All support staff positions in the school system shall be established initially by the Board.
All paraprofessionals who provide instructional support for students in Title I Schoolwide Programs and Targeted Assistance Programs shall meet the qualifications set forth in federal law and regulations.
Support staff employees, unless otherwise designated by contract, shall be considered “at will” employees who serve at the pleasure of the Board.
In each case, the Board shall approve a statement of job requirements as presented by the Superintendent.
This shall be in the form of a job description setting forth the qualifications for the job, a detailed list of performance responsibilities and any required physical capabilities.
Only the Board may abolish a position that it has created.
(cf. 6159.1 – Teacher Aides)
(cf. 4222.1 – Title I Paraprofessionals)
Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. 1119(c), No Child Left Behind
34 C.F.R. 200.58, 200.59 – Federal regulations concerning paraprofessional qualifications.
Policy adopted: June 14, 2005
HAMDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Hamden, Connecticut
Personnel -- Non-Certified Title I Paraprofessionals
A Title I paraprofessional is an individual who provides instructional support for students in a Title I Schoolwide or Targeted Assistance Program, supported with Title I, Part A funds.
Title I paraprofessionals may perform the following instructional support duties:
- One-on-one tutoring for eligible students if the tutoring is scheduled at a time when the student would not ordinarily be receiving instruction from the regular teacher
- Assist in classroom management
- Conduct parent involvement activities
- Assist in computer instruction
- Provide instructional support in a library or media center
- Act as a translator
- Provide instructional support services under the direct supervision of qualified teachers
Title I paraprofessionals may assume limited non-instructional duties, even if they benefit non-Title I students, in the same proportion to their total work time as non-Title I paraprofessionals.
Title I paraprofessionals do not include individuals who have only non-instructional duties such as providing technical support for computers, providing personal care services or performing clerical duties.
Qualifications
Title I paraprofessionals, regardless of hiring date, must have earned a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent (except for those who act as translators to enhance the participation of limited English proficient students or whose activities consist solely of conducting parent involvement activities.)
Title I paraprofessionals hired after January 8, 2002 must have:
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Completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education or obtained an associate’s or higher degree; or
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Demonstrated through a formal local academic assessment the knowledge of and ability to assist in instructing, as appropriate:
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Reading/language arts, writing and mathematics; or
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Reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness
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Title I paraprofessionals hired on or before January 8, 2002 must meet the above qualifications no later than January 8, 2006. A paraprofessional who was initially hired on or before January 8, 2006, but who, because of the District’s fiscal constraints, was laid off at the end of one school year is: (choose one)
(1) considered an “existing” paraprofessional if the individual was rehired when the District recalled laid-off paraprofessionals such that the individual has continuous years of employment;
(2) considered a “new” paraprofessional if the individual did not rejoin the District when it recalled laid-off paraprofessionals if and when the individual is rehired.
In addition, if it is determined that a new paraprofessional, to be hired by the District, has met the Title I qualification requirements in another school district, that individual will be considered to have met the requirements if hired by this District.
These qualifications do not apply to paraprofessionals working in Head Start programs unless said program is jointly funded with Title I, Part A funds and the paraprofessional’s salary is paid with Title I, Part A funds.
Notice to Parents
An annual written notice shall be provided to parents of students enrolled in a Title I Schoolwide or Targeted Assistance Program telling them they may request information about any paraprofessionals who provide instructional support for their child. The notice may be combined with a notice regarding Title I teacher qualifications.
(cf. 4222 – Teacher Aides/Paraprofessionals) (cf. 6159.1 – Teacher Aides)
Legal Reference: 42 U.S.C. 653(a) Personal Responsibilities and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act
15 U.S.C. et. seq., Fair Credit Reporting Act
20U.S.C. Section1119(c),No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
20 C.F.R. 200.59 Federal Regulations
NOTE: The requirements outlined in this policy apply to all paraprofessionals who work in a school that qualifies as a Title I Schoolwide Program, whether or not their salaries are paid with Title I funds. For Targeted Assistance Programs, only those paraprofessionals who provide instructional support to students in the Title I Program are subject to the requirements.
Regulation approved: June 14, 2005
HAMDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Hamden, Connecticut
4222 FORM
HAMDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Hamden, Connecticut
Annual Notification to Parents Regarding Qualifications of Title I Teachers and Paraprofessionals
TO: [All parents of students enrolled in a Title I Schoolwide or Targeted Assistance Program]
FROM: [Principal]
DATE: [insert date]
As a parent of a student who is in a Title I Targeted Assistance Program at _________________________________ school, you have a right under federal law to request information about the professional qualifications of the teachers who instruct your child and the paraprofessionals, if any, who assist them. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 gives you the right to ask for the following information about each of your child’s classroom teachers and their paraprofessional assistants, if any:
Whether the State of Connecticut has licensed or qualified the teacher for the grades and subjects he or she teaches.
Whether the teacher is teaching under an emergency license (letter of authorization) or other provisional status by which state licensing criteria have been waived.
The teacher’s college major, whether the teacher has any advanced degrees and, if so, the subject of the degrees.
Whether any instructional aides or paraprofessionals provide services to your child and, if they do, their qualifications.
If you would like to receive any of this information, please contact me, at (insert phone number) ____________________ or by writing to my office at (provide address) ______________________ ______________________ ______________________