Utah Special Education Paraeducator Handbook - Granite School ...

What does this mean to paraeducators in the classroom?
It means that along with the teacher, you must follow non-discriminatory practices .
Give English language learners access to English language services, as well as social-behavioral
and academic instruction.
Ensure that all students with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education
Do your part to ensure that students feel accepted and in a comfortable environment
Work to ensure equal opportunity for all students
Discrimination against students
The Equal Protection Clause of the 14th
Amendment guarantees protection against
discrimination. Many state laws have further
defined discrimination. Discrimination is
essentially a form of abuse, as it involves unfair
and unequal treatment of students—that is,
some students will receive a lower quality of
education, or less encouragement and assistance
to succeed, than others will receive.
Paraeducators need to be mindful of treating all
students fairly and equitably. Unfortunately,
discriminatory actions are common, often not
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deliberate, but should be avoided. They happen out of thoughtlessness. Our beliefs govern our actions.
If we assume or believe that some students are less capable than others are, we may inadvertently treat
students unequally and unfairly. We need to carefully examine our beliefs and consider their
implications on our work.
Here are some ways to help all students feel comfortable:
It is against the law to discriminate
against students on the basis of:
race
national origin
color
religion
gender
disability
In math and science, be sure to ask girls and boys questions at similar levels of difficulty.
Provide appropriately challenging work for all students, especially those of other cultures, or for
whom English is not their first language.
Plan ways in which you can include all students in an activity or discussion.
Give all students an opportunity to respond to questions. This may mean you wait before calling
on a student to answer. Remember, diverse students may need extra time to think.
Model positive behavior. Name-calling or putdowns should never be allowed.
* Discrimination against adults (based on race, color, religion, gender, disability, or age) is equally illegal.
However, we focus here on discrimination against students. They are our first responsibility.
Utah Paraeducator Handbook Page 26