WASHINGTON STATEParaeducators are an important and

recognized member of the education team

WORKSHOP ANSWERS

What are we doing

How did it get started

What is the current status

Next steps

WHAT ARE WE DOING

Professionalize paraeducator profession by mandating state-wide

standards, training, and recognition of instructional role

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

HOW IT GOT STARTED

Took advantage of state’s embarrassment over not closing the

“achievement / opportunity gap”

ACHIEVEMENT / OPPORTUNITY GAP

Show sample chart of gap

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

JANUARY 2013 PARAEDUCATOR

SURVEY – 1,034 RESPONSES

11-18-13 PARAEDUCATOR SURVEY – 304 RESPONSES

COALITION EFFORT

Parents (including PTA)

One America

Equity in Education organizations

Education reform advocates

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

COMPOSITION OF WORKGROUP

Superintendents

University and community college representatives

Teachers

Principals

Program administrators

Paraeducators

Parents

OneAmerica

Equity in education coalition

TOO MUCH WORK

Subcommittees on each subject area

Composition similar to workgroup with 10-12 members each

REPORT

13 recommendations to the legislature

180 page report

http://www.pesb.wa.gov/home/para-work-group

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

RECOMMENDATION 7

Expand and enhance the high school to paraeducator to teacher pathway through implementation grants to high schools

targeting students of color.

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

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

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

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

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

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

2015 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Implementation bill working its way

through the legislative process

Senate passed 45-3

House vote Wednesday 90-8

Negotiating differences

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

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

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