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Discuss why it is important for you to understand the roles and responsibilities of paraprofessionals supporting students in the inclusive general education classroom. Discuss one legal and/or ethical dilemma that could arise if the general education teacher fails to properly understand what paraprofessionals can and cannot do in the classroom when supporting students with exceptionalities.
A significant legal and ethical dilemma can arise if a general education teacher fails to understand the limits of the paraprofessional's responsibilities, specifically regarding assessment and IEP duties.
The legal dilemma centers on the general education teacher directing a paraprofessional to take on tasks that require professional, licensed judgment, such as:
Administering formal assessments to determine a student's placement or progress.
Making instructional decisions that modify IEP goals or core curriculum expectations.
Collecting formal progress monitoring data for the IEP without proper training or oversight.
Scenario and Ramifications:
If a teacher delegates the task of collecting data on an IEP goal's progress entirely to the para, and that data is later used to justify a change in the student's services, a legal challenge could arise. The parents could argue that the data is unreliable or invalid because it was collected by an unlicensed staff member, violating the student's right to Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Ethical Impact: The ethical issue is that the student's educational trajectory is being determined by an unqualified individual, potentially leading to the student receiving inappropriate services or having their needs misidentified. This violates the ethical duty of the certified teacher to provide competent and specialized instruction.
It is crucial for general education teachers to understand the roles and responsibilities of paraprofessionals because they are critical instructional and supportive partners in the inclusive classroom, and clarity is necessary for legal compliance, student safety, and effective instruction.
Effective Team Collaboration and Efficiency: Understanding a paraprofessional's specific duties (as outlined in the student's Individualized Education Program or IEP) allows the general education teacher to effectively delegate tasks and plan instruction. This ensures the para's time is used efficiently, maximizing support for students with exceptionalities.
Maintaining Instructional Integrity: Paraprofessionals are typically directed to assist with implementation of lessons and accommodations, not the creation or modification of core curriculum. The teacher needs to understand this distinction to maintain the academic rigor and integrity of the content and assessments.
Preventing Over-dependence: If roles are unclear, students may become overly reliant on the paraprofessional for tasks they are capable of doing independently. The teacher must understand the para's role is to facilitate independence and fade support, not create learned helplessness.
Upholding Professional Boundaries: General education teachers are ultimately responsible for the student's education and supervision. Knowing the para's role (which is typically supportive and instructional, not evaluative or managerial) ensures the teacher maintains the appropriate supervisory and legal responsibility.