Retention of Paraprofessionals in Public School Classrooms

1. Retention of Paraprofessionals in Public School Classrooms Christina Young, B.A. Rebecca Roark, M.A. Margaret Werts, Ph.D. Shirley Harris, M.A., M.S. Appalachian State University Boone, NC Retention 4.28.2000

2. Retention 4.28.2000

3. Research Questions • What are the reasons paraprofessionals report for staying in a job situation? • What are the reasons that paraprofessionals report for leaving a job situation? • What are the implications for the field? Retention 4.28.2000

4. Procedures 1. Telephone interviews with a structured interview 2. Interviews conducted with 21 persons 10 who were still working as paraprofessionals 11 who had left the job within the past two years 3. Analysis of transcripts for themes Retention 4.28.2000

5. Questions in the interview • Demographics: title, age, children, etc. • What type of training have you received? • What is your level of education? • Why did you take the job? • What do or did you like about the job? • What do or did you dislike about the job? Retention 4.28.2000

6. Demographics Experience; Average 9.4 years Range: 4 months to 24 years Age: Average 43.4 Range: 27 to 57 20 of 21 have children 15 married, 3 divorced/separated, 2 single, 1 engaged Retention 4.28.2000

7. General information • 17 general education paraprofessionals • 4 special education paraprofessionals • 16 lived in the community in which they worked Not a difference for leavers and stayers • Range of grade level=kindergarten to high school (1 student) Retention 4.28.2000

8. Years of experience as a paraprofessional n=21 Retention 4.28.2000

9. Paraprofessionals who are still on the job • Average length of experience – 15 years and counting • Average age- 47.8 (and graying) Retention 4.28.2000

10. Paraprofessionals who have left the job • Average length of stay= 3.2 years or 4.8 years with the I person with 18 years • Average age= 39.5 Retention 4.28.2000

11. Why did you take the job? • Liked working with children or liked • children 18 of 21 • Family concerns such as children's • schedules 10 respondents • 3. Volunteers- Right place, Right time • 3 respondents Retention 4.28.2000

12. What did you like about the job? • Seventeen people stated that they liked the children. • Good working conditions. • The schedule allowed some freedom. • The paraprofessionals liked being helpful. Retention 4.28.2000

13. “The most rewarding thing is when you have a child come up to you and say, ‘I came up 5 points,’ or ‘I came up 10 points on my end of grade.’ And you know that little extra help you gave them is worth every bit of gleam in their eye.” Retention 4.28.2000

14. What did you dislike about the job? • Low pay– 12 respondents • Working conditions- 10 respondents • Administrative Issues- Linked to working conditions 15 respondents • Lack of support from families Retention 4.28.2000

15. Why do you stay on the job? • I have good people to work with. • I would like to have been a teacher. • I like the schedule. • I like the children and the learning process. Retention 4.28.2000

16. Why did you leave the job? Took a Different job • Different type of job • Better paying job • Wanted to work in a different area • Needed full time work • To become a teacher Retention 4.28.2000

17. Why did you leave the job? (con’t) • Working conditions Constant change in programs Stress I had to drive a bus--3 • Money- cost of day care • Moved Retention 4.28.2000

18. What do we know Retention 4.28.2000

19. “I would like for this research to go further … if possible for you to come in the schools and see what all teacher assistants do… We do everything, we are right there with the teachers doing exactly what they are doing.” Retention 4.28.2000

20. “…overall teacher assistants will be allowed or asked to do whatever they show that they are capable of.” Retention 4.28.2000

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