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| ESEA | ESPecially for You | Good Teaching |
| Parents' Place | Education Policies & Trends |
Paraprofessional Quality:
ESEA's requirement that Title I paraeducators
be "highly qualified" and what this means in Colorado NEW: Paraprofessional "Highly Qualified" Standards ESEA outlines new requirements for paraprofessionals (paraeducators) in Title I funded positions. It creates Highly Qualified standards that they must meet in order to be employed in such positions. In the past, Title I funded paraprofessionals were only required to have a high school diploma and there were no limits on their duties. Under ESEA, Title I paraprofessionals must have completed at least two years of college OR earned an associate's degree (or higher degree) OR be a high school graduate who can demonstrate on a formal state or local assessment the skills necessary to assist in the classroom instruction of reading, writing, and mathematics. School districts have the responsibility to develop and implement the "assessment" (third option for Title I paraprofessionals). We will provide additional information about how districts are implementing the assessment option.
Current ParaprofessionalsParaprofessionals hired before January 8, 2002, and already working in programs supported by Title I funds have until January 8, 2006 to fulfill one of the three requirements above.New ParaprofessionalsNewly hired paraprofessionals (after January 8, 2002) who work in Title I programs have to meet one of the three requirements in order to be hired.The Highly Qualified requirement applies to all paraprofessionals who have instructional or classroom duties – but it does not apply to any paraprofessionals who act primarily as translators or who are involved solely in conducting parent involvement activities. The law prohibits schools from requiring Title I paraeducators to provide instruction without the direct supervision of a teacher. It also lists specific "allowable duties" that include: one-on-one tutoring scheduled during the regular day when regular instruction is given; assisting with classroom management such as organization instructional materials; assisting in a computer lab; conducting parent involvement activities; providing support in a library or media center; act as a translator. Title I paraprofessionals may perform certain functions outside of those listed above for the benefit of all students, such as lunch room, playground, or study hall monitoring. However, the portion of their time they spend on these general duties may not exceed that of non-Title I paraprofessionals at the same school. Under ESEA, any district that gets Title I funds may use them to support ongoing professional development (training, workshops, etc.) that helps paraprofessionals satisfy the education requirements under the law.
Take NEA's online quiz
to see if you meet ESEA's requirements as a Highly Qualified Paraprofessional
Other ESEA Paraprofessional Quality LinksCDE Guidelines for Paraeducators |