The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) addresses educational qualifying factors for paraeducators. Specifically, all paraeducators working in a program supported with Title I-A funds must have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent.
New employees must also meet the NCLB educational requirement listed below before they are hired to provide instructional support in a program supported with Title I-A funds.
Paraeducators hired on or before January 8, 2002 and whose duties include instructional support in a program supported with Title I-A funds must also meet the NCLB educational requirement listed below by the end of the 2005-06 school year.
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Educational Requirement
Paraeducators whose duties include instructional support and who work in a program supported with Title I-A funds must meet the NCLB educational requirement through one of the following:
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).
Paraeducators in Kentucky - This technical assistance document explains the educational requirement for paraeducators as well as information about the Kentucky Paraeducator Assessment.
Kentucky Paraeducator Assessment Study Guide - This booklet is designed as a study guide for the Kentucky Paraeducator Assessment (KPA). It will provide the applicant or existing paraeducator with information about the role of the paraeducator and strategies for assisting with student instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics. Review of the guide will prepare test-takers for the KPA. Applicants and existing paraeducators should check with the district to see where and when the KPA will be administered. They should also check with the district to see if training will be provided using the KPA Study Guide.