CODESP Paraeducator 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A paraeducator is assigned to support a student with cerebral palsy who uses an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device. The paraeducator's role includes:
- Speaking for the student to save time during lessons
- Ensuring the device is charged, accessible, and used by the student for communication (Correct answer)
- Limiting device use to free time so it doesn't disrupt instruction
- Programming the device without consulting the SLP
Correct answer: Ensuring the device is charged, accessible, and used by the student for communication
Paraeducators support AAC use by maintaining device accessibility and encouraging student use across all settings, following SLP guidance.
Question 2: Which behavior is an example of positive reinforcement?
- Removing a disliked task when a student complies
- Giving a student a sticker after they complete their work correctly (Correct answer)
- Ignoring a student's off-task behavior
- Assigning extra homework for disruptive behavior
Correct answer: Giving a student a sticker after they complete their work correctly
Positive reinforcement involves adding a desirable stimulus after a behavior to increase the likelihood of that behavior recurring.
Question 3: When a paraeducator collects data on a student's behavior, the PRIMARY purpose is to:
- Build a disciplinary record against the student
- Inform instructional and behavioral decisions made by the team (Correct answer)
- Replace the need for teacher observation
- Determine whether the student should be removed from the classroom
Correct answer: Inform instructional and behavioral decisions made by the team
Data collection helps the educational team evaluate whether interventions are effective and guides instructional adjustments.
Question 4: A student becomes physically aggressive. The paraeducator has not received crisis intervention training. The BEST action is to:
- Physically restrain the student using any available technique
- Ensure student and peer safety, remove others if possible, and immediately call for trained staff (Correct answer)
- Lock the classroom door and wait for the behavior to stop
- Threaten consequences to de-escalate immediately
Correct answer: Ensure student and peer safety, remove others if possible, and immediately call for trained staff
Untrained staff should not attempt physical restraint; their role is to ensure safety and summon trained personnel.
Question 5: The concept of 'fading' in special education refers to:
- Gradually reducing prompts to build student independence (Correct answer)
- Removing a student from an inclusion setting
- Decreasing reinforcement without replacing it with any other support
- Eliminating IEP goals as the student improves
Correct answer: Gradually reducing prompts to build student independence
Fading systematically reduces adult support to help students perform skills independently over time.
Question 6: A teacher asks the paraeducator to lead a small group reading lesson. To be most effective, the paraeducator should:
- Design the lesson independently using personal teaching methods
- Follow the teacher's lesson plan and instructional strategies, then report student performance back (Correct answer)
- Allow students to self-direct the lesson to build autonomy
- Teach the same content as the large group without modification
Correct answer: Follow the teacher's lesson plan and instructional strategies, then report student performance back
Paraeducators implement instruction designed by the teacher and provide feedback to maintain instructional consistency and teamwork.
Question 7: Which of the following BEST describes the paraeducator's role regarding student medications?
- Administer any medication if the student asks for it
- Follow district policy, which typically requires specific authorization and documentation before assisting with medication (Correct answer)
- Keep all student medications in their desk for convenience
- Decide independently whether a student needs their medication on a given day
Correct answer: Follow district policy, which typically requires specific authorization and documentation before assisting with medication
Medication administration requires strict adherence to district policy, physician orders, and documented parental consent.
CODESP Paraeducator 3
A paraeducator is assigned to support a student with cerebral palsy who uses an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device.
The paraeducator's role includes: