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The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act established new educational requirements for paraprofessionals. All paraprofessionals who work in a program that receives Title I funds and who provide instructional support (including support for special-needs students in schoolwide projects) must meet the new requirements. (Paraprofessionals whose only responsibility is the personal care of students, who act primarily as a translator, or whose duties consist solely of conducting parental involvement activities are exempt from these requirements.) To meet the requirements, a paraprofessional must:
- Pass a state or local assessment designed to demonstrate knowledge of and the ability to assist in instruction of reading, writing, and math or reading readiness; or
- Complete the equivalent of two years of study (as defined by the state) at an institution of higher education; or
- Hold a two-year degree (or higher).
Paraprofessionals working at the time the law was enacted (Jan. 8, 2002) had until the end of the 2005/2006 school year to meet this requirement (the original deadline of Jan. 8, 2006, was extended by the Department of Education in late June 2005). Anyone hired after Jan. 8, 2002, should have met the requirements at the time of employment.
The American Federation of Teachers is a leading champion of high standards and certification for paraprofessionals. There is much in this law that promotes those goals. As a result of AFT's legislative efforts, NCLB defines the type of work that can be assigned to paraprofessionals, requires the use of Title I funds to assist paraprofessionals in meeting the requirements, and requires the inclusion of paraprofessionals in professional development opportunities.
Since 2002, the AFT worked diligently at the local, state, and national levels to help members meet the requirements of NCLB and to ensure that these provisions are fairly applied. The AFT assisted local unions by:
- Monitoring and disseminating state plans pertaining to paraprofessional requirements. The options, training and assistance available to paraprofessionals vary widely among states.
- Making available the AFT Educational Research and Dissemination (ER&D) training program for paraprofessionals and working with states to ensure that the program satisfies state NCLB requirements.
The AFT is currently working to finalize recommendations for the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind.
