Scenario-Based Paraprofessional Training Questions

Scenario 1: The Teacher is Busy A student begins ripping their paper while the teacher is working with another group. What is the best response?

• Ignore the behavior until the teacher can intervene.

• Raise your voice to get the student's attention and stop the behavior.

• Calmly intervene using the student's BIP strategies and notify the teacher afterward.

• Remove the student from the classroom immediately without notifying the teacher.

A student tells you, 'You're not my teacher!' after a redirection. What should you do?

• Tell the student they must still listen to you because you are in charge.

• Calmly remind them you are there to support them and the teacher, then redirect.

• Walk away and ignore the student's comment.

• Tell the teacher to deal with the student later.

Scenario 3: What to Record? You are asked to collect data but are unsure of what to record. What should you do?

• Guess based on what you think is important.

• Record everything the student does.

• Ask the teacher for clarification and follow their directions exactly.

• Only record negative behaviors.

A student constantly seeks your help before trying independently. What should you do?

• Complete the task for the student to reduce frustration.

• Ignore the student so they will try on their own.

• Use prompts and wait time to encourage independence before offering help.

• Tell the teacher the student isn’t capable of working alone.

A parent asks why a student receives extra help. What is the best response?

• Share basic information since they already noticed.

• Say, 'I'm not allowed to share information about other students.'

• Redirect the question to another paraprofessional.

• Tell them the student has an IEP but not to tell anyone else.

Scenario 6: Behavior Escalation A student begins yelling and disrupting class. What is your next step?

• Follow the student's BIP and calmly respond.

• Physically remove the student immediately.

• Send another student to get the teacher.

• Yell to get the student's attention and stop the behavior.

Scenario 7: Social Isolation A student you support only interacts with adults during lunch. What should you do?

• Sit with the student every day to keep them company.

• Encourage and support peer interactions in natural settings.

• Tell them they need to find their own friends.

• Report the issue to the principal.

A teacher assumes you will reteach a lesson but has not provided materials. What should you do?

• Make up your own lesson to reteach the content.

• Wait to be told exactly what to do.

• Ask the teacher for clarification on what support is expected.

• Do nothing and let the student work independently.

You are assigned to a classroom but have not been given clear instructions about what you should be doing. What is the best response?

• Wait and do nothing until someone gives you directions.

• Leave the classroom and report to the office.

• Ask the teacher for guidance on how you can best support the students.

• Begin helping any student you see struggling, even without direction.

Scenario 10: IEP Implementation You are asked to assist with a student’s accommodations listed in their IEP. What must be true for this to be appropriate?

• You understand the IEP requirements and are working under a certified teacher's supervision.

• You decide what works best for the student based on your experience.

• You provide accommodations when the teacher is absent only.

• You implement any strategy that helps the student, regardless of the IEP.