Instructional Assistant I/II - Special Education (School Year) 21100

BASIC FUNCTIONS:

INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT I SPECIAL EDUCATION
Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, provide instructional support and assistance to teachers and students assigned to a designated special education instructional program, including Special Day Class (SDC), Resource Specialist Program (RSP), Adapted Physical Education (APE), Inclusion, Designated Hard of Hearing (DHH) or other non-critical care instructional program; perform instructional support activities related to behavior management and other related activities to special education students; perform a variety of routine clerical duties.

INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT II SPECIAL EDUCATION
Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, assist a certificated teacher in providing instruction to individuals or groups of students in an assigned critical skills special education program including Severely Handicapped, Physical Handicapped or Transition programs; monitor and report student progress regarding behavior and performance; perform a variety of clerical and supportive duties related to classroom activities.

The Instructional Assistant I-Special Education classification supports the instruction and activities related to a designated non-critical special education program.
Incumbents assigned to the Instructional Assistant II-Special Education classification perform more complex instructional support and assistance for students enrolled in a self-contained and critical skills environment as the primary assignment, including Severely Handicapped and Physically Handicapped programs where handicapping conditions are generally more severe.  
 

INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT I SPECIAL EDUCATION

Provide instructional support and assistance to teachers and students assigned to a designated special education instructional program, including Special Day Class (SDC), Resource Specialist Program (RSP), Adapted Physical Education (APE), Inclusion, Designated Hard of Hearing (DHH) or other non-critical care instructional program. E

 

Assist in the preparation of a variety of instructional materials and learning aides; rephrase materials and explain instructions and words; administer, monitor and score a variety of tests; assist in the implementation of curriculum for assigned areas of instruction. E

 

Assist students in completing classroom assignments, homework and projects in various subject areas; assist students by answering questions, providing proper examples, emotional support, friendly attitude and general guidance. E

 

Reinforce instruction to students with learning disabilities and language, communication and behavioral problems; confer with teachers concerning programs and materials to meet the individual needs of special education students. E

 

Provide instructional assistance to individuals or groups of special education students in a special class or when mainstreamed into regular classrooms; assist special and regular education students with whom they are mainstreamed during classroom activities, lunch, physical education periods, recess and various other activities as directed. E

 

Observe and control behavior of students in the classroom according to approved procedures; monitor special education students during outdoor activities as directed; report progress regarding student performance and behavior. E

 

Assist teacher with implementation of Individualized Education Plans or Physical Training Programs through instruction in a variety of activities; provide guidance for students in various areas including academic learning, vocational, social and leisure skills, physical development, self esteem and personal hygiene. E

 

Perform a variety of clerical duties such as preparing, typing and duplicating instructional materials; assist in administering, proctoring and scoring classroom tests and charting student progress; record grades and student attendance as required; maintain student records and files. E

 

Maintain the confidentiality of student records and information according to established guidelines. E

 

Provide support to instructional personnel by setting up work areas, displays and exhibits; operate and assist students in the operation of audio-visual and educational training equipment. E

 

Implement assigned sections of pupil behavior management plans which may involve use of approved behavior modification, physical management techniques or other skills or knowledge to establish and maintain appropriate behaviors. E

 

Monitor and assist student with special learning needs in drill, practice and study activities; direct students into safe learning activities and functions; assists students in loading and unloading buses. E

 

Assist in the development of communication skills with students experiencing language, hearing, vision and other disorders. E

 

Maintain classroom environment in a safe, clean and orderly condition; assure the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and procedures which may include lifting, toileting and diapering as necessary; assist with lifting students in and out of wheelchairs and pushing students in wheelchairs as necessary. E

 

Participate in staff meetings, in-service training programs and parent conferences as assigned. E

 

Operate a variety of audio-visual equipment, electronic teaching machines and office equipment including typewriter, copier, computer and assigned student software. E

 

Assist in the management of student behavior through the use of positive reinforcement strategies and techniques; observe and control behavior of students according to approved procedures; assist in the shaping of social behavior. E

INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT II SPECIAL EDUCATION
Assist a certificated teacher in providing instruction to students in an assigned special education program such as Severely Handicapped (SH), Physical Handicapped and Transition special education assignments; provide support and assistance to special education students in a classroom or designated learning environment. E
 
Assist in the preparation of a variety of instructional materials and learning aides; rephrase materials and explain instructions and words; administer, monitor and score a variety of tests. E
 
Reinforce instruction to students with learning disabilities and language, communication and behavioral problems; confer with teachers concerning programs and materials to meet the individual needs of special education students. E
 
Assist with lifting students in and out of wheelchairs, braces and other orthopedic equipment and pushing students in wheelchairs as necessary; assist staff members in positioning pupils and in rendering various forms of personal care such as toileting and diapering, dressing, undressing, bathing and grooming; assure the safe use and operation of wheelchairs, prosthetic devices and other equipment. E
 
Assist teacher with implementation of Individualized Education Plans or Physical Training Programs through instruction in a variety of activities; provide guidance for students in various areas including critical life skills, academic learning, social and leisure skills, physical development and personal hygiene. E
 
Perform a variety of clerical duties such as preparing, typing and duplicating instructional materials; assist in administering, proctoring and scoring classroom tests and charting student progress; record grades; maintain student records and files including confidential student records information. E
 
Perform routine first aid including emergency treatment of children experiencing seizures or respiratory problems orthopedic distress and pulmonary conditions; maintain daily documentation of specialized physical health care services and procedures as assigned. E
 
Provide support to instructional personnel by setting up work areas, displays and exhibits; operate and assist students in the operation of audio-visual and educational training equipment. E
 
Implement assigned sections of pupil behavior management plans which may involve use of approved behavior modification, physical management techniques or other skills or knowledge to establish and maintain appropriate behaviors; supervise and discipline students according to approved policies and procedures. E
 
Provide instructional assistance to individual special education students in mainstreamed classrooms; assist special education students during classroom activities, lunch, physical education periods, recess and various other activities as directed. E
 
Monitor and assist student with special learning needs in drill, practice and study activities; direct students into safe learning activities and functions; maintain an orderly, attractive and positive learning environment; assists students in loading and unloading buses. E
 
Maintain the confidentiality of student records and information according to established guidelines. E
 
Assure the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and procedures which may include lifting, toileting and diapering as necessary. E
 
Participate in staff meetings, in-service training programs, home visits and parent conferences as assigned. E
 
Operate a variety of audio-visual equipment, electronic teaching machines and office equipment including typewriter, copier and computer terminal. E
 
Assist in the management of student behavior through the use of positive reinforcement strategies and techniques; observe and control behavior of students according to approved procedures; assist in the shaping of social behavior. E
 

Perform related duties as assigned.

ABILITY TO:

Provide instructional support and assistance to teachers and students assigned to a designated special education instructional program.

Perform instructional support activities related to behavior management and other related activities to special education students.

Reinforce instruction to students with disabilities, communication and behavioral problems.

Assist with instruction and related activities in a classroom or assigned learning environment.

Perform clerical duties related to classroom activities.

Understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.

Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Understand and work within scope of authority.

Work confidentially with discretion.

INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT II SPECIAL EDUCATION

KNOWLEDGE OF:
Child guidance principles and practices related to children with special education needs.
Problems and concerns of students with special needs.
Basic subjects taught in District schools including arithmetic, reading, writing, grammar and spelling.
Safe practices in classroom activities.
Basic instructional methods and techniques.
Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
Oral and written communication skills.
Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
Basic record-keeping techniques.
Classroom procedures and appropriate student conduct.

ABILITY TO:
Assist a certificated teacher in providing instruction to individuals or groups of students in an assigned critical skills special education program.
Monitor and report student progress regarding behavior and performance.
Perform a variety of clerical and supportive duties related to classroom activities.
Reinforce instruction to students with learning disabilities, communication and behavioral problems.
Assist with instruction and related activities in a classroom or assigned learning environment.
Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
Work confidentially with discretion.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Understand and work within scope of authority.
Work confidentially with discretion.
 

 

ENVIRONMENT:

Indoor and outdoor working environment.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Sitting or standing for extended periods of time.

Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching to assist students.

Restrain students who become physically aggressive.

Hearing and speaking to exchange information and make presentations.

Seeing to read assignments and to monitor student activities.

Lifting disabled students in and out of specialized equipment.

Carrying, pushing or pulling to assist students in wheelchairs.

 

HAZARDS:

Potential exposure to communicable diseases and contact with blood and other body fluids.

Potential exposure to physical injury from aggressive behavior.