Dimensions of the paraeducator experiencefacilitating the inclusion of children with identified special education needs in general education classes: a dissertation

352 Pages·1996·5.3 MB·English

by  Riggs, Cathryn Griswold

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DIMENSIONS OFTHEPARAEDUCATOR EXPERIENCE
FACIUTATING THEINCLUSION OFCHILDREN WITH IDENTIRED SPECIAL
EDUCATION NEEDS IN GENERALEDUCATION CLASSES
A DISSERTATION
Submitted by
CATHRYN GRISWOLD RIGGS
In partial fulfillment of the requirements
for thedegree of
DoctorofPhilosophy
LESLEY COLLEGEGRADUATESCHOOL
May 1996

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I am thankful forthe assistance ofthemembers ofmydoctoral committeeat Lesley College
in completing this project.
Dr. Debora Sherman, my senior advisor, who followed my progress from
beginning to end, and whose questioning and insight forced me to grow in
my thinking and developas a studentand researcher.
Dr. Anne Larkin, whose pragmatic j^jproach and constant good humor encouraged
me to keep focused, and whose knowledge of special education
enhanced my study,
Anna Lou Pickett, Directorofthe National Resource Centerfor Paraprofessionals
in Education and Related Services, whose expertise in the field of
paraprofessionals contributed greatly to my knowledge, and whose
friendship I will always treasure,
and for the support ofthe friends and colleagues whoencouraged me throughout the
process.
The inspiration for this project came from the many paraeducators who through their work
have shown a stong commitment to improving the lives ofchildren. I am indebted to the
paraeducators who generously shared their stories with me to make the project a reality.
am especially grateful forthe love and supportofmy family,
I
George, Jeffrey, andRebecca Riggs
who helped me to keep everything in proper perspective. We laughed, learned, loved, and
most importantly, lived. Without them everything would be meaningless.