Guidelines for ParaProfessional 1

 

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NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND (NCLB) REQUIREMENTS FOR PARAPROFESSIONALS


The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001 made significant changes in educational programs to improve student achievement. The changes include requirements and timelines for paraprofessionals who provide instructional support services.

Miami Dade County Public Schools has required that all paraprofessionals who provide instructional support services must comply with the NCLB qualification requirement and become Highly Qualified.

In order for Paraprofessionals to become Highly Qualified, one of the following requirements must be met:
1. An associate’s or higher degree.
2. Two year of study at an institution of higher education (60 credits).
3. A rigorous standard of quality and be able to demonstrate on a formal state or local academic assessment, knowledge of and ability to assist in instructing: Reading/language arts, writing, and mathematics. This third requirement can be met by participating and passing one of the following programs:
A. ETS Parapro Online Assessment
B. Education, Research and Dissemination (ER&D) classes sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). This program has three components: Reading, Mathematics and Competency 3.

All instructional paraprofessionals need to become highly qualified by the end of the current 2006-2007 school year.

We strongly suggest that instructional paraprofessionals who are not highly qualified take proactive measures and try to fulfill the NCLB requirements before the end of the current school year.