Types of Assessment
Support
Paraprofessionals
Assessment, Support and Paraprofessionals
100

What are the three types of assessment 

Formal Assessment, Informal Assessment and Summative Assessment 

(Tomlinson, 2007) 

(Chappuis & Chappuis, 2007)

100

What is the relationship between friendship and support?

Friendship and positive relationships are crucial  for students with disabilities to succeed but there is an issue when there's an over-emphasis on the “helpee/helper” relationship. 

“Help is not and can never be the basis of friendship” (Van der Klift & Kunc, 1994: page 3)

100

What is a paraprofessional? 

Paraprofessional educators generally assist teachers in the classroom, supervise students outside of the classroom, or provide administrative support for teaching.

100

what is fading support and How does it connect to assessment and support? 

Fading assistance means systematically reducing the type and level of support given to a student. This connects to 

200

What is Formative Assessment?  

helping students achieve more with periodic check ins on student learning to form lesson progression

(Zarrillo, 2012) 

200

What is positive behavior support? 

  1. Behavior is learned and can change.

  2. Intervention is based on studying the behavior.

  3. The intervention emphasizes prevention and teaching new behaviors.

  4. Outcomes are personally and socially valued.

  5. Intervention requires comprehensive, integrated support.

(Causton & Tracy-Bronson, 2015)


200

Con of paraprofessional with the student all day: 

Having an adult by a student’s side for all or most of the school day can actually interfere with a students inclusion as a participating member of the classroom community

(Giangreco, 2005) 

200

List a reason how paraprofessionals and support go hand in hand 

Paraprofessionals offer support for students with disabilities or who might need extra support throughout the day. 
300

What is Summative Assessment?

making a judgement of a student’s learning

(Zarrillo, 2012)

300

List some of the ways to naturally support students. (There are 5 ways) 

  • Do not sit or place a chair meant for adult support next to a student
  • Do not remove the student
  • Encourage peer support
  • Encourage independence and interdependence
  • Fade your cues

(Causton & Tracy-Bronson, 2015)

300

List three benefits of a paraprofessional in the classroom


  • Doing clerical tasks that free teachers to spend more time instructing students

  • Engaging in follow-up instruction, tutoring, or homework help

  • Providing supervision in group settings (cafeteria, playground, bus boarding)

  • Assisting students with personal care needs (bathroom use, eating, dressing)

  • Facilitating social skills, peer interactions, and positive behavior support plans

(Giangreco, 2005) 


300

What happens when adult support, like a paraprofessional, is too overbearing? 

Student learns to expect that adult support. They wait for the adult to engage with material, and become helpless in the classroom. 

400

What is informal Assessment? 

An assessment used throughout the lesson to see where students stand on a topic. It allows students to represent ideas in different forms. 

(Tomlinson, 2007)

400

Steps for adult support for students (4 steps: 

1. Plan to include. 

2. Ask and listen.  

3. Step back. 

4. Plan to fade your support.

(Causton-Theoharis, 2009)

400

list three detrimental effects of paraprofessional proximity according to Causton-Theoharis

  • Separation from classmates. 

  • Unnecessary dependence on adults.

  • Interference with peer interactions.

  • Insular relationships between the paraprofessional and the student.

  • A feeling of being stigmatized.

  • Limited access to competent instruction.

  • Interference with teacher engagement.

  • Loss of personal control.

  • Loss of gender identity.

  • Provocation of behavior problems

(Causton-Theoharis, 2009)


400

During assessment what is it important to do? 

During assessments, it is important to provide the student with the help they are required to have. If the student works best with a paraprofessional or someone who can read the test to them, you must make sure the student has that while completing the assessment. 

500

What is the process of Assessment?

gathering data, analyzing data, sharing data

(Zarrillo, 2012)

500

Five ways to naturally support students:

1. Do not sit or place a chair meant for adult support next to a student

2. Do not remove the student

3. Encourage peer support

4. Encourage independence and interdependence

5. Fade your cues

(Causton-Theoharis, 2009)

500

List two of the five reasons to be concerned about individual paraprofessional supports

  • Five reasons to be concerned about individual paraprofessional supports

  • Reason 1: The least qualified staff members are teaching students with the most complex learning characteristics
  • Reason 2: Paraprofessional supports are linked with inadvertent detrimental effects (i.e. unnecessary dependence, interference with peer interactions)
  • Reason 3: Individual paraprofessional supports are linked with lower levels of teacher involvement
  • Reason 4: Teachers, parents, and students may not be getting what they deserve and expect.
  • Reason 5: Providing paraprofessional supports may delay attention to needed changes in schools

(Giangreco, 2005) 

500

Is it fair to give students the same type of assessment over and over again? 

NO! As an educator, it is important to switch assessments up so that students aren't continuously completing the same type. Additionally, make some assessments where students can work with peers, a paraprofessional, or even in a group.