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.
Paraprofessional / Aide in context
Paraprofessional / Aide comes up across the IEP process — in your IEP document, during meeting prep, and in the federal rights that protect your child. Rules and timelines can also vary by state — find your state's parent training centers and dispute options in our State IEP Guides.
If this term affects your child's annual goals, test whether they are measurable using our free IEP Goal Checker or follow our step-by-step IEP Annual Review Checklist.
Related Terms
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.
Related Services
Additional support services your child needs to benefit from special education. Common examples include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, transportation, and assistive technology.
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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.