NPC Professional Responsibilities & Ethical Standards 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A paraprofessional is assigned to assist a student with a physical disability. The student asks the paraprofessional not to help them with a task they can do independently. What should the paraprofessional do?
- Assist anyway to ensure the task is completed correctly
- Honor the student's request and allow them to complete the task independently (Correct answer)
- Report the student's refusal to the principal
- Contact the parent immediately to discuss the student's behavior
Correct answer: Honor the student's request and allow them to complete the task independently
Promoting student independence and self-determination is a core ethical responsibility; paraprofessionals should not over-assist when students can and want to work independently.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of a paraprofessional acting OUTSIDE their appropriate scope of practice?
- Implementing a behavior intervention plan designed by the teacher
- Modifying a student's IEP goals without consulting the supervising teacher (Correct answer)
- Reading instructions aloud to a student with a visual impairment
- Assisting a student with assistive technology as directed
Correct answer: Modifying a student's IEP goals without consulting the supervising teacher
Modifying IEP goals is a licensed professional's responsibility; paraprofessionals implement plans designed by qualified team members, not alter them.
Question 3: Ongoing professional development is important for paraprofessionals primarily because:
- It fulfills a legal requirement with no practical benefit
- It allows paraprofessionals to replace teacher roles more easily
- It improves their ability to effectively support student learning (Correct answer)
- It qualifies them to make independent instructional decisions
Correct answer: It improves their ability to effectively support student learning
Professional development enhances the skills and knowledge paraprofessionals need to effectively support students and collaborate with licensed staff.
Question 4: A paraprofessional notices that a student's behavior plan does not seem to be working. The most appropriate response is to:
- Independently modify the plan to try a new approach
- Ignore the situation since it is the teacher's responsibility
- Document observations and share them with the supervising teacher (Correct answer)
- Discuss the plan's ineffectiveness with the student's parents directly
Correct answer: Document observations and share them with the supervising teacher
Paraprofessionals contribute valuable observational data and should communicate concerns to the supervising teacher, who has authority to modify intervention plans.
Question 5: Which of the following best illustrates cultural responsiveness in a paraprofessional's practice?
- Treating all students identically regardless of cultural background
- Acknowledging and respecting cultural differences that influence student learning and behavior (Correct answer)
- Encouraging students to adopt mainstream cultural practices at school
- Avoiding discussion of cultural topics to prevent conflict
Correct answer: Acknowledging and respecting cultural differences that influence student learning and behavior
Cultural responsiveness involves recognizing and honoring students' diverse cultural backgrounds as assets that shape their learning and behavior.
Question 6: A paraprofessional who uses social media to post photos of students without parental consent is violating which principle?
- Professional collaboration standards
- Student confidentiality and privacy rights (Correct answer)
- Workplace productivity expectations
- Instructional duty requirements
Correct answer: Student confidentiality and privacy rights
Posting student photos without consent violates FERPA-protected privacy rights and professional confidentiality standards.
Question 7: When a paraprofessional is unsure how to handle a specific student situation, the best course of action is to:
- Use personal judgment and handle it independently
- Observe what other paraprofessionals do and follow their example
- Consult with the supervising teacher or seek guidance through the proper chain of command (Correct answer)
- Avoid addressing the situation until the teacher notices it
Correct answer: Consult with the supervising teacher or seek guidance through the proper chain of command
When uncertain, paraprofessionals should seek guidance from their supervising teacher to ensure appropriate, consistent support for the student.
NPC Professional Responsibilities & Ethical Standards 3
A paraprofessional is assigned to assist a student with a physical disability.
The student asks the paraprofessional not to help them with a task they can do independently.
What should the paraprofessional do?