Para eLink - An UPDATE
12th Annual Minnesota Paraprofessional
Conference: Tools for Making a Difference
Teri Wallace - walla001@umn.edu
Ici2.umn.edu/para
Legislation -
Special Education -
• Federal - 1997 Amendments to IDEA -
• State - MS125A.08(b)
Title I -
• Federal - No Child Left Behind Act of 2002
Legislation -
1997 Amendments to IDEA -
A State may allow paraprofessionals and
assistants who are appropriately trained
and supervised, in accordance with State
law, regulations, or written policy, in
meeting the requirements of this part to
be used to assist in the provision of
special education and related services to
children with disabilities under Part B of
the Act. [34 CFR §300.136(f)]
Legislation -
MS125A.08(b) -
(b) For paraprofessionals employed to work in programs for students
with disabilities, the school board in each district shall ensure
that --
1. Before or immediately upon employment, each
paraprofessional develops sufficient knowledge and skills
in emergency procedures, building orientation, roles and
responsibilities, confidentiality, vulnerability, and
reportability, among other things, to begin meeting the
needs of the students with whom the paraprofessional
works;
Legislation -
MS125A.08(b) - continued…
2. Annual training opportunities are available to enable the
paraprofessional to continue to further develop the
knowledge and skills that are specific to the students with
whom the paraprofessional works, including
understanding disabilities, following lesson plans, and
implementing follow-up instructional procedures and
activities; and
Legislation -
MS125A.08(b) - continued…
3. A district wide process obligates each paraprofessional to
work under the ongoing direction of a licensed teacher
and, where appropriate and possible, the supervision of a
school nurse.
Legislation -
NCLB, 2002 -
New Paraprofessionals
Each local education agency receiving
assistance under this part shall ensure
that all paraprofessionals hired after the
date of enactment of the No Child Left
Behind Act of 2001 and working in a
program supported with funds under this
part shall have --
[Title I, Section 1119/b]
Legislation -
NCLB, 2002 -
New Paraprofessionals, continued
A. Completed at least 2 years of study at an
institution of higher education;
B. Obtained an associate’s (or higher) degree; or
C. Met a rigorous standard of quality and can
demonstrate, through a formal State or local
academic assessment -
i. Knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing reading,
writing, and mathematics; or
ii. Knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing reading
readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness, as
appropriate. [Title I, Section 1119/b]
Existing paraprofessionals must meet requirements within 4 years
after enactment (by January 8, 2006)
Minnesota Paraprofessional
Requirements for meeting NCLB
NCLB requirements for paraprofessionals are met by:
A: Two years of study at an institution of higher
education; Minnesota’s standard: A minimum of 60
semester credits or the amount required to complete
two years of full time enrollment as determined by the
institution attended.
OR
B: An Associate’s degree; or
Minnesota’s standard: An AA, AS, AAS (or
higher) degree.
continued…
Minnesota Paraprofessional
Requirements for meeting NCLB
Continued…
OR
C: A demonstration, through a formal state or local
academic assessment:
a. knowledge of and the ability to assist in
instructing reading, writing and math, or
b. knowledge of and the ability to assist in
instructing reading readiness, writing
readiness and mathematics readiness as
appropriate
Minnesota Local Assessment - cont…
Minnesota’s standard:
1. A passing score on an assessment from the state
approved list
OR
2. Demonstrating all Minnesota Paraprofessional Core
Competencies (1-8) by local district validation of a
portfolio through: transferable work experience,
college courses, workshops/conferences, Para eLink
and demonstration of skill using Para eLink or a
similar curriculum that focuses on recent training
addressed in Competency 9 of Reading, Math and
Writing OR
Minnesota Local Assessment – cont…
3. a state approved local assessment. **(criteria
listed below)
The ParaPro test has been approved for statewide use. The cut
score for ParaPro is 460.
How a district can order the ParaPro test to use on site:
http://www.ets.org/parapro/ippform.html
Where a district or individual can go to take the ParaPro test in Minnesota:
http://www.ets.org/parapro/pdfs/TestCenterList.pdf
Questions may be directed to:
Diane Cirksena, Title I Area Director, 651.582.8759, Diane.cirksena@state.mn.us
or
Barbara Jo Stahl, Special Education, 651.582.8659, Barbara.stahl@state.mn.us
Minnesota Local Assessment – cont…
**Criteria for Local Assessments:
A local assessment must satisfy the following criteria, and
be submitted to MDE for approval: reliable, valid,
accessible, objective, comparable to two years of higher
education, and able to measure knowledge and ability to
assist in instructing reading, writing, and math (or
reading, writing, and math readiness) in the language of
instruction. Local Education Agencies interested in this
option may choose to explore assessments, which meet
local needs. Examples of current local choices include
“WorkKeys” and “Accuplacer.” Requests for approval of
a local assessment should be sent to the Commissioner.
A Process Using MN Tools
1. Paraprofessional and/or his/her supervisor complete the
Paraprofessional Skills Inventory to identify existing
knowledge and skills as well as gaps.
2. Paraprofessional should begin list of prior training and
experiences that align with competencies.
3. Paraprofessional begins preparation of his/her
Portfolio, which provides an avenue to show evidence
of knowledge and skills aligned with the competencies.
4. District offers and/or paraprofessional pursues
additional training (Para elink, college courses,
district workshops, etc.) needed as identified through
the skills inventory.
Paraprofessional Skills Inventory
Core Competencies
Paraprofessional Instructions -
Paraprofessional Skills Inventory
Rating Scale
Paraprofessional Skills
Inventory - Sample
What is a portfolio?
A portfolio is a systematic, organized
collection of evidence used by the
paraprofessional and those directing
the work of paraprofessionals to
monitor the growth of the
paraprofessional’s knowledge and skills
in specific competency areas.
What is the purpose of the
paraprofessional portfolio?
Directed to paraprofessionals -- The purpose of this
portfolio is to illustrate who you are now and who you want
to be as a paraprofessional. This portfolio should be a
reflection of your current and emerging self as a
paraprofessional. Each section of this portfolio should
contain entries (transcripts, certificate of participation) that
illustrate evidence of your accomplishments in designated
competency areas. A documentation sheet that explains
how the entry/activity applies to your work as a
paraprofessional should accompany each entry.
How can paraprofessionals meet
the competencies thru the portfolio?
• College Course (transcript and syllabus)
• Para eLink (documentation)
• Conference/Workshop (certificate of
participation)
• Demonstration/Skilled Competencies only
(observation/documentation)
• Transferable Work Experiences (examples
of work)
Portfolio Documentation Sheet
“Knowledge competency”
Portfolio Documentation Sheet
“Skil competency”
Para eLink offers training in each of
the nine core competency areas for
paraprofessionals established by the
Minnesota Paraprofessional
Consortium.
Run the Para eLink
Demonstration NOW
So, what has been
happening?
District driven decision to use Para eLink
Prepared trainers (Special Education and
Title I) to train facilitators across Minnesota -
currently almost 400
Regional Low Incidence Facilitators
supporting this training
Minnesota Department of Education -
contact Sharon for information on facilitator
training (sharon.ann.johnson@state.mn.us)
So, what can I do?
• Share information with school and district
leaders
– Send a letter with a copy of the materials you
received…send to more than one person
– Explain what needs would be met by…
– Offer to meet with them and show them the Para
eLink demo on the web site - ici2.umn.edu/para
• Share information with other
paraprofessionals and teachers
• Other ideas??
Questions - Discussion
Thank you for attending
today’s session.