Chopra, Ritu Verma (2002). Parent-paraeducator collaboration in inclusion: Reality and issues.
Institution: University of Colorado at Denver
THE FOLLOWING ABSTRACT IS POSTED WITH THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR
This qualitative research study examined the relationships that existed between the parents of students with significant disabilities and the paraeducators who supported them in inclusive educational settings. The purpose of the study was to gain an understanding from several different perspectives of the role parent-paraeducator collaboration played in inclusion. The study included the perspectives of parents, paraeducators, Significant Support Needs (SSN) teachers, and general educators. The research methodology included interviews with 21 participants; 20 of them represented three SSN program sites in the same district and one was the SSN coordinator for the selected district. Results revealed five different types of relationships between parents and paraeducators; namely close and personal friendship, routine limited interactions, routine extended interactions, tense relationship, and minimal relationship. Results indicated that it is important for paraeducators and parents to communicate because paraeducators spend more time with the students and thus know the students better than anyone else in school. However, for paraeducator-parent relationships to be beneficial in the students' education, they must remain within the limits and boundaries established by the team leader or person in charge of the program. Results identified collaboration among paraeducators, parents, teachers, and related service providers as a fundamental contributing factor to inclusion. In addition, the role of the SSN teacher as the team leader in coordinating the collaborative efforts and supervising the paraeducators was highlighted. This study offered implications in three areas of practice: establishing collaborative practices, training of paraeducators, and teacher preparation and in-service programs for teachers.
Last modified February 14 2008 11:22 AM
