Section 4.04.220. Paraprofessional standards.

	(a)  The content, knowledge, disposition, and performance standards for paraprofessionals as set out in the document titled Alaska State Paraprofessional Performance Standards, as revised as of November 2003, are adopted by reference.  
	(b)  Each district shall ensure that all paraprofessionals employed by the district who work in a program that receives funding under 20 U.S.C. 6301 - 6339 (Part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act) have earned a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent.  
	(c)  Except as provided in (e) of this section, and in addition to the requirement of (b) of this section, each district shall ensure that a paraprofessional hired after June 10, 2004, who works in a program that receives funding under 20 U.S.C. 6301 - 6339 (Part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act), has met at least one of the following requirements:  
		(1) completed at least two years, or 48 semester hours or equivalent, of study at a regionally accredited institution of higher education;  
		(2) obtained an associate's or higher degree at a regionally accredited institution of higher education;  
		(3) demonstrated, through a formal assessment under (f) of this section, that the paraprofessional has met, at an entry level or above, the instructional content/assisting practice standards set out in Alaska State Paraprofessional Performance Standards, adopted by reference in (a) of this section.  
	(d)  Except as provided in (e) of this section, after June 30, 2006, each district shall ensure that all paraprofessionals employed by the district who work in a program that receives funding under 20 U.S.C. 6301 - 6339 (Part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act) meet at least one of the three requirements in (c) of this section.  
	(e)  A paraprofessional is not required to meet the requirements of (c) or (d) of this section if the paraprofessional  
		(1) acts as a translator to enhance the participation of limited English proficient children;  
		(2) has instructional-support duties that consist solely of conducting parental involvement activities; or  
		(3) has only non-instructional duties, including providing technical support for computers, providing personal care duties, or performing clerical duties.  
	(f)  The formal assessment of a paraprofessional under (c)(3) of this section shall be administered by the district that employs the paraprofessional. The formal assessment must consist of  
		(1) the ParaPro Assessment, published by Educational Testing Service; and  
		(2) observation and interviews by district personnel qualified to evaluate the paraprofessional.  
	(g)  To demonstrate that the paraprofessional has met the requirements of (c)(3) of this section, a paraprofessional must  
		(1) achieve a score of at least 459 on the ParaPro Assessment described in (f)(1) of this section; and  
		(2) show, through the observations and interviews described in (f)(2) of this section, that the paraprofessional has mastered all entry level requirements of the instructional content/assisting practice content standard set out in Alaska State Paraprofessional Performance Standards, adopted by reference in (a) of this section.  

Authorities

14.07.060;14.50.080

Notes

Authority

AS 14.07.060 AS 14.50.080 Editor's note: The Alaska State Paraprofessional Performance Standards, adopted by reference in 4 AAC 04.220, and information on the ParaPro Assessment may be obtained by writing to the Department of Education and Early Development, 801 W. 10th Street, Suite 200, P.O. Box 110500, Juneau, Alaska 99811-0500.

History

Eff. 6/10/2004, Register 170; am 5/18/2006, Register 178; am 2/28/2010, Register 193

References

4.04.220