Who can provide IEP minutes besides the special education teacher in a resource program? Can a teacher’s assistant service IEP minutes with direction from the special ed teacher? What is the difference between direct minutes and supplementary minutes?
Thank you!
Dear Lavonne:
As a general matter, the duties of teachers versus paraprofessionals are spelled out in state law. However, under both NCLB and IDEA, instruction must be provided by highly qualified teachers that meet state standards for teachers. Paraprofessionals may assist the teacher and student under the supervision of the teacher, but should not provide ongoing direct instruction themselves, particularly without direct ongoing involvement by the teacher.
If the IEP specifies a certain number of instructional minutes by a teacher, those minutes should be provided by the teacher.