How does a school decide if a child gets a paraproffessinal?

Question

My son has autism and needs a one to one. Who picks the para

the family or the district?

Answer 1

usually the school--but the parent can refer someone--or ask that the para be repalced if she is not working out..

a child with a 504 lan can also have a para

Answer 2

Giving a para is totally dependent on the Evaluation, the IEP and the student academic needs - personally with ASD I think it is better to teach as many independent skills as possible and hope that instruction does not create more dependency.   If however, he has some specific physical and educational needs, that require an ea at some times - that person will be assigned by the district.

Matter of fact it would not be unusual for the support to be provided by different people at different times.  Again - I don't know your son's specific situation so these comments are general.

Answer 3

In my district, the Powers That Be pick/hire the teaching assistant (paraprofessional) but considers the needs of the child.  In some cases, the parent is involved in the hiring process as well.

Answer 4

Both. The ONLY way a child can get a para is if the child is in special ed, the IEP team (including YOU) holds a meeting, discusses and decides on this. AND writes it into the childs IEP plan.

If it's NOT written in they don't have to do it.

It's not the schools decision, like they want you to think.

A school CAN provide a para without child being in special ed but they aren't legally required to. They sometimes say they will do this so the parent won't pursue special ed, and then get rid of the para because they can, and the parent can't do a thing about it.

Answer 5

The school has 100% control over who is hired, etc. if they are the one paying for their salary.  (You pay, you choose.)  If you have complaints about specific issues make them to the principal.