NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND (NCLB) ACT
    Requirements for Paraprofessionals Title I, Part A
     
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    ALL paraprofessionals
    , regardless of hiring date, in a Title I schoolwide program or in
    a targeted assistance program who are paid with Title I funds, must have a secondary
    school diploma or its equivalent. Paraprofessionals with instructional support duties
    have additional requirements as shown below.
     
    Any paraprofessional with instructional support services duties
    in a Title I
    schoolwide program or in a targeted assistance program who is paid with Title I Funds
    must meet the Paraprofessional Qualification Requirements by the following timelines.
     
    New
     
    paraprofessionals
    with
    instructional support duties hired
    after January 8, 2002
    , must meet one
    of the Paraprofessional Qualification
    Requirements when hired.
    Existing
     
    paraprofessionals
    with
    instructional support duties hired
    before or
    on January 8, 2002
    , must meet one of the
    Paraprofessional Qualification Requirements
    no later than January 8, 2006.
     
     
    Title I Paraprofessional Qualification Requirements
    One of the following requirements must be met:
    1.
    An associate’s or higher degree,
    2.
    Two years of study at an institution of higher education,
    OR
     
    3.
    A rigorous standard of quality and be able to demonstrate on a formal state or local
    academic assessment, knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing
    A. Reading/language arts, writing, and mathematics, or as appropriate,
    B. Reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness.
     
    Paraprofessionals may provide instructional support services only when working
    under the “direct supervision” of a highly qualified teacher.
    Under "direct supervision" is met if:
    •
     
    •
     
    •
     
    the teacher plans the paraprofessional’s instructional support duties,
    the teacher evaluates the achievement of the students with whom the paraprofessional
    works,
    AND
     
    the paraprofessional works in close proximity to the teacher and has frequent contact with
    the teacher.
     
    Paraprofessionals who work solely in non-instructional roles are not required to
    meet one of the qualification requirements shown above but must have a
    secondary school diploma or its equivalent.
    Non-instructional roles may include, but are not limited to:
    Personal
    care
    services
    Clerical
    duties
    Parental involvement activities
      
      
    Non-instructional computer assistance
    Food
    service
    Non-instructional
    media
    center/library
    supervision
    Playground/cafeteria supervision
      
    Translators (not providing instructional support)
    November 2002

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