A paraprofessional should work under the direction of:

• A. Teacher and appropriate service providers.
• B. Principal only.
• C. The school nurse.
• D. The janitor.

Answer: (A)

Paraprofessionals in special education work under the direction and supervision of licensed staff who design and oversee the instructional plan. The teacher is the primary instructional leader in the classroom, coordinating activities and goals, while appropriate service providers (such as a speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, or other specialists) guide specific services or adaptations for students with IEPs. This collaborative direction ensures that supports align with each student’s goals and the overall program.

The principal oversees administration, not the day-to-day instructional direction of individual students. The school nurse handles health-related tasks, not instructional supervision for paraeducators. The janitor has no role in directing classroom instruction. So the best guidance comes from the teacher and the appropriate service providers.