Paraprofessional Roles & Boundaries in Special Education: What Federal Law Requires

Paraprofessionals change lives—but confusion about their role can lead to serious violations. In this training, Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, explains exactly what federal law requires so teams can support students properly and protect FAPE. What you’ll learn: • Why paras must work under the direct supervision of a certified teacher • How to identify when districts are using paras in place of special educators • What to ask at IEP meetings to verify who is delivering services and how minutes are implemented • Practical boundaries: data collection, accommodations, medical tasks, inclusion support, pullout, ISS, homebound Referenced federal sources: • IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) – 34 CFR Part B: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34...) • ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act, 2015): https://www.everystudentsucceedsact.org (https://www.everystudentsucceedsact.o...) • No Child Left Behind (historical context): https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-c... (https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-c...) • OSEP (Office of Special Education Programs): https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/o... (https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/o...) Next steps: • Join The Academy for 250+ hours of training and weekly updates: https://www.skool.com/special-educati... (https://www.skool.com/special-educati...) • Questions or training requests: [email protected] “When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/2464872/su...) ✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨ 👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence. 👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy (https://academy.specialeducationacade...) First month free, after that, cancel anytime.  📱 Follow Karen on: • TikTok (  / specialeducationboss  ) & Instagram: @specialeducationboss • YouTube: Special Education Academy (   / specialeducationacademy  ) 🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence. 📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.) Because when...