Paraprofessionals must meet qualified status

Paraprofessionals working in a program supported by Title I Part A funds must be “qualified” under the provisions of No Child Left Behind by Jan. 8, 2006. They may meet this requirement in one of three ways:

• Earning an associate’s degree or higher
• Earning a minimum of 48 college credits
• Passing the designated state test

The Department of Education is granting certificates once paraprofessionals have achieved the “qualified” status. Data on paraprofessionals is gathered via the Personal Record Form (PRF) system, where you will see listed only those paraprofessionals that are currently working in a Title I program. 

If you have paraprofessionals that are NOT working in a Title I program but have completed the requirements, or, if they achieve this status after the PRF data collection is complete, you will need to submit their names for certificates to be awarded. Please send this information to Nicole Kranzler at nicole.kranzler@state.sd.us. For questions, contact Nicole at (605) 773-3426.

Additional information regarding paraprofessionals, including the ParaPro test, can be found at: www.state.sd.us/deca/OPA/ParaproCertification/parapro.htm