A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

Roles for Education Paraprofessionals in Effective Schools - 1997

Acknowledgments

This volume was planned, developed, and reviewed in close consultation with many individuals and organizations, whose significant contributions we wish to acknowledge here.

At the U.S. Department of Education, ideas, critiques, and encouragement came from Barbara Coates, the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative; Joanne Bogart, Terry Dozier, Daphne Hardcastle, William Lobosco, Colene Nelson, Valena Plisko, and Elois Scott.

Outside reviewers provided valuable insights about what this report should address and reviewed multiple drafts as critical friends. This group included: Elsa Brizzi, Los Angeles County Office of Education; Roxanne Dove, National Education Association; Loretta Johnson and Tish Olshefski, American Federation of Teachers; Ida Love, Kansas City Public Schools; Norma Lozoya and Nancy Robles Romero, Service Employees International Union; Phyllis McClure; and Anna Lou Pickett, National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals.

Very early in the process of developing the report, the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association convened focus groups of practicing paraprofessionals to inform our thinking. In addition to those listed above, among the educators who made generous contributions of time and insight were, from AFT: Dorothea Bell, Marian Ceasor, Leonard Edmonds, Vicki Holmbom, Jason Jeffras, Ann Sanford, and Shelvy Young Abrams; from NEA: Barb Auditore, Melanie Baker, Teresa Bilger, Iona Halloway, Hannah Keefe, and Nancy Tombs.

These colleagues gave us the benefit of their knowledge of the field and shared their concerns about practice, and we are grateful for their help. However, the opinions expressed herein are those of the authors.

Mary S. Leighton
Eileen O'Brien
Karen Walking Eagle
Lisa Weiner
George Wimberly
Peter Youngs
Policy Studies Associates, Inc.
Washington, D.C.
1997

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[Title page]

[Executive Summary]