Paraprofessionals are non-certificated individuals who are employed by this district to support educational programming. Paraprofessionals employed by this school district must work under the direct supervision of a properly certificated staff member for the areas in which they are providing support. Paraprofessionals cannot serve as the teacher of record and may not provide direct instruction to a student unless the paraprofessional is working under the direct supervision of a teacher. In order to serve as an instructional paraprofessional in this school district, individuals must meet the requirements set forth below.
Individuals who do not meet the qualification requirements will be considered school or classroom aides. In addition, individuals who have only non-instructional duties (such as providing technical support for computers, providing personal care services, or performing clerical duties) do not need to meet the qualification requirements set forth in this policy.
Duties of paraprofessionals include, but are not limited to, one-on-one tutoring; assisting in classroom management; assisting in computer instruction; conducting parent involvement activities; providing instructional support in a library or media center; acting as a translator in instructional matters; and providing instructional support services.
QUALIFICATIONS OF INSTRUCTIONAL PARAPROFESSIONALS
Every instructional paraprofessional hired by the district must have a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED) and:
- Demonstrate through a state board approved academic assessment knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing or preparing students to be instructed as applicable to the academic areas they are providing support in; or
- Have completed at least two (2) years of study at an accredited postsecondary educational institution; or
- Obtained an associate’s or higher postsecondary degree.
The district will train all paraprofessionals based on Idaho paraprofessional standards adopted by the State Department of Education.
EXCEPTIONS
A paraprofessional does not need to meet the qualification requirements if the individual (1) is proficient in English and a language other than English and acts as a translator to enhance the participation of limited English proficient students; or (2) has instructional support duties that consist solely of conducting parental involvement activities.
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LEGAL REFERENCE:
34 CFR 200.58 – Qualifications of Paraprofessionals
IDAPA 08.02.02.007.10 – Paraprofessional Definition
ADOPTED: October 18, 2023
AMENDED: