Question

A paraprofessional is a person who A. works full time in a school. B. performs noninstructional duties. C. assists a professional on a part-time basis when needed. D. usually has had training in how to assist a professional.

Answer 1

Paraprofessionals are defined in the dictionary as people who have been trained to assisst a professional in his/her duties but who cannot perform these duties on his/her own. Mostly, paraprofessionals can be seen supporting the tasks of teachers and doctors. One important aspect about these people is that they are not licensed to practice a specific profession, at least not without the accompaniment of a licensed professional. Taking the example of a paraprofessional in education, paraprofessionals will do things like: supervising of students outside of classrooms, providing administrative assisstance to teachers, sometimes standing in for teachers when needed and some may even have the duty of specialized working with students. But they are always under the supervision and instruction of a professional licensed teacher. This is why the correct answer is B. They perform all the duties that do not pertain to instruction itself as they have not been trained to do this, unless they are under the direct supervision of a trained professional teacher.