“I am not a caregiver!” Experiences and Views of Paraprofessionals about Their Roles and Responsibilities

Abstract

The inclusion of paraprofessionals in education is a new topic discussed in Türkiye. The roles and responsibilities of paraprofessionals vary depending on the school and class, and in some cases, there are differences in the job descriptions of paraprofessionals even working in the same school. In Türkiye, there is a lack of legal regulations concerning the involvement of paraprofessionals in inclusive classrooms. This study was considered necessary with the objective of offering valuable insights to decision makers, administrators, practitioners, and academicians in order to develop job descriptions for paraprofessionals, establish employment conditions, define their qualifications, design educational content, and plan legal regulations related to these processes. In this study, the experience and opinions of paraprofessionals were examined, and recommendations were made accordingly. A phenomenological design was used in this study, and semi-structured interviews were held with 15 paraprofessionals working in the field of special education. Four themes emerged from the data analysis: (a) preservice, (b) experience and views about roles and responsibilities, (c) needs, and (d) recommendations. The findings highlighted the importance of clarifying the roles and responsibilities of paraprofessionals. In addition, the importance of providing professionals with training, employment, and job security was emphasized.