Making Paraeducators a Respected Profession in your State- One State's Efforts
1 like566 views
The document outlines the professionalization of paraeducators in Washington state, aiming to establish state-wide standards and training to support their instructional roles. It summarizes the legislative efforts, recommendations for certification, and professional development to enhance the effectiveness of paraeducators. Key initiatives include creating a paraeducator oversight committee, implementing a certificate renewal process, and establishing career ladder opportunities to improve the education system and address achievement gaps.
Making Paraeducators a Respected Profession in your State- One State's Efforts
- 1. WASHINGTON STATE Paraeducators are an important and recognized member of the education team
- 2. WORKSHOP ANSWERS What are we doing How did it get started What is the current status Next steps
- 3. WHAT ARE WE DOING Professionalize paraeducator profession by mandating state-wide standards, training, and recognition of instructional role
- 4. IMPLEMENT PARAEDUCATOR REFORMS State-wide standards for ELL (English Language Learners) and LAP/Title I Paraeducators Special education and general education next year Professional development to reach the standards Establish State-wide career ladder Reduce obstructions to teacher certification Professional development for teachers and principals who supervise and evaluate a Paraeducator
- 5. HOW IT GOT STARTED Took advantage of state’s embarrassment over not closing the “achievement / opportunity gap”
- 6. ACHIEVEMENT / OPPORTUNITY GAP Show sample chart of gap
- 7. PARAEDUCATOR ROLE State and federal programs to reduce gap Title I & Learning Assistance Program - $450 million per year 476,714 Title I / LAP Eligible Students English language learner programs - $160 million per year 108,379 Ell / TBIP Eligible 56% of hours of instruction provided by Paraeducators
- 10. JANUARY 2013 PARAEDUCATOR SURVEY – 1,034 RESPONSES
- 12. 11-18-13 PARAEDUCATOR SURVEY – 304 RESPONSES
- 13. COALITION EFFORT Parents (including PTA) One America Equity in Education organizations Education reform advocates
- 14. 2014 LEGISLATIVE SESSION Passed bill that established a workgroup to make recommendations on five subject areas Minimum employment standards for ELL / LAP / Title I Professional development Career ladder Identify and reduce obstructions to teacher certification Training teachers and principals
- 15. COMPOSITION OF WORKGROUP Superintendents University and community college representatives Teachers Principals Program administrators Paraeducators Parents OneAmerica Equity in education coalition
- 16. TOO MUCH WORK Subcommittees on each subject area Composition similar to workgroup with 10-12 members each
- 17. REPORT 13 recommendations to the legislature 180 page report http://www.pesb.wa.gov/home/para-work-group
- 18. RECOMMENDATION 1 Paraeducator Employment Standard English Language Learners, Transitional Bilingual Instructional Programs, Federal Limited English Proficiency, Title I and Learning Assistance Program Support instructional opportunities Demonstrate professionalism and ethical practices Support a positive and safe learning environment Communicate effectively and participate in the team process
- 19. RECOMMENDATION 1 - CONTINUED ELL Endorsement Transitional Bilingual Instructional Program Federal Limited English Proficiency classrooms settings Schools serve an increasingly diverse population of ELL Paras assist in student content comprehension through specific instructional strategies It is important to be trained through a specialized set of ELL knowledge and skills Adopt a standard definition of a “paraeducator”. “Para” means “alongside” A paraeducator is a school employee who works under the supervision of a certificated/licensed staff member to support and assist in providing instructional and other services to children and youth and their families.
- 20. RECOMMENDATION 2 Establish a Paraeducator Oversight Committee or Board to provide guidance and leadership and for the implementation of the new system. Duties are: Policy Making Program Implementation Advocacy Advising Capacity
- 21. RECOMMENDATION 3 Implement Paraeducator Employment Standards and Certificate Process over five years. Year One Establish Year Two Implementation of Pilot Phase Year Three Gradual Phase in Year Four Final Phase In Year Five Full Implementation
- 22. RECOMMENDATION 4 Implement certificate renewal process and support paraeducators’ continued professional development that requires the completion of 75 – 100 approved clock hours every five years. Ensures paraeducators are continually mastering necessary skills for improved job performance. Allows school districts to provide training to meet district specific requirements. Provides opportunities for teachers and paraeducators to attend training together for joint clock hour or credits. Recognizes paraeducators as professionals consistently trying to improve.
- 23. RECOMMENDATION 5 Establish a Paraeducator Certificate with multiple endorsements as Career Ladder opportunities. Ensures paraeducators have completed coursework and met the required skill level needed to support and assist teachers. Certification establishes clear distinctions in the roles and levels of responsibilities Provides opportunities for upward mobility through endorsements Required endorsements in ELL and Special Education provides necessary training to meet the demands of specialized instructional support Continued renewal process helps ensure students are served by an appropriately prepared paraeducator workforce
- 24. RECOMMENDATION 6 Establish an Advanced Paraeducator Endorsement as a Career Ladder opportunity. Support and retain highly-qualified and experienced employees Expand paraeducators' current duties to include mentoring and coaching other paraeducators Provide highly-impacted classrooms with specialized paraeducators possessing advanced instructional skills in reading, math, science, and technology. Increase job satisfaction and improve professionalism
- 25. RECOMMENDATION 7 Expand and enhance the high school to paraeducator to teacher pathway through implementation grants to high schools targeting students of color.
- 26. RECOMMENDATION 8 Establish three regional grants to expand and enhance current Alternate Routes to Certification to meet teacher shortage in hard to fill areas. Paraeducators are already in the system Paraeducators already know what it’s like to work in the classroom Paraeducators already have a passion for teaching
- 27. RECOMMENDATION 9 Incorporate appropriate and effective use of paraeducators into the knowledge and skill standards required of teacher and principal/administrator preparation programs and into the career benchmarks for teacher and principal continuing education. Ensures that candidate teacher, principal and administrator programs provide understanding and demonstration of: Preparation, training and instruction of paraeducators Legal, ethical and effective supervision, hiring and employment of paraeducators Effective communication and feedback with and development of paraeducators
- 28. RECOMMENDATION 10 Create and fund statewide professional development for current paraeducators, teachers, principals, and administrators. Provides 4 learning modules for teachers Provides 7 learning modules for principals
- 29. RECOMMENDATION 11 Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA) would develop and recommend a “model paraeducator policy” that promotes clarity and understanding of the new standards and certification requirements. School Districts would then review, modify, and adopt as necessary. Ensure support and clarity of paraeducator roles Ensure best practices are being followed Reduce potential for litigation
- 30. RECOMMENDATION 12 Pilot a BAS degree program leading to teacher certification in Elementary Education and English Language Learners or Special Education Addresses disparities in teaching Provides better accessibility Addresses para to teacher pipeline Aligns work group mandate for a career ladder Provides financial incentives Develops programs needed in local communities
- 31. RECOMMENDATION 13 Community and technical colleges will offer transferrable credit to the Paraeducator Certificate and Apprenticeship Programs and align to new Paraeducator Employment Standards. Ensures valid, reliable, and accessible options for coursework Ensures the coursework meets employment standards Ensures the credits are transferable toward a teaching certificate
- 32. 2015 LEGISLATIVE SESSION Implementation bill working its way through the legislative process Senate passed 45-3 House vote Wednesday 90-8 Negotiating differences
- 33. WHAT DOES IT DO Senate bill 6 member paraeducator board to oversee implementation Implements state-wide standards 2 years of pilot projects Starting September 1, 2017 Paraeducators in ELL and Title I / LAP programs will have 3 years to get their paraeducator certificate Paraeducators in ELL will have to get a special endorsement in 3 years
- 34. WHAT DOES IT DO – CONTINUED PESB (Professional educator standards board) will design training standards for teachers and principals Community and technical colleges will re-design their paraeducator certificate to meet the new training requirements $1.7 million provided to get it started Timing is right since school districts are getting approximately $21 million for teacher and paraeducator professional development – a $6 million increase this year
- 35. NEXT STEPS Implement Board, standards, and endorsements for ELL & LAP / Title I – including pilot programs Advisory Group on Special Education and General Education paraeducator standards done by January 2016 Expect legislation in 2016 legislative session to implement recommendations