counselor) and a classified employee (a paraprofessional or other support staff), SEE focuses on teaching paraprofessionals how to: (1) reduce the rate of arguments among students, (2) sustain a positive attitude about student learning and behavior, (3) solve problems with students and other staff members, (4) use humor and nonverbal communication to facilitate student learning, and (5) initiate change that leads to greater efficacy.

Program Context

Paraprofessionals are well organized in Washington, with more than 10,000 members in the Washington Education Association. In response to paraprofessionals' needs, WEA developed the SEE program. SEE was modeled to resemble a typical college course, with participants who complete all five ten-hour modules receiving five college credits or five clock hours toward their professional development. However, time and budgetary constraints have prevented most of the districts contracting with WEA from offering the full course to their paraprofessionals.

Major Program Features

The SEE program was based on a similar communications skills program developed by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), and WEA worked with PLS to tailor the program to strengthen the basic communications skills of paraprofessionals. Since 1991, WEA has selected teams (usually a teacher and a paraprofessional) to become SEE trainers. The whole program includes five ten-hour modules: Skills for Understanding, Skills for Overcoming Resistance, Skills for Problem-Solving, Non-Verbal Communication and Humor, and POWER Judgment Win-Win Resolutions.

Schools and school districts contract with WEA to offer the program, which uses a training team from the local area. WEA officials and trainers report that districts often are unable to offer the complete program because of time and budgetary constraints; consequently, the program is typically modified by the training team to fit the site's needs. Paraprofessionals can receive college credit from Seattle Pacific University, or clock-hour credit through WEA. (Participants receive one college credit or ten clock hours per each ten-hour module.)

Trainers often present SEE as a three-hour workshop or as a ten-hour program, with lessons drawn from all five modules. The training focuses on practical or "survival skills." For example, in the segment on nonverbal communication, trainers help participants understand that students need to hear consistent messages. Paraprofessionals and other support staff appreciate SEE because classified employees do not have the benefit of the training that the teachers receive.

WEA encourages districts to invite teachers to participate in the SEE program along with their paraprofessionals; however, few districts have done so. Still, some teachers were simultaneously involved in a similar training course called Project Teach, and the training teams were able to bring the two groups together so that they can serve as resources when they return to their districts.

Funding

Schools or school districts typically offer the program to paraprofessionals and other support staff free of charge because most paraprofessionals cannot afford to pay for such training. Districts often use grants or money from special paraprofessional training funds authorized by the state legislature.

Evidence of Success

WEA staff estimate that between 300 and 400 paraprofessionals have completed some variation of the SEE training, although data on the number who have received college or clock hour credit are not available. A formal evaluation of the program is not planned, but WEA and Performance Learning Systems regularly review the on-site surveys completed by participants to see whether changes are needed. Trainers note that they always receive very positive feedback, although participants say they still need more training. The segments appreciated most by participants are those focusing on role playing and working in real situations.
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