No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB)
Main NCLB NYS
Field Memo
#03-2003
Cover Letter
Table of Contents
Introduction
Part A: General Information
Part B: Definition of a
"Qualified" Title I Paraprofessional
Part C: Two Years of Study Option
Part D: Associate's Degree Option
Part E: Assessment Option
Part F: Applying Requirements for Title I
Paraprofessionals to Specific Circumstances
Part G: Funding to Help Paraprofessionals
Become Qualified
Part H: Accountability and Reporting
Appendix A
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Part B
Definition of a “Qualified” Title I
Paraprofessional
| B1. |
What is the definition of a “qualified” Title I
paraprofessional?
To be “qualified,” Title I paraprofessionals,
regardless of their hiring date or their specific duties, must
have a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent when they
are hired. This includes Title I paraprofessionals who serve only
as translators or who only conduct parental involvement
activities. This requirement has been in effect since January 8,
2002. [34 CFR 200.58(b)]
The Commissioner's Regulations require all certified
teaching assistants, regardless of the NCLB, to have a high
school diploma or a recognized equivalent. [8 NYCRR
80-5.6]
In addition to having a high school diploma or a recognized
equivalent, Title I paraprofessionals must meet one of the
following requirements. They must:
- have completed “two years of study at an
institution of higher education;” or
- have obtained an associate's or higher degree;
or
- have met a rigorous standard of quality and demonstrated,
through a formal State or local academic assessment, knowledge of
and the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing and
mathematics (or, as appropriate, reading readiness, writing
readiness and mathematics readiness). [34 CFR 200.58(c), (d)
and (e)]
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| B2. |
What are the NCLB's requirements for Title I
paraprofessionals who serve
as translators or who conduct parental involvement activities?
Title I paraprofessionals whose sole duties consist of serving as
translators or conducting parental involvement activities must
have a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent when they
are hired. They are, however, exempted from meeting the
additional educational or assessment requirements. [34 CFR
200.58(b) and (e)]
- To qualify for the translator exemption, a Title I
paraprofessional must be proficient in English and a language
other than English and have duties that consist solely of
providing services primarily to enhance the participation of
limited English proficient children in Title I programs. [34
CFR200.58(e)(1)]
- To qualify for the parental involvement exemption, a Title I
paraprofessional must have instructional support duties that
consist solely of conducting parental involvement activities.
[34 CFR 200.58(e)(2)]
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| B3. |
Are existing State-certified, tenured teaching assistants
“ qualified” under the NCLB?
Under New York State policy, teaching assistants who are
State-certified and have achieved tenure in a review conducted in
accordance with Education Law sections 2509(2), 3012(2) or 2573
have met the NCLB's criteria for the assessment option as
described in E1.
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| B4. |
Are existing New York City Title I paraprofessionals
“qualified” under the NCLB?
Existing New York City paraprofessionals who hold a high
school diploma and who have received an evaluation as set forth
in Article 24 of the United Federation of Teachers –
Para-Professional Contract, where such evaluation is determined
by the Chancellor to have met the standards for the local
assessment option, as described in Item E1, have met the NCLB
criteria. Existing New York City paraprofessionals who hold a
high school diploma may also be qualified through other
evaluative processes that meet the requirements for the local
assessment option.
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