NPC Professional Responsibilities & Ethical Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A paraprofessional overhears a colleague discussing a student's confidential IEP information in the hallway. What is the most appropriate response?
- Ignore the conversation since the colleague may have authorization
- Privately remind the colleague that confidential discussions should occur in private settings (Correct answer)
- Report the colleague to the principal immediately without speaking to them first
- Join the conversation to offer additional student information
Correct answer: Privately remind the colleague that confidential discussions should occur in private settings
Paraprofessionals should address confidentiality breaches by first speaking privately with the colleague, as FERPA requires student information be protected in all settings.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the paraprofessional's role in the instructional hierarchy?
- Equal partner with the classroom teacher in making curriculum decisions
- Subordinate to the teacher who plans and directs all instructional activities (Correct answer)
- Independent instructor responsible for designing their own lessons
- Supervisor of student learning outcomes and progress monitoring
Correct answer: Subordinate to the teacher who plans and directs all instructional activities
Paraprofessionals work under the supervision and direction of licensed teachers who are responsible for curriculum planning and instructional decisions.
Question 3: A parent contacts a paraprofessional directly asking for detailed updates on their child's academic performance. How should the paraprofessional respond?
- Provide full details since parents have a right to information about their child
- Decline to share any information and end the conversation immediately
- Redirect the parent to the supervising teacher and offer to arrange a meeting (Correct answer)
- Share only informal observations and avoid mentioning the teacher
Correct answer: Redirect the parent to the supervising teacher and offer to arrange a meeting
Paraprofessionals should redirect parent communication regarding student performance to the supervising teacher, who holds instructional authority.
Question 4: When a paraprofessional disagrees with a teacher's instructional approach, what is the most professionally appropriate action?
- Implement a different strategy without informing the teacher
- Discuss concerns privately with the teacher at an appropriate time (Correct answer)
- Complain to other paraprofessionals during lunch
- Contact the district office to report the teacher's methods
Correct answer: Discuss concerns privately with the teacher at an appropriate time
Professional ethics require paraprofessionals to raise concerns through direct, private communication with their supervising teacher rather than bypassing the chain of command.
Question 5: Which federal law most directly governs the protection of student educational records and privacy?
- IDEA — Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
- ADA — Americans with Disabilities Act
- FERPA — Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (Correct answer)
- NCLB — No Child Left Behind Act
Correct answer: FERPA — Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) is the federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.
Question 6: A student discloses to a paraprofessional that they are being abused at home. What must the paraprofessional do?
- Keep the information confidential to maintain the student's trust
- Investigate the claim independently before reporting
- Report the disclosure to a mandated reporter or follow mandated reporting protocol immediately (Correct answer)
- Ask the student to speak with the school counselor on their own
Correct answer: Report the disclosure to a mandated reporter or follow mandated reporting protocol immediately
Paraprofessionals are mandated reporters in most states and must immediately report suspected child abuse or neglect to the appropriate authority.
Question 7: Maintaining professional boundaries with students means a paraprofessional should avoid:
- Praising students for completing difficult tasks
- Developing personal friendships with students outside of school (Correct answer)
- Using student names during instruction
- Adapting communication style to individual student needs
Correct answer: Developing personal friendships with students outside of school
Professional boundaries require that paraprofessionals avoid personal friendships or social relationships with students outside the school setting.
NPC Professional Responsibilities & Ethical Standards 2
A paraprofessional overhears a colleague discussing a student's confidential IEP information in the hallway.
What is the most appropriate response?