What is the difference in a paraprofessional and a teachers aid?

Question

What is the difference in a paraprofessional and a teachers aid?

Answer 1

In my district, aides are considered paraprofessionals if they have passed the Parapro exam, or if they have the equivalent of an associates degree.

Answer 2

Usually, a paraprofessional is someone who has been trained to handle all of the parts of a professional's job except for those that absolutely or legally require the professional themselves to do it.  For example, a paralegal is someone who cannot represent legal clients in court or sign documents as a lawyer, but has been educated to handle elements of a lawyer's job such as research, the development of contracts, etc.  

A teacher's aide is someone who helps the teacher, so in that way s/he is like a paraprofessional, but unfortunately, most have not specifically received an education to be teacher's aides.  Usually they are people who either just like kids or who may have a general education.

Answer 3

Nothing, they are the same thing.

Answer 4

I know in texas there is training offered to become a para.  They learn more about learning styles and what the teacher has to do and can integrate themselves into the classroom environment to assist with academic needs.  On the other hand the teacher assistant is one who takes care of more clerical duties in the classroom.  With this being said I have had some wonderful aides that are invaluable to me in the classroom setting.