What's ahead for Paraprofessionals
under the new law?
Update:
VICTORY: Deadline for Paraprofessionals
Extended
Paraprofessionals across Missouri are concerned about how
the new federal legislation known as ESEA (Elementary and
Secondary Education Act - also known as "The No Child Left
Behind Act") will affect them.
Will I be required to have a two-year postsecondary education?
Can I lose my job if I don't meet this requirement?
Is there financial support for additional education requirements?
Do I have to go to school…can I do the work by mail
or online?
What the law says
... |
Title I-funded teacher assistants or
paraprofessionals hired after January 8, 2002, MUST
have two years of postsecondary education, or pass a
state or local assessment (testing, for example). Paraprofessionals
already working in programs supported by Title I must
meet these requirements by 2006. Some school districts
may require these criteria of all paraprofessionals.
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What MNEA is doing ... |
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
is charged with developing an assessment and determining
how the law will be applied. With over 30,000 members,
MNEA has the greatest clout and the greatest voice of
any school employee organization. MNEA is at work at
both the state and national levels in the rulemaking
process.
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What YOU can do ... |
To best represent you, MNEA needs to hear from paraprofessionals
to ensure that your questions and concerns go directly
to the table where paraprofessional assessment issues
will be decided. Please complete the ANONYMOUS survey
that follows and return it by mail or fax to Missouri
NEA at the address on the survey.
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What's next ... |
Keep checking MNEA's Web site for the latest information
on ESEA implementation as crucial details are worked
out in the coming months. And…make sure you are
a member of MNEA for your personal job protection as
the law changes your working conditions. |
Paraprofessional
Survey
Update:
VICTORY: Deadline for Paraprofessionals Extended
In a huge victory, the deadline for paraprofessionals to meet
the "highly qualified" requirements of the No Child
Left Behind Act has been extended from January 8, 2006, to
the end of the 2005-2006 school year. The extension, long
sought by NEA, was made public in a letter to Congressman
Mike Simpson (R-ID) from Deputy Secretary of Education Raymond
Simon. The letter is posted at: http://www.nea.org/esphome/para-deadline.html
As a result of the change, the timeline for paraprofessionals
working in Title I schools will be the same as that of teachers.
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