Promoting Paraprofessional Performance

Dr. Keisha McCoy-Dailey • Cahn Fellow 2021

Paraprofessionals support teachers and students in the classroom. Their roles and responsibilities vary, however, their goal is always to improve student achievement. Paraprofessionals receive different educational trainings prior to taking the position. Surveys and interviews, shed light to the trainings paraprofessionals have, the areas they struggle in, and domains which they still need further direction and professional development in. Throughout the course of the school year, we implemented paraprofessional trainings, known as paraprofessional development groups (PDGs) to fill the gap of skills and trainings on topics which they felt unprepared for when taking on the position. 

The PDGs had a great impact on the paraprofessionals. Throughout the course of the school year they participated in trainings. Through additional surveys and interviews, results revealed that paraprofessionals felt more prepared to address academic challenges, behavior challenges, and even instruct classes with the support of the classroom teacher.