One-to-One Aide (1:1)
A dedicated paraprofessional assigned to support a single student throughout the school day. This level of support is provided when a child needs constant assistance to access their education.
Federal rule: 34 CFR § 300.42 — Supplementary aids and services
Where 1:1 shows up in your IEP
A dedicated aide is written into the supplementary aids and services section, usually as a line carrying a daily or weekly figure and the settings it covers. Check whether it says "adult support available" or names support assigned to your child, and whether lunch, recess and the bus are inside or outside that line.
What to ask at the meeting
- Which parts of the day does this cover, including lunch, recess and transitions?
- What is the aide's actual job in the classroom, minute to minute?
- Which skills are we building so this support can fade over time?
Red flags
- The line promises support available rather than support your child actually receives.
- Nothing in the document describes how the support will be reduced as skills grow.
- Support is written in for academics only, though the hardest moments happen at recess.
Example
Marcus needs an adult within arm's reach during transitions. His IEP names dedicated support for six hallway transitions a day plus lunch, with a stated aim of walking the last stretch alone by spring. By March the aide was shadowing from ten feet, and the team wrote that new distance into the plan rather than leaving it to memory.
Common questions
Can I ask for a specific person?
Staffing assignments belong to the district, so the IEP describes the support rather than the individual. What you can pin down is the amount, the settings it covers, and the training the role requires — those travel with the job when the person changes.
Will this hold my child back socially?
It can, if nobody plans for it. The usual fix is to write the fading plan in from the start and give the adult an explicit job of stepping back during peer time, so the support does not become a wall between your child and the class.
What happens when the aide is absent?
Ask for the coverage plan and ask for it in the document or the meeting notes. A support that only exists when one particular person comes to work is not a support your child can rely on.
Related Terms
Paraprofessional / Aide
A school staff member who works under the supervision of a teacher to provide additional support to students. They may help with instruction, behavior management, or personal care needs.
Individualized Education Program (IEP)
A written plan created for your child that describes their current abilities, sets learning goals, and lists the special education services they will receive. It's a legal document that the school must follow.
Want help understanding your child's IEP?
Check the Whole IEP — Free →This glossary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Definitions are simplified for parent-friendly understanding and may not reflect the full legal text. Consult a qualified attorney or advocate for advice about your specific situation.