making paraeducators a respected profession in your state- one state's efforts
TRANSCRIPT
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