HIGHLY QUALIFIED PARAEDUCATOR REQUIREMENTS
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) includes higher standards that teachers and paraeducators must meet in order to ensure that the students needing the most help are taught by highly qualified people. Properly trained paraeducators can play important roles in Title I schools where they can magnify and reinforce a teacher’s effect in the classroom. NCLB requires paraeducators in school wide Title I buildings meet the requirements by the end of the 2005-06 school year. Some districts in HPEC have Title I schools. Please check with school administrators to see if your school is considered a Title I school. High Plains Educational Cooperative supports paraeducators interested in meeting highly qualified standards. Highly Qualified Paraeducator Requirements Paraeducators must meet the following requirements: Have a high school diploma or a GED and Complete 48 hours at an institution of higher education OR Obtain an associate’s (or higher) degree OR Pass a State approved assessment that assesses the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics (or reading, writing, mathematics readiness). The Kansas State Board of Education approved the following assessments and established passing scores for each: ParaPro Assessment by Educational Testing Services (ETS). One assessment includes reading, writing and mathematics. The passing score is 455 points. Individuals may register and receive additional information on the ETS website: www.ets.org. WorkKeys by ACT, Inc. There are three assessments and an observation survey that must be taken and passed: Reading for Information (Level 4 score to pass) Applied Mathematics (Level 4 score to pass) Writing (either writing assessment is acceptable; Level 3 to pass); and Instructional Support Inventory (ISI) (150 points to pass). Information is on the WorkKeys website: www.act.org/workkeys High Plains Educational Cooperative supports the No Child Left Behind Act through educational training. Paraeducators who have an interest in becoming highly qualified through the assessment procedure may complete the ParaPro Assessment through ETS. Paraeducators receiving a passing score of 455 will be awarded 20 staff development hours. You can prepare for the exam by reviewing a study guide available through HPEC's Media Center. You can also download ETS's ParaPro Assessment Test at a Glance. Paraeducators must take the test at HPEC central office in Ulysses. Paras will be paid their hourly rate for their time. No mileage will be reimbursed. There is a cost of $55 to take the test. Paras will be reimbursed the cost of the test if passed.