Paraprofessional Portfolio
Building A Connected System for Instructional Paraprofessionals: Special Education, Title I, Vocational Education, ESL, and LEP.
Acknowledgement
The Paraprofessional Portfolio was developed by Bob Braun, Director of Regional Special Needs Projects, Southwest/West Central Service Cooperatives and Jean Hair, Low Incidence Facilitator, Region 10 Special Education Projects.
The portfolio is designed around the paraprofessional competencies developed by the Minnesota Paraprofessional Consortium. It is a framework that can be used to assist paraprofessionals, who work in special education and Title I instructional programs, with recording the evidence of knowledge and skills necessary to meet the legislative requirements relating to preparation and training.
Portfolio Suggestions/Notes
1. For ease of identification, when copying, use two colors for documentation sheets – one for knowledge, and one for skills.
2. Use a three ring binder with tab dividers to separate the competency areas.
3. Review, criteria, and sign off ideas are suggestions only and are ultimately a local district decision as to how this should be done.
4. The complete portfolio is available on a disk if you would like it. Please contact: Bob Braun, , or 507-537-2252.
Section 1
Why do I need a portfolio?
Federal and state legislation has outlined the need for school districts to provide leadership and training for paraprofessionals. The mandates in recent legislation require documentation of skills and knowledge at a rigorous academic level. A portfolio will assist you in organizing evidence of your accomplishments in the recommended competency areas.
What is a portfolio?
A portfolio is a systematic, organized collection of evidence used by the paraprofessional and those directing the work of paraprofessionals to monitor the growth of the paraprofessional’s knowledge and skills in specific competency areas.
What is the purpose of the paraprofessional portfolio?
The purpose of this portfolio is to illustrate who you are now and who you want to be as a paraprofessional. This portfolio should be a reflection of your current and emerging self as a paraprofessional. Each section of this portfolio should contain entries (transcripts, certificate of participation) that illustrate evidence of your accomplishments in designated competency areas. A documentation sheet that explains how the entry/activity applies to your work as a paraprofessional should accompany each entry.
Section 2
How can I meet the paraprofessional competencies?
A. College Course (transcript and syllabus)
B. Para eLink (documentation)
C. Conference/Workshop (certificate of participation)
D. Demonstration/Skilled Competencies only (observation/documentation)
E. Transferable Work Experiences (examples of work)
Section 3
How do I document meeting the competencies?
Each entry must be accompanied by a competency documentation sheet.
For Knowledge areas – Competency Documentation Sheet – K.
For Skill areas – Competency Documentation Sheet – S.
A. College Course
1. Copy of transcript
2. Copy of syllabus
3. Competency Documentation Sheet – K or S
B. Para eLink
1. Documentation from facilitator
2. Competency Documentation Sheet – K or S
C. Conference/Workshop
1. Certificate of Participation
2. Competency Documentation Sheet – K or S
D. Demonstration of skill
1. Competency Documentation Sheet – S
E. Transferable Work Experiences
1. Documentation of related work experiences
2. Competency Documentation Sheet –S
Section 4
Who can sign off on the Skill Competency Documentation Sheet?
Any individual responsible for directing the work of the paraprofessional may sign off on the skill competency documentation sheets. Examples may be:
- Teacher
- Administrator
- Related Service Personnel
Who reviews and approves the portfolio?
This would be a local district decision, but districts and pilot sites that have suggested a team review process seems to be the best option. Examples may be:
- Continuing Education Committee
- Paraprofessional Education Committee
How will reviewers know quality work?
When reviewing each competency, reviewers should use the following checklist as a guideline. This checklist is designed to assist reviewers in recognizing a quality portfolio.
– Are all necessary components of the documentation sheet completed/included?
– Does the documentation sheet provide a clear summary of the paraprofessionals knowledge/skill related to the competency?
– Does the documentation clearly and thoroughly reflect an understanding of the competency?
– Are the contents of the documentation well organized?
What criteria can reviewers use to determine completion of a competency area?
The following is an example of a simple rubric that can be used by reviewers for documentation of competency completion.
Met – The paraprofessional included evidence and documentation to support an understanding of the competency. (Selects evidence to support competency in the selected area)
Not Met – The paraprofessional included documentation with minimal understanding of the competency. (Fails to substantiate an understanding, reflection and documentation of the selected competency)
Where will reviewers record approval of completion for each competency area?
The paraprofessional will submit completed documentation sheets to the reviewer(s). The reviewers will determine whether or not the competency has been met. If approved, the reviewers sign off at the bottom of each documentation sheet and return them to the paraprofessional. If not approved, the reviewer(s) will return the sheet with comments explaining their reason for not approving. The paraprofessional will use the Competency Completion Summary Form to record progress toward competency completion. This form will be an ongoing record of the paraprofessional’s growth in knowledge and skill related to the competency areas.
Are there other facts/evidence that I could include to complete my portfolio?
Yes, the portfolio can be an excellent marketing tool, with the completion of the competencies and the inclusion of some or all of the following: a current resume, a journal of service/volunteer activities, staff development activities, and all education and credentials. A template has been included with suggestions for collecting/recording this evidence.
Collection of Additional Evidence
Use this template to assist in organizing your collection of evidence. The lists you generate will be helpful when you are creating additional documents to enhance and complete your portfolio.
Current Resume: List all work experiences and accomplishments(recognition, awards, written work).
Journal of Service/Volunteer Activities: List all service/volunteer
activities (church, school, city).
Journal of Staff Development Activities: List all training and staff
development.
Journal of All Educational and Credentials: List all educational
accomplishments and degrees, all credentials received toward your specific
occupation and all other education and credentials that relate and enhance
your occupation.
Paraprofessional Core Competency
Area 1
Philosophical, Historical, and Legal Foundations of Education
1.1 A sensitivity to the beliefs, traditions, and values across cultures and the relationships between children, families, and schooling. (K)
1.2 Awareness of the human and legal rights and responsibilities of parents and children/youth as they relate to students. (K)
1.3 Understanding of the distinctions between roles and responsibilities of professionals, paraprofessionals, and support personnel. (K)
1.4 Understanding of the purposes and goals of education and instruction for all students. (K)
1.5 Knowledge of relevant laws, rules, regulations, and local district policies and procedures to ensure paraprofessionals work within the parameters. (K)
Competency Documentation Sheet -K
Core Competency Area 1:
Philosophical, Historical, and Legal Foundations of Education
Competency 1.1 Sensitivity to the beliefs, traditions, and values across cultures and how these impact the relationships between children, families, and schooling.
1. How did you acquire new knowledge related to this competency? Please check one.
q College Course (Transcript of CEU attached)
q Pare eLink (Documentation attached)
q Conference/Workshop (Certificate of Participation attached)
q Transferable Work Experiences (Example of Work)
2. Write three things you learned that apply to this competency.
3. How does what you learned apply to your role as a paraprofessional?
Documentation of this competency has been reviewed and approved by the district review team.
Signature of district review team Date
Competency Documentation Sheet -K
Core Competency Area 1:
Philosophical, Historical, and Legal Foundations of Education
Competency 1.1 Sensitivity to the beliefs, traditions, and values across cultures and how these impact the relationships between children, families, and schooling.
1. How did you acquire new knowledge related to this competency? Please check one.
q College Course (Transcript of CEU attached)
X Pare eLink (Documentation attached)
q Conference/Workshop (Certificate of Participation attached)
q Transferable Work Experiences (Example of Work)
2. Write three things you learned that apply to this competency.
1. Cultural beliefs, traditions, and values can be very gender specific.
2. Avoid assumptions about behaviors, they may be related to specific cultures.
3. Celebration of holidays can be based on religious beliefs.
4. How does what you learned apply to your role as a paraprofessional?
There are 5 ESL students in the classroom I serve. I must be aware of cultural diversity when working with these students.
Documentation of this competency has been reviewed and approved by the district review team.
Signature of district review team Date
Competency Documentation Sheet - K
Core Competency Area 3:
Assessment, Diagnosis, and Evaluation
Competency 3.1 Awareness of the tools used by the district for student assessment, diagnosis, and evaluation.
1. How did you acquire new knowledge and skills related to this competency? Please check one.
q College Course (Transcript or CEU attached)
q Para eLink (Documentation attached)
X Conference/Workshop (Certificate of Participation attached)
q Transferable Work Experiences (Example of Work)
2. Write three things you learned that apply to this competency.
I attended a district inservice that outlined the types of assessment used by the school district. I learned that some assessments are given to all students and others are given to individual students to identify learning disabilities or the need for special education services. I, also, learned that some assessments are informal such as checklists that I could help the teacher complete. I learned that formal assessments are often given by the school psychologist and then a report is written to explain the results.
3. How does what you learned apply to your role as a paraprofessional?
As a paraprofessional I am able to assist the teachers by documenting information about students that can be used to help in diagnosing. Sometimes I am asked to complete behavior checklists, on task behavior, or work completion charts and this information helps the teacher to keep track of how well students are doing.
Documentation of this competency has been reviewed and approved by the district review team.
Signature of district review team Date
Competency Documentation Sheet - K
Core Competency Area 2:
Characteristics of Students
Competency 2.2 Awareness of the effects that exceptional conditions have on a student’s life, family, school, and community.
1. How did you acquire new knowledge and skills related to this competency?
Please check one.
q College Course (Transcript or CEU attached)
X Para eLink (Documentation attached)
q Conference/Workshop (Certificate of Participation attached)
q Transferable Work Experiences (Example of Work)
2. Write three things you learned that apply to this competency.
A child’s disability may or may not effect their learning. Often other people’s opinions and expectations can limit a student more than their disability. It is important to understand the true challenges of the students we work with and how those impact them in school.
3. How does what you learned apply to your role as a paraprofessional?
It is important that I understand the real challenges that the students I work with face. Working with the student’s teacher. I should support the student in ways that don’t assume more need that what they really require. I need to learn how their disability impacts their learning and support them.
Documentation of this competency has been reviewed and approved by the district review team.
Signature of district review team Date
Competency Documentation Sheet - S
Core Competency Area 3:
Assessment, Diagnosis, and Evaluation
Competency 3.2 Ability to collect and record performance data on students under the direction of a licensed teacher, while respecting student confidentiality and the laws regarding ethical practices of assessment.
1. How did you acquire new knowledge and skills related to this competency?
Please check one.
q College Course (Transcript or CEU attached)
q Para eLink (Documentation attached)
q Conference/Workshop (Certificate of Participation attached)
q Demonstration of skill (observation/documentation)
X Transferable Work Experiences (Example of Work)
2. Describe the situation (setting) during which you demonstrated this skill (i.e. classroom, etc.)
9th grade science classroom – laboratory group assignment. The student I was observing was working with three other students.
3. Describe what you did to demonstrate this skill.
As the students were working, I was documenting how often my student was on-task and actively participating in the group. I had been instructed to make a checkmark whenever the student exhibited inappropriate behavior (refusing to participate, making inappropriate comments, leaving the group).
4. Describe the results of your action(s).
I give the results of my observations to the teacher on a regular basis. When my student has fewer checkmarks than the cutoff point, she is allowed to choose an activity from a list agreed upon by the teacher. After a specific number of days below the checkpoint, my student will be allowed to participate in the science lab group without me right next to her.
5. Witness to Skill Demonstration
I observed this skill adequately demonstrated.
Name Position Date
Documentation of this competency has been reviewed and approved by the district review team.
Signature of district review team Date
Competency Documentation Sheet - K
Core Competency Area 1Philosophical, Historical, and Legal Foundations of Education
Competency 1.1 / Sensitivity to the beliefs, traditions, and values across cultures and how these impact the relationships between children, families, and schooling.
1. How did you acquire new knowledge and skills related to this competency?
Please check one.
q College Course (Transcript or CEU attached)
q Para eLink (Documentation attached)
q Conference/Workshop (Certificate of Participation attached)
q Transferable Work Experiences (Example of Work)
2. Write three things you learned that apply to this competency.
3. How does what you learned apply to your role as a paraprofessional?
Documentation of this competency has been reviewed and approved by the district review team.
Signature of district review team Date
Competency Documentation Sheet - K
Philosophical, Historical, and Legal Foundations of Education
Competency 1.2 / Awareness of the human and legal rights and responsibilities of parents and children/youth as they relate to students.
1. How did you acquire new knowledge and skills related to this competency?