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Paraprofessionals

Requirements for Paraprofessionals

According to 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:

  1. At least two years of study (60 semester hours) at an accredited institution of higher education; or

  2. An associate's degree (or higher); or

  3. An approved state or local academic assessment that measures the paraprofessional's knowledge of and ability to assist in instruction at the appropriate level. Paraprofessionals may meet the assessment requirement by passing the ParaPro Assessment (ETS.org). The minimum passing score on this test is 456.

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