President Bush signed the Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA) into law on January 8, 2002. The new ESEA requirements will be applied to all Tacoma School District Para-educators who assist in the instruction of students. Effective immediately any new Para-educator hire who's job description indicates assisting with instruction shall meet or exceed ESEA standards.
Current Para-educators hired prior to January 8, 2002 will have until the last day of school for the 2005-06 school year to meet the new ESEA standards.
Para-educators hired or re-hired after January 8, 2002 in Title I school wide programs (who provide assistance with instruction) must meet the ESEA requirements at the time of hire.
I. Required qualifications for Para-educators hired on or after January 8, 2002:
- 2 years of college with official transcript(s); or
- AA Degree or higher; or
- Pass state test to demonstrate knowledge and ability to assist in instructing, reading writing and mathematics, or appropriate reading readiness, writing readiness and mathematics readiness
II. All para-educators who provide, or job descriptions say they will provide assistance in instructional areas are required to meet ESEA standards.
For more information, go to: http://www.tacoma.k12.wa.us/distinfo/nclb.asp