Who Will Teach Our Children?...Use of Bilingual Paraprofessionals in Special Education.

Overview & Synopsis

In response to the shortage of qualified bilingual special education personnel to work with Limited English Proficient (LEP) special needs students, a program was developed in Vista Unified School District in North San Diego County, California, which involves training bilingual paraprofessionals to serve in special education settings. The paraprofessionals work with Spanish-speaking students who have primary language goals and objectives on their individualized education programs. Following a brief program description, a guide to the effective use of bilingual paraprofessionals in special education is provided, covering: advantages and disadvantages of using bilingual paraprofessionals; administrative planning options and support for use of bilingual paraprofessionals in special education; use of bilingual paraprofessionals in the classroom setting; training needs of special education certificated personnel in the use of bilingual paraprofessionals; and training needs of bilingual paraprofessionals in special education. (JDD)