Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network Update on Requirements for Paraprofessionals and the PA Credential of Competency A Webinar for Administrators, Supervisors and Paraprofessionals in PA

PaTTAN’s Mission The Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, working in partnership with families and local education agencies, to support programs and services to improve student learning and achievement.

PDE’s Commitment to Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Our goal for each child is to ensure IEP teams begin with the general education setting with the use of supplementary aids and services before considering a more restrictive environment.

Agenda Regulations Regarding Paraprofessionals Credential of Competency Training Options for Paraprofesssionals

Regulations Regarding Paraprofessionals  NCLB required Title I paraprofessionals to be qualified.  IDEA 2004 and implementing regulations of 2006 required special education paraprofessionals to meet state requirements.  PA State Board of Education included standards for special education paraprofessionals in state regulations effective July 1, 2008.

Chapter 14 Requirements Defines paraprofessional –Instructional and Personal Care Assistants Requirements –Instructional: Qualifications & 20 hours annually of professional development One way is a State or Local assessment (credential) –PCAs: 20 hours annually of professional development

NCLB and Chapter 14 NCLB Section 1119 (c)Chapter a Each LEA shall ensure that all paraprofessionals hired after 2002 and working in a program supported with Title I funds shall have — Instructional paraprofessionals shall meet one of the following qualifications effective July 1, 2010: (A) completed at least 2 years of study at an institution of higher education; (i) Have completed at least 2 years of postsecondary study. (B) obtained an associate's (or higher) degree; or(ii) Possess an associate degree or higher. (C) met a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate, through a formal State or local academic assessment. (iii) Meet a rigorous standard of quality as demonstrated through a State or local assessment.

Personnel: Paraprofessionals Instructional Paraprofessionals A school employee who works under the direction of a certified staff member to support and assist in providing instructional programs and services to children with disabilities or eligible young children.

Instructional Paraprofessionals (cont.) Such support and assistance includes one-to-one or group review of material taught by certificated staff, classroom management and implementation of positive behavior support plans. Services may be provided in a special education class, regular education class, or other instructional setting as provided in the student’s IEP.

Instructional Paraprofessionals Effective July 1, 2010 must I.Have completed at least two years of postsecondary study OR II.Possess an associate degree or higher OR III.Meet a rigorous standard of quality as demonstrated through a State or local assessment.

Continuing Staff Development Beginning with the school year, each school year, paraprofessionals must provide evidence of 20 hours of staff development activities related to their assignment.

Personal Care Assistants Provide one-to-one support and assistance to a student, including support and assistance in the use of medical equipment (e.g. augmentative communications devices; activities of daily living; and monitoring health and behavior). May provide support to more than one student, but not at the same time.

PCA Staff Development Beginning with the school year, each school year, PCA’s must provide evidence of 20 hours of staff development activities related to their assignment. This may include training required by the school-based Access program.

Credential of Competency One way for LEAs to prove qualified status

Credential of Competency Order folders at

Special Education Paraprofessional Credential of Competency Credential available through the PA Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education 10 Paraeducator Standards for Practice have been established in PA Essential skills and knowledge have been identified within each standard Credential is RECOMMENDED as the “State Assessment”.

Competency Assessment Checklist Means of documenting competencies required for paraprofessional Credential Supervisor verifies achievement of items on the checklist Once all competencies are achieved, paraprofessional may apply for the credential

Standards for Practice 1.Foundations of Special Education 2.Development & Characteristics of Learners 3. Individual Learning Differences 4. Instructional Strategies 5. Learning Environments and Social Interactions

Standards for Practice 6.Language 7.Instructional Planning 8. Assessment 9.Professional and Ethical Practice 10. Collaboration

Competency Assessment Checklist Each standard has a separate page that includes: Checklist of essential knowledge and skill competencies applicable to that standard Method used to achieve competency Level achieved for each competency Date achieved/supervisor certification

Achieving Competencies Knowledge and skills may be achieved at one of these levels: Entry Intermediate Advanced

Achieving Competencies Competencies may be achieved through one of four methods: Class/In-service Training Interview Observation/Demonstration Portfolio

Class/In-service Training Paraprofessional has documented attendance and met requirements of the class/in-service training approved by district/IU Entry - successfully completed the course and/or training Intermediate - action plan developed for application in job situations Advanced - action plan implemented and submitted to supervisor for review

Interview When interviewed by the supervisor, paraprofessional responds to questions related to knowledge and skill competencies Entry - describes basic knowledge and skills with limited evidence of application Intermediate - describes application of knowledge and skill competencies in job situations Advanced - describes application of knowledge and skill competencies to job situation and describes how adaptations could be created to meet student needs

Class Observation/Demonstration When observed by the supervisor in the classroom or a simulated situation, paraprofessional employs knowledge and skill competencies Entry - performs job duties using basic knowledge & skills requiring some coaching to apply in job situations Intermediate - sometimes applies knowledge & skill competencies while performing duties in job situations Advanced - consistently applies knowledge & skills and adapts to meet student needs across all educational settings

Portfolio Paraprofessional submits to supervisor a predetermined collection of products related to the knowledge and skill competencies Entry - products meet minimum of predetermined requirements reflecting basic understanding of knowledge and skill competencies with limited application Intermediate - products meet predetermined requirements and include examples of application of knowledge and skill competencies to job situations Advanced - products exceed predetermined requirements and include examples of application and adaptation of knowledge and skill competencies to job situations

Note! Not all of the skill and knowledge areas can be achieved by attending classes. Some must be demonstrated within your work setting.

Example The following need to be demonstrated: S1 Use strategies, equipment, materials, and technologies, as directed, to accomplish instructional objectives S2 Use strategies as directed to facilitate effective integration into various settings

Paraprofessional Initiative Credentials issued by PDE on completion of Competency Assessment Checklist

Training Plan- Current Focus After-school VC series Online course aligned to the ten Competency Standards Summer series Supervisor training - webinar and VC

On-Line Course

Training Materials For Your Use Training materials from most training sessions available for use by IU’s and Districts to train paraprofessionals in-house –PPT slides –PPT with notes for trainers –Activity Packets Visit click paraeducators, then click training materialswww.pattan.net

Contact Information Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Edward G. Rendell, Governor Pennsylvania Department of Education Gerald L. Zahorchak, D.Ed., Secretary Diane Castelbuono, Deputy Secretary Office of Elementary and Secondary Education John J. Tommasini, Director Bureau of Special Education Patricia Hozella, Assistant Director Bureau of Special Education Jennifer Goldbloom, PaTTAN Monica Maiese, PaTTAN