Paraeducators providing instructional support in a program supported with Title I-A funds must work under the direct supervision of a teacher. For a school-wide program, (all Bell Co Elementary Schools are School-Wide) all paraeducators with instructional duties must work under the direct supervision of a teacher.

Direct supervision of a teacher is considered to be:

 1. The teacher prepares the lessons and plans the instructional support activities the paraeducator carries out and evaluates the achievement of the students with whom the paraeducator is working; and

2. The paraeducator works in close and frequent proximity with the teacher. A program where a paraeducator provides instructional support and a teacher visits a site once or twice a week but otherwise is not in the classroom would be inconsistent with the requirement that paraeducators work in close and frequent proximity to a teacher. A program where a paraeducator works with a group of students in another location while the teacher provides instruction to the rest of the class would also be inconsistent with the requirement that paraeducators work in close and frequent proximity to a teacher. Because paraeducators provide instructional support, they should not be providing planned direct instruction or introducing to students new skills, concepts or academic content.

Paraeducators working in a program supported with Title I-A funds may provide the following services, under the supervision of teachers or other licensed personnel:

1. Provide one-on-one tutoring for eligible students, if the tutoring is scheduled at a time when a student would not otherwise receive instruction from a teacher;

2. Assist with classroom management such as by organizing instructional materials;

3. Provide instructional assistance in a computer laboratory;

4. Conduct parent involvement activities;

5. Provide instructional support in a library or media center;

6. Act as a translator; or

7. Provide instructional services to students under the direct supervision of a highly qualified teacher.

            Paraeducators who provide services to eligible private school students and are employed by the district must be under the direct supervision of a highly qualified public school teacher throughout the duration of the services/program being offered.

Paraeducators hired by a third-party contractor to work in a Title I program must work under the direct supervision of a teacher. That teacher does not have to meet the teacher qualification requirement if the third party contractor also employees the teacher.

Paraeducators providing instructional support in a program supported with Title I-A funds may assume limited duties that are assigned to similar personnel who are not working in a program supported with Title I-A funds. The limited duties include duties beyond classroom instruction or duties that do not benefit participating children. The amount of time spent on limited duties must be the same proportion of total work time as that of instructional staff at the same school.

Funding Issues Several federal programs provide funds that local school districts may use to provide professional development for paraeducators.

1. Title I-A funds may be used to support ongoing training and professional development to assist teachers and paraeducators working in a program supported with Title I-A funds. Title I-A funds may also be used for professional development to help paraeducators become certified and licensed teachers.

2. Title II-A (Teacher Quality Program) funds may be used to provide professional development activities that improve the knowledge of teachers and principals and, in appropriate cases, paraeduators concerning effective instructional strategies, methods and skills and use of challenging content standards to improve teaching practices and student academic achievement. Title II-A funds may also be used for professional development to help paraeducators become certified and licensed teachers.

 3. Title III-A (English Language Acquisition) funds may be used to provide professional development for teachers and other instructional personnel providing instruction to students need English language acquisition and language enhancement.

4. Title V-A (Innovative Programs) funds may be used to provide professional development for teachers and other school personnel as a part of reform strategies.

Questions

 If you have questions, contact the Title I staff or your program supervisor at the Bell Co School District Central Office 606-337-7051.

Additional information: Title I staff in the Kentucky Department of Education at (502) 564-3791. Additional information regarding requirements for paraeducators may be found in Section 1119 of the No Child Left Behind Act and the U.S. Department of Education Paraprofessional Guidance (March 1, 2004)