Requirements for Teacher Assistants

What are the qualification requirements for Title I paraprofessionals/teacher assistants?

1. All Title I paraprofessionals / teacher assistants must have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent.
2. Additionally, except as noted below, paraprofessionals / teacher assistants hired after January 8, 2002, and working in a program supported with Title I, Part A funds must have:
   • Completed two years of study at an institution of higher education; (the equivalent of 48 semester hours) or
   • Obtained an associate’s (or higher) degree; or
   • Met a rigorous standard of quality and be able to demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment, knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics (or, as appropriate, reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness).
   • Note: This option may be met through the WorkKeys Occupational Profile Assessment for Teacher Assistants.
3. Paraprofessionals who only serve as translators or who only conduct parental involvement activities must have a secondary school diploma or its equivalent but do not have to meet the additional requirements.
   • Note: According to local guidelines, all EC Teacher Assistants in all schools must meet highly qualified standards as listed above.