Paraprofessional Educator Certification in Connecticut

<p>Paraprofessional educators, sometimes referred to as paraeducators, are assistants to school teachers or other licensed education professionals who help plan, execute, or assess the results of educational programs. They could have a variety of different duties, such as early intervention, tutoring, or aiding in special education (among many others). The table below is an overview of the facts for paraprofessional educator careers in the state of Connecticut. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> Education Required </td><td> High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required; some schools list Physical and Psychological Management Training (PMT) as preferred</td></tr> <tr><td> Exam Requirements </td><td> ParaPro Assessment required in some cases</td></tr> <tr><td> Average Salary (2018) </td><td> $34,650 (for all Connecticut teacher assistants)*</td></tr> <tr><td> Estimated Job Growth (2016-2026) </td><td> 8% growth (for all teacher assistants nationwide)*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics </i></p> <h3 id="section---WhatRequirementsApplyForParaprofessionalEducatorsInConnecticut">What Requirements Apply for Paraprofessional Educators in Connecticut?</h3> <p>Though the state legislature briefly considered establishing one, Connecticut does not have a formal process for certifying or licensing paraprofessional educators. As such, there is no standard set for the training, examination, or education of candidates in the state, and requirements vary depending on the position and employer. </p> <p>Federal requirements for paraprofessional educators apply to positions at schools that are funded by Title I, Part A of the No Child Left Behind Act in the state of Connecticut. For those positions, applicants must have two years of college credit or a college degree (including associate's, bachelor's, or higher). Applicants without a college education can still be considered after obtaining the required score on the ParaPro Assessment examination. Additional requirements apply to paraprofessionals working directly with students with disabilities. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatIsTheParaProAssessmentAndHowCanITakeIt">What Is the ParaPro Assessment and How Can I Take It?</h3> <p>The ParaPro Assessment is a standardized test administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), designed to evaluate the skills and knowledge of aspiring paraprofessional educators across the United States. It consists of 90 multiple-choice questions and can be taken in any ETS center in the country (the ETS website includes info on relevant test dates, locations, and registration instructions). Preparation and study materials are available through the ETS and other private vendors (including practice tests and a free PDF guide available directly on the ETS website). Skills evaluated in the examination include basic reading, mathematics, and writing. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatOtherStepsAreRequired">What Other Steps Are Required?</h3> <p>Though additional requirements may apply depending on the school or position, one statewide requirement for all paraprofessional educators in Connecticut is the successful completion of a background check. This check involves the collection of fingerprints, which are sent to both state and federal databases to verify applicants have no criminal histories. The process must be completed during the first 30 days of employment, and job offers may be rescinded if a criminal history is found. </p> <h3 id="section---DoINeedAnyFormalTraining">Do I Need Any Formal Training?</h3> <p>Though no statewide expectations exist for formal training programs, many schools in Connecticut mention Physical and Psychological Management Training (PMT) as preferred for paraprofessional educator positions. PMT training covers processes for de-escalating conflict when a student becomes argumentative or aggressive. The training is offered by PMT Associates, Inc. Check its website for schedules, locations, and instructions on registering for a training session. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreTheSalaryExpectationsAndCareerOutlookForParaprofessionalsInConnecticut">What Are the Salary Expectations and Career Outlook for Paraprofessionals in Connecticut?</h3> <p>Paraprofessional educators are included under the category of teaching assistants in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. In 2018, a nationwide average salary of $28,750 was estimated for this category. Paraprofessionals earn more in Connecticut, with an average annual salary estimated at $34,650. A nationwide growth in job opportunities of 8% is expected for paraprofessionals between 2016 and 2026.</p>