Parent Advisory Council R-SEPAC

C. Responsibilities of Instructional Paraprofessionals Section 1119 (g) of ESEA specifies that instructional paraprofessionals may engage in the following activities:

•Provide one-on-one tutoring for eligible students, if the tutoring is scheduled at a time when a student would not otherwise receive instruction from a teacher

•Assist with classroom management, such as organizing instructional and other materials

•Provide assistance in a computer laboratory

•Provide support in a library or media center

•Provide instructional services to students under direct supervision of a teacher All instructional paraprofessionals must be supervised directly by teachers; instructional paraprofessionals cannot be supervised by peers.

D. Required Qualifications, Skills and Knowledge Instructional paraprofessionals must possess specific skills and knowledge in reading, writing, mathematics and instruction to be considered qualified to practice. To demonstrate proficiency in these areas, federal law requires instructional paraprofessionals to have: (1)earned a high school diploma or its equivalent (e.g., the GED); and (2)earned an associate's (or higher) degree; or one of the following:

•completed at least two years, or 48 hours, of study at an institution of higher education; or

•taken and passed a formal assessment measuring one's knowledge of and ability to assist classroom teachers in reading, writing, and mathematics. These two requirements apply to all instructional paraprofessionals (including special needs aides and tutors) carrying out instructional duties in a school-wide program, without regard to whether the position is funded with Federal, State, or local funds. In a school-wide program, Title I funds support all teachers and paraprofessionals, by definition. In a targeted assistance program, moreover, any instructional paraprofessional who is paid for with Title I funds, must also meet the new standard. Again, this applies to special needs aides and tutors if their positions are wholly or partially funded by Title I dollars. Two categories of paraprofessionals exempted from these requirements are:

•Paraprofessionals in Title I programs who serve primarily as translators (as long as these paraprofessionals are proficient in English and a language other than English); and

•Paraprofessionals working solely on parental involvement activities.

E. Timelines for Meeting Paraprofessional Standards Instructional paraprofessionals hired before January 8, 2002 have until January 8, 2006 to meet federal requirements listed above. Instructional paraprofessionals hired after January 8, 2002 must meet both conditions as an immediate prerequisite of employment. Stated differently, after January 8, 2002, no instructional paraprofessional who will be employed in a Title I targeted assistance or school-wide program may be hired unless he/she meets the new federal standard for Title I paraprofessionals.