What should they be doing in their supportive role, and could it mean they should be more involved with the IEP process and the IEP team?

The Role of Paraprofessionals in Special Edcuation

Knackendoffel, Dettmer and Thurston , determined this shift is due to IDEA mandates that requiring students with disabilities to be educated in general education classrooms and receive the same instruction as their grade-level peers.  Paraprofessionals are doing more today and performing different functions than they were two decades ago.

What should they be doing in their supportive role, and could it mean they should be more involved with the IEP process and the IEP team?
According to the Department of Education  The NCLBA,lists the duties a paraprofessional can perform, they are as follows
⦁ one-to- one tutoring that doesn’t replace a teacher’s instructional time, organizing instructional materials to provide classroom management support, conduct parent involvement activities
⦁ Assist with classroom management, such as by organizing instructional materials,
⦁ Provide instructional assistance in a computer laboratory,
⦁ Conduct parental involvement activities,
⦁ Provide instructional support in a library or media center
⦁ Act as a translator, or
⦁ Provide instructional support services under the direct supervision of a highly qualified teacher.