Paraprofessional Database Research Navigator MS Word PDF - No Child Left Behind outlined a set of federal standards for paraprofessionals with classroom instructional duties in the nation’s highest-poverty schools. All 50 states are working toward meeting – and some states are even exceeding – the federal qualification requirements for paraprofessionals. This issue brief presents research from each of the 50 states regarding paraprofessional certification and qualification requirements, professional development for paraprofessionals and percentages of paraprofessionals who are considered highly qualified. (Angela Baber, Education Commission of the States, September 2005)...

Professional Development for Paraprofessionals Across the States MS Word PDF - Professional development has come to the forefront of the paraprofessional occupation with new requirements and timelines for “highly qualified” status under No Child Left Behind. In addition to passing a formal evaluation of knowledge, the requirements for higher education have created the opportunity for states to establish partnerships with higher education communities, set up multi-tiered certification, use online education systems and develop methods for paraprofessionals to reach full teaching licensure. These trends in professional development are highlighted in the this paper. (Kelsey Campbell, Education Commission of the States, August 2005)...