Professional Standards & Ethics Flashcards

During a team meeting, a paraprofessional is asked to share observations about a student's progress. The paraprofessional should:

Answer: Provide objective, factual observations based on direct experience with the student

Paraprofessionals contribute valuable observational data to the team, but must remain objective and factual without overstepping into diagnostic roles.

A paraprofessional is instructed by a supervising teacher to use a specific strategy with a student, but believes a different strategy would work better. The paraprofessional should:

Answer: Follow the teacher's instruction and share their perspective professionally after the lesson

Paraprofessionals follow the teacher's instructional lead and share professional input through appropriate dialogue, not unilateral changes.

Which of the following best illustrates the ethical principle of 'non-maleficence' for a paraprofessional?

Answer: Avoiding actions that could physically or emotionally harm a student

Non-maleficence means 'do no harm'—paraprofessionals must ensure their actions and words do not injure students physically or emotionally.

A paraprofessional who witnesses suspected child abuse by a family member is required by law to:

Answer: Report the suspicion to the appropriate authority as a mandated reporter

In most U.S. states, school paraprofessionals are mandated reporters and legally required to report suspected child abuse to child protective services or law enforcement.

A paraprofessional uses social media to post a photo from a class activity that includes identifiable students. This action:

Answer: Violates student privacy rights and school social media policies

Posting identifiable images of students on social media violates FERPA and most school social media policies without explicit consent.

Which scenario best demonstrates a paraprofessional maintaining appropriate professional communication?

Answer: Emailing the supervising teacher with a concern about a student's behavior log

Professional communication channels, such as email to the supervising teacher, maintain appropriate boundaries and documentation standards.

A student with an IEP refuses to use a mandated assistive technology device in class. The paraprofessional should:

Answer: Encourage use of the device and report the refusal to the supervising teacher

The paraprofessional should gently encourage IEP compliance and report refusals to the teacher, who can involve the IEP team if needed.