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Qualifications and Duties of Paraprofessionals

The following qualifications for paraprofessionals working in Title I programs and permissible duties are set forth in Section 1119, subsections (c) through (g), of the ESEA of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act, P.L. 107-110.

Special Education Paraprofessionals employed before 6/30/05 have until July 1, 2007 to meet the 30 hours requirement.

All instructional paraprofessionals hired after 1/8/2002 in special education programs supported by Title 1 funds must be Highly Qualified.  All non-instructional Special Education Paraprofessionals need 30 hours beginning July 1, 2005 (new hires).

Jan 8, 2006, all existing Title 1 paraprofessionals must be "Highly Qualified"

Qualifications

Paraprofessionals working in Title I programs hired after the effective date of the ACt (January 8, 2002) shall have:

  • Completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education;
  • Obtained an associate's (or higher) degree; or
  • Met a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate, through a formal State or local academic assessment - (1) knowledge of, and the ability to assist in the instruction of reading, writing and mathematics; or (2) knowledge of, and the ability to assist in the instruction of, reading readiness, writing readiness and mathematics readiness, as appropriate.  Paraprofessionals qualifying under this criterion must have a secondary school diploma or its equivalent, but the receipt of a high school diploma is not sufficient to satisfy the requirements for meeting this standard.

 

Existing paraprofessionals hired before January 8, 2002 and working in Title I programs have 4 years (until January 8, 2006) to meet the foregoing qualifications.  Title I paraprofessionals who serve primarily as translators or who solely conduct parental involvement activities, regardless of hiring date, are exempt from these qualifications.

All paraprofessionals working in Title I programs, regardless of hiring date, must have earned a secondary school diploma or its equivalent.

 

Duties

Paraprofessionals working in Title I programs may be assigned to:

  • 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;
  • Conduct parental involvement activities;
  • Provide support in a library or media center;
  • Act as a translator; or
  • Provide instructional services, while working under the direct supervision of a teacher.