Career Development for Non-Traditional Community College Students as Special Education Paraprofessionals. Final Report.
AUTHOR: Harrison, Sharonlyn
PUBLICATION DATE: 1997-00-0
ABSTRACT: This final report describes the Career Development for
Non-Traditional College Students as Special Education Paraprofessionals
Project, a Michigan project designed to develop career paths and employment
opportunities for paraprofessionals who work with children, youth, and
adults with disabilities. Its intent was to develop a value-based curriculum
that focuses on community presence and participation, communicates guiding
values, and emphasizes; human relationships and support to individuals with
disabilities. While learning best practices in the field, students also
developed the skills needed for successful academic work. Highlights of the
project included: (1) creating career path possibilities for
paraprofessionals; (2) affecting persons with developmental disabilities and
their families through paraprofessional training experiences that provided a
vision of community presence and participation; (3) developing an extensive
curriculum and student handbook; (4) developing innovative recruitment
strategies, including a closed-captioned video; (5) enhancing the status of
the direct-care role through building career paths that allowed
paraprofessional to obtain higher education and job advancement within the
field; (6) increasing minority participants through targeted minority
recruitment; and (7) teaching state of the art strategies to
paraprofessionals. Appendices include a paraprofessional curriculum for
community inclusion, course listings, and a technical assistance guide. (CR)

NUMBER OF PAGES: 201
INSTITUTION: Wayne State Univ., Detroit, MI. Developmental Disabilities
Inst.
SPONSORING AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
(ED), Washington, DC.
AVAILABLE FROM: Developmental Disabilities Institute, Wayne State
University, 268 Leonard Simons Building, 4809 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI
48202;telephone: 313-577-2654.
EDRS PRICE: MF01/PC09 Plus Postage.

ERIC NO.: ED415647
CONTRACT: H029F30010-94
PUBLICATION YEAR: 1997

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