8 tips for Implementing Behavior Intervention Plans- with ParaeducatorsÂ
RELATIONSHIP
Articulate roles & responsibilities
One lead/one assist
Effective communication
Including the paraeducator’s responsibilities in the Lesson planning
Beginning of the year overview of expectations and processes.
Interventional Educator Questions
- How do I currently articulate roles and responsibilities to my paraeducators?
- What steps are needed to organize a beginning of the school year meeting?
Paraeducator Questions
- How can I ensure I understand my role and responsibilities to effectively support the students and teacher while clarifying tasks handled by the lead educator?
- What are the most effective ways to communicate with the lead educator to stay updated on plans, share relevant observations, and contribute to the team’s success?
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IEP MEETING & REVIEW BIP
Paraeducators attend meetings
Set up time to review information
Regularly scheduled meeting time
Moving several paraeducator’s schedules around to allow one paraeducator to be able to attend an IEP or BIP meeting.
Developing a schedule with the building level administrator for time to meet with paraeducators.
Interventional Educator Questions
- What challenges do I face to get my paraeducators to attend IEP or BIP meetings?
- When would be a reasonable time to meet with my paraeducators?
- How often would do we need to meet?
Paraeducator Questions
- How can I actively participate in IEP or BIP meetings to stay informed about the students I support and focus on key details that will help me better assist them?
- How can I ensure I’m consistently available for scheduled meetings and collaborate effectively with the lead educator and team to review student progress?
ENSURE BIP FITS PARAEDUCATOR
Train or switch paraeducator
Use a contextual fit survey
Share the philosophical foundation of strategies so paraeducators understand the why??
Create a contextual fit survey, have the paraeducator complete it, review it, and discuss options.
Discuss the strategies in the BIP with the paraeducator to assess ability and comfort.
Interventional Educator Questions:
- What questions should I include in a contextual fit survey for my paraeducators?
- Which of my paraeducatorswould be able to switch positions if needed?
Paraeducator Questions
- How can I ensure I’m properly trained to support students based on their BIP and identify any additional training needed to be more effective in implementing behavior strategies?
- How can I better understand the rationale behind the behavior strategies I’m asked to implement, and what should I do if I don’t fully understand the purpose of a strategy?
SHARED PHILOSOPHY
Effective classroom management is rooted in a shared philosophy
Attach the “why”
When directing a paraeducator to implement a strategy, explain why the strategy is being used in addition to the steps.
Intervention Educator Questions
What is my philosophy of approaching behavior?
Which strategies that are currently being implemented do I need to go back and discuss the “why?” and “how?” with the paraeducator
Paraeducator Questions
- How can I align my approach to classroom management with the lead educator’s philosophy and the school’s goals while adapting my strategies to be more effective?
- How can I ensure I understand the “why” behind the strategies I’m using and approach the lead educator if I feel unclear about their purpose or effectiveness?
CHEAT SHEET OF STRATEGIES
Strategies per specific students
Outline important steps
Use fidelity checklists in tandem
Select the target strategies, write down an overview of the strategy, as well as a list of the steps.                 Give additional resources to use as needed.
Interventional Educator Questions
Which strategies that are currently being implemented would benefit from a cheat sheet?
What components should I include on a cheat sheet?
Paraeducator Questions:Â
- How can I create a clear and concise cheat sheet for the strategies I’m using with specific students to ensure I’m following each step consistently?
- How can I use fidelity checklists alongside the cheat sheet to monitor my implementation and make sure I’m applying strategies accurately?
How can I set up time to have someone else observe my work with my students who have behavior intervention plans?
What is the best way for me to receive feedback to ensure I am continuously improving my practice and staying aligned with the strategies being implemented?
FOUNDATIONAL BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT
Provide training on universal behavior management strategies rooted in ABA
Train teachers and paraeducators together
Review principles of ABA before strategies.
Target strategies that address behaviors outlined in the BIPS.
Alter schedules and/or seek substitutes so that teachers and paraeducators can attend trainings together.
Interventional Educator Questions
How familiar with ABA principles am I?
Do I require further training?
What ABA strategies should I focus on first?
What things do I need to put in place to allow two person training?
Paraeducator Questions
How familiar am I with ABA principles, and which specific strategies should I focus on to improve my support for students’ behavior?
What steps can I take to ensure I can attend dyad training sessions with the teacher and make the most of these learning opportunities?
Keep this list of ideas, tips and questions handy when you are meeting with your intructional team members:
8 Tips for Improving Paraeducator Implementation of Behavior Intervention Plans (1)