Paraprofessional Resources

* The Paraprofessional Consortium is comprised of Montana paraprofessionals, parents, teachers, and administrators in general and special education

* VISION:  To promote and support a new era for Paras

* MISSION: "To enable paraprofessionals and personnel with whom they work to perceive their work with students as essential and valuable, reinforce an attitude of paraprofessional belongingness in the school community, and develop a sense of competence in providing the highest quality of service for students they assist."

Title I Paraprofessional non-Regulatory Guidance US Department of Education Guidance for Paraprofessionals-March 2004

Guidelines to Meet Requirements for Highly Qualified Paraprofessionals

Assessment Information: side-by-side comparison of assessments that are available

Paraprofessional Standards & Competency Checklist: standards and competencies for paraprofessionals.

Job Description: sample job description aligned with Paraprofessional Standards

Interview Questions - link to obtain sample interview questions for paraprofessional. Complete set of questions is available to school administrators by request to Nancy Marks at admin@cspd.net

Paraeducator Evaluation – sample evaluation tool aligned with Montana Paraprofessional Standards

The OPI Resource Guide for Administrators, Educators and Paraeducators: Resource guide containing a wealth of information on a wide range of topics of interest to paraeducators as well as those administrators and educators who work with paraeducators

Info about Orientation- overview of info about Orientation

Orientation for Paraprofessionals (December 2004) online self-study orientation for new paraprofessionals
Directions for Orientation

Para Orientation Manual download this document to go with the Orientation.

Narration for Para Orientation – this format allows you to view a hard copy of the Orientation with narration.

Feedback Form for Orientation - once you have completed the orientation, please fill out the feedback form and fax or mail to Susan Bailey-Anderson at OPI

Regional CSPD Opportunities: links to various trainings available through regional CSPD councils

MEA-MFT- PASS Training (Paraeducators Achieving Standards Successfully) MEA-MFT PASS is an intensive four-day course, designed to help Montana paraprofessionals meet the “high quality paraprofessional” definition contained in the No Child Left Behind Act.

COTOP COURSES: Trainers are available through Regional CSPD to offer a variety of trainings designed specifically for Paraprofessionals. Contact CSPD Coordinators in your region for more information or to schedule a training.

  - See also COTOP Academy Descriptions for specific content of academies.

Awards – Each CSPD region offers awards for persons from their region

  - Paraeducator of the Year
  - Paraeducator-Teacher Team of the Year Award
  - Yes I Can Award for student with disabilities.

CSPD Regions
Paraeducator Recognition Week- The first week of February is designated as Paraeducator Recognition week in Montana. For more information see

  - Paraprofessional Week Letter for further explanation
  - Paraprofessional Certificate for recognizing paraeducators in your district

Links to Other Paraprofessional Resources

  - Rural Paraeducator Project- MSU-Billings
  - National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals

Paraeducator Resources and Websites
A compilation of resources by Kent Gerlach, from Pacific Lutheran University of Resources for Paras and Websites on topics related to Paraeducators