TITLE I TEACHER ASSISTANTS

How are teacher assistants affected by NCLB?

By June 30, 2006, all instructional paraprofessionals who are paid with Title I funds must meet NCLB criteria. Schools that do not receive Title I funding are not impacted, unless the local boards of education adopt a policy setting these higher standards for all paraprofessionals. About 70 percent of our state's school systems have exercised this option.

What do paraprofessionals or teacher assistants do?

The duties of teacher assistants may include:

• Providing one-on-one tutoring for students if tutoring is provided at a time when the student does not have access to a teacher;
• Assisting with classroom management;
• Providing instructional assistance in a computer lab;
• Conducting parent involvement activities;
• Providing support in the library or media center;
• Acting as a translator; or
• Providing instructional services to a student.

What are the NCLB standards for teacher assistants?

All teacher assistants in Title I schools must have a secondary high school diploma or its equivalent and must work under the direct supervision of a teacher who meets "Highly Qualified" standards.

In addition, teacher assistants serving in Title I schools in an instructional capacity must have an associate's degree or two years (48 semester hours) of study at an institute of higher education. For teacher assistants who do not have an associate's degree or two years of study at an institution of higher education or may not be interested in pursuing either of these options, there are other assessment options, which include various combinations of staff development, community college course work, and passage of written test(s).

Are there any exceptions to the employment criteria for paraprofessionals?

Yes. A teacher assistant who is not assigned instructional duties, such as someone who primarily acts as a translator or whose duties consist solely of conducting parental involvement activities, does not have to meet the associate's degree or two years of study requirement.

When must affected teacher assistants meet these new standards?

Teacher assistants hired after Jan. 8, 2002, must meet the requirements prior to employment. For those employed before Jan. 8, 2002, requirements must be met by June 30, 2006.

What happens if someone was hired after Jan. 8, 2002, without meeting all the employment requirements?

This is not specifically addressed in the federal law, but failure to meet the criteria of the legislation can result in the loss of Title I funds for a school or district. The law is specific that the new requirements are in place immediately and are to be applied.