Overview for Paras and ESEA

    The Elementary Secondary Education Act (ESEA) first passed in federal legislation in 1965.  This provides funding that we commonly refer to as Title I and Title II, etc.  It must be re-authorized periodically.  As recently as January 8, 2002 Congress did re-authorize this legislation in what has become known as the No Child Left Behind Act ... or simply No Child Left Behind.

    In the most sweeping legislation to come down the pike for schools and school personnel, the statute includes school improvement, corrective action and restructuring for schools not meeting specific levels.  Additionally, there are teacher quality requirements and Title I paraprofessional quality requirements that change the employment picture substantially.  This affects Indiana paras more than teachers since Indiana has state legislation that already addressed teacher quality to the level required by the federal legislation. 

    This affects only paras hired before January 8, 2002.  All paras hired after that date can be hired only if they already have met the requirements.  Paras hired prior to January 8, 2002, have until January 8, 2006 to meet one of the three options for meeting the requirements.

Options for Requirements:  Title I Paraprofessionals must

1. complete at least two years of study at an institution of higher education or
2. obtain an Associate of Arts (AA) or higher degree or
3. meet a rigorous standard of quality where they can demonstrate their knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics, or demonstrate knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing reading readiness, writing readiness and mathematics readiness through a formal state or local academic assessment.

*** Already in statute from the 1994 reauthorization of ESEA is the provision that Title I paraprofessionals must have a high school diploma or its equivalency.

Resources

Credit hours, usually a total of 60-credit hours, is equivalent to two years of college.  These hours can be taken traditionally at a college or university; many other professional development opportunities, such as some AFT ER&D (Educational Research and Dissemination) workshops, are offered for credit.  To see how ER&D is the "perfect fit" follow this link to the AFT's ESEA page, then scroll down to ESEA-ER&D: A Perfect Fit and click!

The Indiana Dept. of Education along with the Indiana Professional Standards Board has decided to use Educational Testing Services ParaPro Assessment as the state assessment tool.  It costs $40*** to take this test.  As of this date, Indiana has not set a passing score.  Indiana and Illinois test sites can be accessed through the ParaPro link above.  The next test date is September 13.  You must be properly registered in advance to take the test.

*** ESEA provides that a certain percentage of the funding can and should be used for professional development costs.  Discuss with your local union if it can negotiate that certain fees can be paid for out of this money.

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