HIGHLY QUALIFIED
PARAEDUCATOR REQUIREMENTS
 
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) includes higher standards that teachers and paraeducators must meet in order to ensure that the students needing the most help are taught by highly qualified people. Properly trained paraeducators can play important roles in Title I schools where they can magnify and reinforce a teacher’s effect in the classroom. 
 
NCLB requires paraeducators in Title I schools meet the requirements by the end of the 2005-06 school year.  Some districts in HPEC have Title I schools.  Please check with school administrators to see if your school is considered a Title I school.
 
High Plains Educational Cooperative supports paraeducators interested in meeting highly qualified standards.
 
Highly Qualified Paraeducator Requirements
 
Paraeducators must meet the following requirements:
Have a high school diploma or a GED and
Complete 48 hours at an institution of higher education OR
Obtain an associate’s (or higher) degree OR
Pass a State approved assessment that assesses the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics (or reading, writing, mathematics readiness).
 
The Kansas State Board of Education approved the following assessments and established passing scores for each:
ParaPro Assessment by Educational Testing Services (ETS). One assessment includes reading, writing and mathematics. The passing score is 455 points. Individuals may register and receive additional information on the ETS website: www.ets.org.
 
ParaEducator Learning Network by Master Teacher, Inc. There are two assessments; both must be passed to meet the requirements:
Assessment 1 Reading, Writing and Math:  Instructional Support (65% to pass) and
Assessment 2 Reading, Writing and Math:  Knowledge and Application (70% to pass).
Information is on the ParaEducator website: www.paraeducator.net.
 
WorkKeys by ACT, Inc.  There are three assessments and an observation survey that must be taken and passed:
Reading for Information (Level 4 score to pass)
Applied Mathematics (Level 4 score to pass)
Writing (either writing assessment is acceptable; Level 3 to pass); and
Instructional Support Inventory (ISI) (150 points to pass).
      Information is on the WorkKeys website: www.act.org/workkeys
 
 
High Plains Educational Cooperative supports the No Child Left Behind Act through educational training.  Paraeducators who have an interest in becoming highly qualified through the assessment procedure may complete the para assessments available through the ParaEducator Learning Network system.  This system has two online tests that must be proctored by a supervisor.  Access may be gained by contacting the HPEC Central Office.  Passing scores are set at the state level at 65% on the Instructional Assessment and 70% on the Application Assessment.  In order to be considered highly qualified, both cut scores must be satisfied.  Paraeducators receiving a passing score on both tests will be awarded 20 staff development hours.
 
The ParaEducator Learning Network can be found on-line at www.paraeducator.net.  You must register at this site to access the network and assessment.  Steps for registering are:
  1. Click on the register button and follow the instructions.  The register button is on the right side of the screen, three inches below the large “enter”.  Important:  Remember your Username and Password.
  2. Enter the authorization code (can be obtained by calling High Plains Education).
  3. Enter your username in the “username” box.
  4. Enter your password in the “password” box.
  5. Click the login button.