New Para Handbook: Roles, Confidentiality + IEP Basics, Grades 6-12

This para handbook covers the operations side of the job on a secondary SPED or transition team: roles, confidentiality, IEP basics in plain language, supporting without taking over, community and job sites, and communication with the lead teacher.

Why I made this: New paras usually get a stack of forms and a quick tour. What they need is a clear picture of who does what, what to keep private, what an IEP actually says, and when to check with the teacher. I wrote this for the first week, to read together with the lead teacher, so expectations are clear from day one.

What's included:

• Cover and lead teacher how-to page

• Who does what on a secondary and transition team

• What paras do and what goes to the teacher

• Confidentiality: okay and not okay

• What to say when someone asks about a student

• The parts of an IEP in plain language

• Accommodations or modifications

• Related services and transition services

• Supporting instruction without taking over

• Community and job sites: before, during, and after

• Communication with the lead teacher

• First-week operations checklist

• My team and my questions page

How I use it: Fill in the building blanks before day one. Read it together in 20 to 30 minutes on day one or two. Come back to the IEP pages once the para has met the students. Keep it at the para station. It has no student information in it.

Who it is for: secondary SPED teachers, case managers, transition coordinators, and paras on grades 6 to 12 and 18-21 transition teams.

What you download: one printable PDF, 14 pages, US Letter, with write-on lines and tables.

Real buildings vary. Fill in your own names, dates, and local rules. Always follow your state and district policies.

Written by Jeremy D. Gooch, a teacher with 20+ years in education. All names and initials in examples are made up.