an ecological framework for understanding the roles & responsibilities of paraprofessionals in...
DESCRIPTION
Presentation from the 2011 National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals Confernece. Presenter: Joyce MounstevenTRANSCRIPT
Paraprofessional Roles and ResponsibilitiesAn ecological frameworkPresented by Joyce Mounsteven NRCP ConferenceMay 2011
Why an ecological framework?
Lessons from the past
Restricted scope of current research
An Ecological Model(Bronfenbrenner)
Microsystem
Face to face interactions in their immediate settings:
•Para and student•Para and teacher•Para and administrator etc.
Mesosystem
Linkages that take place between two or more microsystems
•Teacher and student interaction can influence para and student interaction
•Teacher and parent interaction can influence para and parent interaction etc.
Exosystem
Social structures that influence the roles and responsibilities
•Board and state policies•Collective agreements•Internal politics etc.
Macrosystem
The values and structures of society at large that influence everything we do.
•Attitudes•Inclusion•Human rights etc.
My research
•My role as a connoisseur•Based on the perceptions of Educational
Assistants (paraprofessionals)•On-line surveys•Focus groups
What I found in the microsystemPara and the studentPara as MomPara as friendPara as protectorPara as teacherPara as advocateHighlighted the ‘fuzziness’ of the role and
lack of clarity of the purpose of the relationship
(Broer et al, 2005)
Which microsystems can you identify?
Working with one or two colleagues identify several more microsystems that you are aware of from your vantage point.
(Use the table mat provided)
Other microsystems for consideration
Para and the teacherPara and the administratorPara and the parentPara and the specialist
(How do these compare with your list?)
What I found in the mesosystem
Teacher/administrator decisions
Parent/teacher decisions
Which mesoystems can you identify?
Working with one or two colleagues identify several more mesosystems that you are aware of from your vantage point.
(Use the table mat provided)
Other mesosystems for your consideraton
School team decisionsDyads within the IEP teamSpecialist/teacher decisions
(How do these compare with your list?)
What I found in exosystems
School policy
State legislation
Collective agreements
Which exosystems can you identify?
Working with one or two colleagues identify several more exosystems that you are aware of from your vantage point.
(Use the table mat provided)
Other exosystems for your consideration
State/province legislation (e.g. Physical restraint)
Workplace health and safely regulationsHuman Rights Commission
(How do these compare with your list?)
What I found in macrosystems
Impact of inclusion movement
Parental empowerment
Which macrosystems can you identify?
Working with one or two colleagues identify several more macrosystems that you are aware of from your vantage point.
(Use the table mat provided)
Other macrosystems for your considerationAttitudes to class and culture
Value of education
Respect for school workers
(How do these compare with your list?)
How does this help?
Awareness of the complexity of the roles and responsibilities
Intervention at the level where it can be most effective
Tackling change at all levels of the system
Realization that there are no easy answers
Next StepsImproved communicationImproved collaborationImproved recognition of roles and
responsibilities at all levelsImproved training for all personnel
Your next steps
•Can you share with your neighbour one way in which you think you can use this information to your advantage in your work place?
Thank you!
If you would like a copy of the executive summary of my research please contact me:
[email protected] would also appreciate any feedback you
would care to share with me about the efficacy of the ecological model.