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Region 15 Education Service Center

Paraprofessionals

 

Kids Running at School

 

Every learner deserves our best, and paraprofessionals play an important role in education.

A paraprofessional is an employee of a local education agency who provides instructional support.

Duties of a paraprofessional may include:

  • providing one-on-one tutoring if such tutoring is scheduled at a time when a student would not otherwise receive instruction from a teacher;
  • assisting with classroom management, such as by organizing instructional materials;
  • providing instructional assistance in a computer laboratory;
  • conducting parental involvement activities;
  • providing instructional support in a library or media center;
  • acting as a translator; or
  • providing instructional support services under the direct supervision of a highly qualified teacher (Title I, Section 1119(g)(2)).

 

Requirements

FEDERAL

Paraprofessionals in the state of Texas who are paid from Title I are required to meet two separate requirements. The first must be done prior to being paid from Title I funding and is a federal requirement.

The Region 15 Online Academy  meets the Federal requirements from ESSA:

Prior to providing services, Title I, Part A paraprofessionals must have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and meet one of the following requirements:

  1. Complete at least two years of study at an institution of higher education (defined as completion of 48 semester hours or equivalent trimester hours) of college coursework or an applicable number of semester hours as defined by the institution of higher education attended, whichever is less;
  2. Possess an associate (or higher) degree; or
  3. Meet a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate, through a local academic assessment (the Region 15 Academy)—
  • Knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics; or
  • Knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness, as appropriate.

Districts may opt to use our Online Paraprofessional Academy to meet the rigorous standard of quality listed above. Check Workshops to locate the most current online session.

STATE

(TEAL) Additionally, within one year of being hired, Title I, Part A paraprofessionals must have the Educational Aide state certification. This is a state requirement and is not associated with the above certificate from Region 15.

Applying for an Education Aide certificate for state requirements:
Once you have been advised to do so by your employing school district, you will need to set up your online TEAL and ECOS accounts. Once logged into ECOS, you would select the Applications tab and then Educational Aide Certificate and follow the prompts to apply and pay the fee. For step-by-step instructions, please view the Applying for Educational Aide Certificate document

Your employing school district will need to recommend your ECOS application to be issued by TEA. As part of that recommendation, they will enter if you are eligible to be an Educational Aide I, II or III. For any questions regarding your recommendation for certificationplease contact your employing school district

EXPIRED/RENEWAL: Effective 09/01/2017, Educational Aide certificates are issued for a two year validity period. After the certificate expires, individuals must reapply for a new Education Aide certificate. The school district must recommend for an Education Aide certificate that has expired or to obtain a higher level.