Instructional Aide vs. Paraprofessional: What Are the Differences?

Instructional aides and paraprofessionals are both support staff positions within a school setting. They work with students and teachers to provide additional assistance and instruction, but there are some key differences between the two roles. In this article, we compare and contrast instructional aides and paraprofessionals, and we provide information on job outlook and salary expectations.

What is an Instructional Aide?

Instructional Aides work under the supervision of licensed teachers to provide one-on-one or small group instruction to students in a classroom setting. They also support teachers by preparing materials, grading assignments and maintaining student records. Instructional Aides often work with students who have special needs, such as those with learning disabilities, physical disabilities or behavioral disorders. They may also work with English language learners or gifted and talented students. Instructional Aides typically have at least a high school diploma, although some positions may require postsecondary coursework or a two-year degree.

What is a Paraprofessional?

Paraprofessionals, also known as Teacher’s Aides or Paraeducators, work under the supervision of licensed teachers to provide academic, behavioral and emotional support to students. They may work with individual students or small groups within the classroom. Paraprofessionals may also be responsible for supervising students during lunch or recess, assisting with homework or providing one-on-one instruction. Many paraprofessionals have extensive experience working with students who have special needs, such as those with physical, developmental or emotional disabilities.

Instructional Aide vs. Paraprofessional

Here are the main differences between an instructional aide and a paraprofessional.

Job Duties

Instructional aides typically perform basic duties that help teachers instruct their classes. These duties may include helping students with assignments, organizing classroom materials and assisting students during class as needed. Instructional aides often work directly with students and may only assist one or two classes at a time.

Paraprofessionals typically have more extensive job responsibilities than instructional aides. Paraprofessionals may provide additional support to students after school, such as helping them study for upcoming exams or complete homework assignments. They may also provide emotional support to students by recognizing signs of bullying or abuse at home and offering counseling services. Paraprofessionals may work with multiple classrooms throughout the day and sometimes entire schools.

Job Requirements

Instructional aides typically need at least a high school diploma, although some jobs may require postsecondary education, such as an associate degree. Many instructional aides also complete on-the-job training to learn the specific skills they need for their position. For example, those who work in special education might receive training in behavior management or how to use specialized equipment.

Paraprofessionals usually need at least a high school diploma, although some jobs may require postsecondary education, such as an associate degree. Many paraprofessionals also complete on-the-job training to learn the specific skills they need for their position. For example, those who work with students who have disabilities might receive training in behavior management or how to use specialized equipment.

Work Environment

Instructional aides and paraprofessionals typically work in schools, but their job duties may differ depending on the school’s needs. Instructional aides often work with students one-on-one or in small groups to help them learn new skills and concepts. They may also assist teachers by providing additional support for students who need it. Paraprofessionals usually work in classrooms as classroom assistants, where they provide assistance to teachers and students.

Skills

Both instructional aides and paraprofessionals work with students in educational settings, such as classrooms, to provide support and assistance. They both need to have excellent communication skills to be able to effectively interact with students, teachers and parents. They also should be patient and organized, as they often are working with students who have a variety of needs.

An instructional aide typically is responsible for providing academic support to students. This can include working with students one-on-one or in small groups to help them understand concepts, assisting with lesson plans or preparing materials for class. An instructional aide may also be responsible for monitoring student behavior and helping to create a positive learning environment.

A paraprofessional typically provides more general support to students, teachers and the school. Their duties can vary depending on the needs of the school, but they often are responsible for supervising students in hallways or during lunch, providing administrative support or assisting with extracurricular activities. Paraprofessionals also may provide one-on-one or small group instruction to students, depending on the needs of the school.

Salary

Instructional aides and paraprofessionals both work in educational settings, but they have different responsibilities. Instructional aides typically earn an average salary of $34,463 per year, while paraprofessionals earn an average salary of $34,281 per year.