Update for the 2020-21 school year, the USDOE has approved the IDOE's request to allow LEAs who meet the requirements to utilize the more flexible state defined paraprofessional requirements for highly-qualified rather than the current federal requirements. See options for paraprofessional requirements here. LEAs must apply before being able to utilize additional flexibility. See additional information and the Ed-Flex Application here.
On January 8, 2002, President Bush signed into law the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The law establishes new requirements for paraprofessionals in classrooms. Any instructional paraprofessional employed after January 8, 2002, must either have completed two years of college, hold a two-year degree, or pass a state or local assessment. Under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), paraprofessionals must continue to meet the federal standards used under NCLB.
Complete information can be found in the Non-Regulatory Guidance issued by the US Department of Education.
For instructional paraprofessionals in Indiana districts and schools receiving Title I funds, Indiana is adopting the ParaPro Assessment developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Instructional Assistants with less than two years of college will be required to successfully complete this assessment. Additional information regarding the test, including registration materials, can be found on the ETS website.