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Teacher Aides

(D.O.T.  099.327; 219.467; 249.367-074, -086)

Nature of the Work

Teacher aides, also called paraprofessionals or paraeducators,
provide instructional and clerical support for classroom teachers,
allowing teachers more time for lesson planning and teaching.  Aides
assist and supervise students in the classroom, cafeteria,
schoolyard, or on field trips.  They record grades, set up
equipment, or help prepare materials for instruction.  They also
tutor and assist children in learning class material.

   Aides' responsibilities vary greatly.  Some teacher aides just
handle routine nonteaching and clerical tasks.  They grade tests and
papers, check homework, keep health and attendance records, type,
file, and duplicate materials.  They also may stock supplies,
operate audiovisual equipment, and keep classroom equipment in
order.

   Other aides instruct children, under the direction and guidance of
teachers.  They work with students individually or in small groups
listening while students read, reviewing or reinforcing class work,
or helping them find information for reports.  They may supervise
independent study or help students in vocational or work-study
programs find jobs.  Teacher aides also may provide personal
attention to at-risk students those whose families live in poverty,
for example or students with special needs those who speak English
as a second language, for example.  Aides help assess a student's
progress by observing a student's performance and recording relevant
data.

   Many aides have a combination of instructional and clerical duties,
designed to most effectively assist classroom teachers.  Sometimes,
aides take charge of special projects and prepare equipment or
exhibits for a science demonstration, for example.

   Job openings for teacher aides should be plentiful.

Working Conditions

About half of all teacher aides work part time during the school
year.  Most aides who provide educational instruction work the
traditional 9- to 10-month school year, usually in a classroom
setting.  Aides also may work outdoors supervising recess when
weather allows, and spend much of their time standing, walking, or
kneeling.  Seeing students develop and gain appreciation of the joy
of learning can be very rewarding.  However, working closely with
students can be both physically and emotionally tiring.

Employment

Teacher aides held about 885,000 jobs in 1992.  About 8 out of 10
worked in elementary and secondary schools, mostly in the lower
grades.  A significant number assisted special education teachers in
working with children who have disabilities.  Most of the others
worked in child daycare centers and religious organizations.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

Educational requirements for teacher aides range from a high school
diploma to some college training.  Those aides with teaching
responsibilities usually require more training than those who don't
have teaching tasks.  Increasingly, employers prefer aides who have
some college training.  Many schools require previous experience in
working with children.

   A number of 2-year and community colleges offer associate degree
programs that prepare graduates to work as teacher aides.  However,
most teacher aides receive on-the-job training.  Aides who tutor
and review lessons with students must have a thorough understanding
of class materials and instructional methods, and must be familiar
with the organization and operation of a school.  Aides also must
know how to operate audiovisual equipment, keep records, and prepare
instructional materials.

   Teacher aides should enjoy working with children and be able to
handle classroom situations with fairness and patience.  Aides also
must demonstrate initiative and a willingness to follow a teacher's
directions.  They must have good oral and writing skills and be able
to communicate effectively with students and teachers.  Some aides
must be able to speak a second language to help children whose
primary language is not English.  Clerical and computer skills also
may be necessary.

   Some States have established certification and training requirements
for general teacher aides.  To qualify, an individual may need a
high school diploma or general equivalency degree (G.E.D.), or even
some college training.

   Advancement for teacher aides, usually in the form of higher
earnings or increased responsibility, comes primarily with
experience or additional education.  Some school districts provide
time away from the job so that aides may take college courses.
Aides who earn bachelor's degrees may become certified teachers.

Job Outlook

Employment of teacher aides is expected to grow much faster than the
average for all occupations through the year 2005.  The increasing
number of special education classes, restructuring of schools, and
the rising number of students who speak English as a second language
will spur rapid growth of teacher aides.  Numerous job openings also
will arise as workers transfer to other occupations or leave the
labor force for family responsibilities, to return to school, or for
other reasons characteristic of occupations that require limited
formal education and offer relatively low pay.

   Since many teacher aides work in special education, a field that is
expected to experience rapid growth through the year 2005, strong
demand is expected for teacher aides.  The number of special
education programs is rising in response to Federal legislation
which mandates appropriate education for all children with
disabilities.  Children with special needs require much personal
attention, and special education teachers rely heavily on teacher
aides.

   In addition, school reforms which call for more individual
instruction should further enhance employment opportunities for
teacher aides.  More paraprofessionals are being employed to provide
students with the personal instruction and remedial education they
need; most students greatly benefit from additional attention,
individual instruction, and positive feedback.

   Teacher aide employment is sensitive to changes in State and local
expenditures for education.  Pressures on education budgets are
greater in some States and localities than in others.  A number of
teacher aide positions, such as Head Start assistant teachers, are
financed through Federal programs, which also may be affected by
budget constraints.

Earnings

According to the National Survey of Salaries and Wages in Public
Schools, conducted by the Educational Research Service, aides
involved in teaching activities averaged $8.31 an hour in 1992-93;
those performing only nonteaching activities averaged $7.82 an hour.
Earnings varied by region, work experience, and academic
qualifications.  Many aides are covered by collective bargaining
agreements and have benefits similar to those of the teachers in
their schools.

Related Occupations

Teacher aides who instruct children have duties similar to those of
preschool, elementary, and secondary school teachers and librarians.
However, teacher aides do not have the same level of responsibility
or training.  The support activities of teacher aides and their
educational backgrounds are similar to those of child-care workers,
family daycare providers, library technicians, and library
assistants.

Sources of Additional Information

   Information on teacher aides and on a wide range of
education-related subjects, including teacher aide unionization, can
be obtained from:

   American Federation of Teachers, Organizing Department, 555 New
Jersey Ave.  NW., Washington, DC 20001.

   For information on a career as a teacher aide in special education,
contact:

   National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals in Special Education,
25 West 43rd St., Room 620, New York, NY 10036.

   School superintendents and State departments of education can
provide details about employment requirements.