Abstract
Paraprofessionals have been serving students with exceptionalities for over 30 years. Research exploring their relationship with the teachers with whom they work is scarce. This study examined demographics of teachers and paraprofessionals and attitudes regarding teacher/paraprofessional interaction in the classroom. A questionnaire was sent to 379 teachers and 394 paraprofessionals working together in self-contained classrooms in a large public school district in the Southwest. Fifty-one percent of the questionnaires were returned. Data indicated that teachers and paraprofessionals form two distinct demographic groups. Paraprofessionals were more likely to be married, have children, be of an ethnic minority, belong to an established religion, be of a lower economic bracket, be life-long residents of the community, and be older than teachers. Teachers and paraprofessionals overwhelmingly reported that a positive relationship existed between them. Teachers did not agree that unpleasant duties were evenly shared or that paraprofessionals were subordinate. In addition, women expressed a marked disinclination to work with men. Implications of the results of this study are discussed.
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Haring, K.A., Saren, D., Lovett, D.L. et al. A study of the demographic and attitudinal differences between paraprofessionals and teachers in self-contained special education classrooms. J Dev Phys Disabil 4, 51–73 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01046341
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01046341