learning support assistants could look after classses of pupils whist teachers engaged in other tasks?

Question

the role of learning support assistants

Answer 1

It depends on whether the TA is assigned to the teacher, or if the child is severe/profound and the TA is assigned as a 1:1 for the student.

If the TA is assigned directly to the teacher/program, the TA's job is to provide routine instruction activities as directed by the teacher, to help with classroom management, help with routine paperwork and materials management, and other similar duties. The TA may be assigned to a particular student or group for a given time, or may be circulating through the whole group, dependent on where the teacher's most pressing needs are. The TA also needs to be closely aware of each student's IEP goals and modifications, so that the TA's interaction with each student is appropriate.

If the TA is assigned 1:1 to a particular severe/profound student, to fill a role defined by that student's IEP, then the TA's job is to provide individual care, physical maintenance, and implementing routine daily instruction and therapy activities developed and assigned by the teacher and therapists. The specific duties are outlined by the IEP to directly address individual need. The TA's duties are directly supervised by the student's teacher, but are specific only to that one student.

The TA must be directly supervised by the teacher, and follow the teacher's directives rather than his/her own opinion about what is best for the student.

Answer 2

After 7 years of being a TA in Texas I was told that I was unqualified for the job. (No Child Left Behind) I have recently become re-certified for Texas.

I can think of many instances of a TA working with students without a Cert. Teacher present.
During the Teacher's lunch period
During the Teacher's conference period
While the Teacher is at an ARD Meeting
While the Teacher is conferencing with another teacher or parent

At the middle school level there may be students at different grade levels in one class. They will not have the same lunch periods. This can be a scheduling nightmare. The seventh grade elective period will not coincide with the sixth grade elective period. I have been in situations where there are 7 students in a life skills class, 1 teacher and 3 TA's. I was required to do 2 lunch duties and stay in the class for another lunch period with 1 student. The teachers lunch period and conference period fell during this time. It may not be right for the teacher not to be in the same room, but it is the only way in some cases.

Answer 3

The most proper termanology is Instructional/Personal/Behavioral Aides. If you clumb them in with custodians or clerical worker then it would be paraprofessional. And sorry but no one can say that they have not left the room and allowed the aide in the room to supervise. Im sorry but very few can say that without lying. I know every class that I was in I have had to watch the kids as the teacher went to the R/R, as many times I did instruction during the whole class period. Hell I have subbed for a teacher for the whole day when i was an aide.
Its called the real world, aides i know are not LEGALLY allowed to but it happens and i assure you any well trained and experienced aide can do as good if not better than teachers. (they get to actualyl know the kids, in which the teachers dont no offence) I know, im an aide and my mom is a sp-ed teacher and she use to be an aide, and she has even said it

Answer 4

Hi,

I am a special ed. assistant in Los Angeles and according to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, a national law, only credential holding teachers can supervise student during instructional time. That being said, since many of us are working on some level of our degree, we can present lessons as long as the supervising teacher is still in the room. But we cannot be expected to do it, only if we need to. Hope that helps

Answer 5

Unless they are considered "teachers," assistants are not permitted to be unsupervised in the classroom.

It would be REALLY nice to let my helper teach a basic class while I get paperwork done or make my necessary phone calls, but that is unethical. Assistants are not "trained" to be teachers (sorry to say--some are better than some teachers!).

Plus, it becomes a very sticky teacher's union issue.