The federal law states that all paraprofessionals performing instructional duties who are funded with Title I funds, including all paraprofessionals performing instructional duties working in a Title I schoolwide building, must meet the following specific requirements:

1) Must earn a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent and have a) completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education (or 72 quarter credits); or b) obtained an associate's (or higher) degree; or c) met a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate this through a formal state or local academic assessment that measures: (1) knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics; or (2) knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness, as appropriate.

2) Paraprofessionals who are hired primarily as translators or solely to conduct family involvement activities do not need to meet the new requirements, except they must have earned a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent.

Paraprofessionals hired before January 8, 2002 had until January 8, 2006 to meet the requirements. Paraprofessionals hired after January 8, 2002 must meet the requirements when hired.  For more information, contact William Nutting, Executive Director, Personnel, 360-428-6110.