CIA Teacher-Paraprofessional Communication 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A paraprofessional overhears a teacher making a negative comment about a student to a colleague. The most professional response is to:
- Join the conversation to share similar concerns about the student
- Remain uninvolved and address it privately with the teacher if it continues (Correct answer)
- Report the teacher to the principal right away
- Discuss what was overheard with the student's parents
Correct answer: Remain uninvolved and address it privately with the teacher if it continues
Addressing concerns about professionalism should be done privately and directly, not through escalation or gossip.
Question 2: During a co-taught lesson, the paraprofessional should:
- Freely correct the teacher's instruction if an error is noticed in front of students
- Follow the teacher's lead and support students as previously planned (Correct answer)
- Take over instruction if students seem bored with the teacher's approach
- Focus exclusively on one assigned student and ignore the rest of the class
Correct answer: Follow the teacher's lead and support students as previously planned
In co-taught settings, the paraprofessional supports the teacher's instructional plan and avoids undermining the teacher's authority.
Question 3: When a student tells the paraprofessional something concerning about their home life, the paraprofessional's first responsibility is to:
- Advise the student and offer suggestions for the home situation
- Keep the information confidential to protect the student's trust
- Inform the teacher and follow the school's reporting procedures (Correct answer)
- Contact the student's parents directly to discuss the concern
Correct answer: Inform the teacher and follow the school's reporting procedures
Paraprofessionals must report student disclosures to the supervising teacher and follow mandated reporting protocols.
Question 4: A teacher gives a paraprofessional feedback indicating that their prompting style is too directive. The paraprofessional should:
- Explain why their approach is more effective based on personal experience
- Thank the teacher and ask for specific examples of less directive prompting (Correct answer)
- Continue their approach since they believe it helps the student
- Request a meeting with the principal to address the feedback
Correct answer: Thank the teacher and ask for specific examples of less directive prompting
Receiving feedback professionally means acknowledging it and seeking clarification to improve practice.
Question 5: Which of the following is an example of appropriate nonverbal communication between a paraprofessional and teacher during instruction?
- Shaking their head to signal disagreement with a teaching decision
- Making eye contact and giving a nod to confirm a student needs support (Correct answer)
- Pointing at a misbehaving student to prompt the teacher to intervene
- Leaving the room briefly to signal they need a break
Correct answer: Making eye contact and giving a nod to confirm a student needs support
Pre-established nonverbal cues like eye contact and nods allow seamless in-the-moment communication without disrupting instruction.
Question 6: A paraprofessional is assigned to support a student with an IEP. When reviewing the IEP with the teacher, the paraprofessional's role is to:
- Make independent decisions about modifications based on daily observations
- Understand the student's goals and their specific responsibilities for supporting them (Correct answer)
- Propose new IEP goals based on classroom observations
- Contact the IEP team directly if they disagree with the goals
Correct answer: Understand the student's goals and their specific responsibilities for supporting them
Paraprofessionals must understand IEP goals and their designated support role, with the teacher directing implementation.
Question 7: A paraprofessional is unsure whether a student's accommodation requires extended time or a separate testing room. They should:
- Choose the accommodation they think is best and inform the teacher afterward
- Provide both accommodations to be safe
- Consult the teacher or case manager before the test begins (Correct answer)
- Ask the student which accommodation they prefer
Correct answer: Consult the teacher or case manager before the test begins
Accommodation decisions must align with the student's IEP and should be confirmed with the teacher or case manager before implementation.
CIA Teacher-Paraprofessional Communication 3
A paraprofessional overhears a teacher making a negative comment about a student to a colleague.
The most professional response is to: