Paraprofessionals

Requirements for Paraprofessionals

According to the Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), all instructional paraprofessionals in Title I schools or targeted assistance programs must complete at least one of the following three requirements:

  • At least two years of study (60 semester hours) at an accredited institution of higher education; or
  • An associate's degree (or higher); or
  • An approved state or local academic assessment that measures the paraprofessional's knowledge of and ability to assist in instruction of the following subjects at the appropriate level:

    • reading, writing and mathematics; or
    • reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness.

    To meet this assessment requirement, paraprofessionals may choose one of the following state approved tests:

    • ParaPro Assessment (ETS). The minimum passing score on this test is 456.
    • WorkKeys (ACT). The following four areas are required: reading, writing, mathematics, and an inventory survey.
      The minimum passing score on the required assessments are as follows.
      Applied Mathematics - 4
      Reading for Information - 4
      Writing or Business Writing - 3
      Instructional Support Inventory - 3

Timeline for New and Veteran Paraprofessionals

All new and veteran instructional paraprofessionals in Title I schools or targeted assistance programs must have completed at least one of the above requirements. New paraprofessionals must have met the criteria prior to their date of hire. The deadline for veteran paraprofessionals to meet the requirements was the end of the school year 2005-06.

The U.S. Department of Education Non-Regulatory Guidance for Paraprofessionals provides more information for paraprofessionals and administrators. USDE Paraprofessional Guidance (updated March 2004) (74Kb PDF)

Professional Development Training and Support (exam prep)
For paraprofessionals who choose to take one of the state-approved assessments, information is available at the South Carolina Adult Education Training and Resource Center.


Additional Resources & Information

Last Updated: 09/30/2011