Arkansas

Department of Education

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Paraprofessional

Compliance with NCLB

• Paraprofessionals and Highly Qualified Teachers
• Paraprofessionals and Highly Qualified Teachers
• This site clearly defines the NCLB, 2004 requirements for paraprofessionals. Section 1119 (c) and (d) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act requires each local education agency to ensure that all paraprofessionals working in programs supported with Title I, Part A funds have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and meet one of the three following criteria:
  • Completed two years of study at an institution of higher education or
  • Obtained an associate's (or higher) degree or
  • Met a rigorous standard of quality and be able to demonstrate, through a formal State or local academic assessment, knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics (or, as appropriate, reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness).
• Paraprofessional Compliance Report
• In Arkansas, principals at each school site must attest annually that all paraprofessionals working in programs supported by Title I, Part A funds are highly qualified. To show evidence that paraprofessionals meet highly-qualified mandates, local education agencies via their schools' principals are required to submit one of the following pieces of evidence for each Title I paraprofessional:
  • A copy of a college transcript showing that the paraprofessional completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education by acquiring at least 60 credit hours; or
  • A copy of a college transcript showing that the paraprofessional was awarded an Associate's degree or higher; or
  • A copy of the score report from the ETS Parapro Assessment showing that the paraprofessional passed with a score of 457 or higher; or
  • A copy of an Arkansas teacher's license.
• Rules Governing Public School Student Services, October, 2012
  • Amended Student Services Rule October 2012
  • This policy mandates individual school districts to develop and implement a plan for providing student services to all students. Paraprofessionals are to be included in the personnel professional development that presents this plan to those involved.
• Arkansas Department of Education Arkansas Comprehensive School Improvement Planning (ACSIP) Handbook
  • School Improvement-DLS-acsip Handbook 11-12 080311
  • Title I Targeted Assistance Requirements for Paraprofessionals
    • Opportunities for professional development should be provided with Title I resources, and, to the extent practicable, from other sources, for teachers, principals and paraprofessionals, including, if appropriate, pupil services personnel, parents and other staff, who work with participating children in programs under Title I or in the regular education program (pages 77-79).
  • Title II, Part A
    • For districts receiving these funds, districts must give a description of how they will coordinate professional development activities to meet the needs of principals, teachers and paraprofessionals with other federal, state and local programs (pages 26-28).
• Paraprofessionals with an Arkansas Teacher's License
  • ADE Professional Development Rules - April 2012
  • Educator - any individual holding a license issued by the State Board of Education must complete sixty (60) hours of approved professional development each year.

Standards to Measure Professional Growth of Paraprofessionals

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A System to Certify Paraeducators Beyond NCLB Mandated Expectations

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Resource Guide to Assist Local Agencies in Supervision of Paraeducators

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Standards to Measure the Professional Growth of Supervisors

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Document Previewed by Latanya L. Fanion, Public School Program Advisor, Federal Programs Division of Learning Services, Arkansas Department of Education, November 2, 2012