Who Are Paraeducators?

In today's classrooms, libraries, media centers, labs and career centers, Paraeducators and other instructional assistants support and enhance the work of teachers in all components of the education process.  Through training and career enhancement opportunities, CSEA has helped "Paras" expand their traditional roles in classrooms to function as technicians and specialists working in special education, bilingual and other programs.  Each year, CSEA is proud to sponsor the California Paraeducator Conference with hundreds of workshops and dozens of expert presenters.  The increased use of paraprofessional staff in education across the United States has been well documented, as has the change in their role from largely clerical to instructional duties.  Their role requires considerable skill in areas which traditionally have been the domain only of professional staff.  Simply put, they are no longer just support personnel.