Mayerson Academy-Training for Paraprofessionals

Training for Paraprofessionals

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LETRS for Paraprofessionals and Tutors:

Brief Description: Foundations of Literacy – Phonics
This course provides paraprofessionals and tutors with foundational knowledge of how children learn to read, an understanding of the sound system of the English language, and practical strategies to develop phonemic awareness and phonics skills. This course is a pre-requisite for tutors/paraprofessionals to provide meaningful intervention and tutoring for students beginning to learn to read (K-2) and for struggling readers. Participants receive a copy of the book: Parareading: A Training Guide for Tutors which is a supplement to the LETRS training program for teachers.

Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension
Pre-requisite: Foundations of Literacy - Phonics.
These sessions provide paraprofessionals and tutors with knowledge of how students develop
reading fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. Participants learn practical strategies for developing these vital components of reading and supporting classroom instruction.

Audience: Tutors/Paraprofessionals working with beginning readers in grades K-2 and struggling readers 5-8

Evidence Base for Training:
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.(2000). Report of the National Reading Panel. Teaching children to read: An evidence-based assessment of the scientific research literature on reading and its implications for reading instruction (NIH Publication No. 00-4769). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. The training fulfills the legislative requirements of No Child Left Behind which requires that tutors and paraprofessionals receive training to support the application of scientifically researched principles of reading instruction.

Participant Outcomes:

Explain the five components of reading (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension)
Use systematic practices to support the teaching/learning of these components

Expected Student Achievement Outcomes:

Increased student achievement in reading

Recipe for Reading, grades K-3

Brief Description:
Prerequisite: LETRS for Paraprofessionals and Tutors: Foundations of Literacy - Phonics.
This is advanced, intensive training in providing explicit, systematic instruction in phonemic awareness and phonics for students who have reading difficulties. Participants learn multisensory methods of introducing and reinforcing concepts and skills. Each participant receives a kit complete with the Orton Gillingham-based manual Recipe for Reading, small group sets of decodable books, drill cards and skill booklets, student materials, and record-keeping forms.

Coaching: Participants receive four follow-up coaching visits to assure appropriate implementation of the program.

Audience: Tutors/paraprofessionals who work with a small group of three-four students in grades K-3 for 30-40 minutes at least two days/week.

Evidence Base for Training:
Training is based on recomendation of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.(2000). Report of the National Reading Panel. The training fulfills the legislative requirements of No Child Left Behind which requires that tutors and paraprofessionals receive training to support the application of scientifically researched principles of reading instruction.

Participant Outcomes:

Implement explicit, systematic instruction in phonemic awareness and phonics

Expected Student Achievement Outcomes:

Increased student phonemic awareness and ability to decode words

Strategic Reading across the Content Areas, grades 4-12

Brief Description: Participants will analyze a variety of textbooks to learn how text is organized and how they can help students learn from texts more effectively and efficiently. They will identify characteristics of successful vs. struggling readers, focusing on techniques to move moving students toward reading independence. Finally participants will learn a variety of note-taking strategies which will assist students in all content areas as well as specific strategies for working with students in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.

Audience: Tutors/paraprofessionals working with students in grades 4-12

Participant Outcomes:

Use effective strategies for teaching students to read their textbooks, increase comprehension, develop vocabulary, and approach learning tasks across every content area

Expected Student Achievement Outcomes:

Increased student achievement in content areas