Paraprofessionals in Title I Schools: Tiers for Success in Hiring Paras

By Kathy Dunn, CCOSA Director of Professional Learning for State and Federal Programs

ESSA Section 3201 (11) states, “The term paraprofessional means an individual who is employed in a preschool, elementary school, or secondary school under the supervision of a certified or licensed teacher, including individuals employed in language instruction educational programs, special education, and migrant education. Paraprofessionals who provide instructional support include those who:

■ provide one-on-one tutoring if such tutoring (under the supervision of a certified or licensed teacher) is scheduled at a time when a student would not otherwise receive instruction from a teacher

■ assist with classroom management, such as by organizing instructional materials

■ provide instructional assistance in a computer laboratory

■ conduct parental involvement activities

■ provide instructional support in a library or media center

■ act as a translator

■ provide instructional support services under the direct supervision of a certified teacher

Who are considered Paraprofessionals working in Title I schools?

What qualifications are required of Paraprofessionals working in a Title I school for Tier I credentials?

Dating back to the enactment of No Child Left Behind legislation in 2002, paraprofessionals working in a Title I school have been required to have a high school diploma or equivalent, and meet one of the following qualifications:

■ Complete 48 hours of credit or more at an institution of higher education; or

■ Have an associate degree from an institution of higher education: or

■ Meet a rigorous standard of quality and be able to demonstrate, through a formal academic assessment, knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics;

■ in Oklahoma the qualifying tests are:

the OGET (qualifying score from past assessments, no longer given); or

the ETS ParaPro (score of 455+); or

the ACT WorkKeys (score of Bronze or better).

What is the difference between Tier I and Tier II Credentials for Paraprofessionals in Oklahoma?

All paraprofessionals working in a Title I school must meet the qualifications listed above to have the Tier I credential that is required for working in a Title I school. All paraprofessionals working in Special Education programs must meet these additional training requirements for Tier II credentials:

■ OSDE special education paraprofessional training through Pepper, career technology centers or other state-approved training providers

■ Cardiovascular Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/First Aid, maintaining current certification

■ Universal Precautions/Bloodborne Pathogens yearly training

■ Six hours of professional development each year

According to Oklahoma law, all paraprofessionals must hold Tier I credentials before they are hired. For paraprofessionals working in a special education program, they may be hired with Tier I credentials, and then meet the Tier II requirements within 120 days of being hired.

Beginning July 1, 2022, any newly hired Paraprofessional must hold the official Paraprofessional Credential issued by the state of Oklahoma.

The official Oklahoma Paraprofessional Credential is initiated by a school district making the request within the Oklahoma Educator Credentialing System (OECS) located in the Single Sign-On system. Once inside the OECS, the Superintendent clicks the tab Manage Your District Requests. Once the Superintendent has initiated the process, then the Paraprofessional will complete the application for the credential which is good for lifetime certification and accepted in any district in Oklahoma. At this time, the OSDE is not sending printed copies of the credential; however, providing copies of the official credential for any Tier I or Tier II Paraprofessional will become a part of the school district’s Accreditation process during the FY23 school year. It is the district’s responsibility to print the official certificate from the same portal in the Oklahoma Educator Credentialing System. While all paras who are hired July 1, 2022 and after are required to have the official credential, any paras are encouraged to complete the credentialing process in order for their certificate to be kept in the state database and printed for personal keeping.

To celebrate your paraprofessionals’ accomplishment in meeting the qualifications, districts can print the certificates and place them in a frame or document folder to make the presentation to the paraprofessional! Recent studies* have shown that “symbolic awards — interventions such as congratulatory cards, public recognition, and certificates — can significantly increase intrinsic motivation, performance, and retention rates” of school staff members. Celebrations matter! ■

*https://hbr.org/2021/03/research-a-littlerecognition-can-provide-a-big-morale-boost