January 8, 2002, President Bush signed into law the “No Child Left Behind Act” (NCLBA). The law establishes new requirements for paraprofessionals in classrooms. Any paraprofessional employed after January 8, 2002, must either have completed two years of college, or hold a two-year degree, or pass a state or local assessment. Arkansas is planning to conduct a standard setting study for the new Praxis ParaPro Assessment that has been developed by Educational Testing Service (ETS). This study will be conducted for one day during the week of January 13, 2003, in Baton Rouge, LA. Expenses will be covered by ETS. The Arkansas Department of Education will reimburse the district for teacher substitute cost. Assistance is requested from school districts by nominating both paraprofessionals and teachers, who supervise paraprofessionals, to participate in this standard setting study.
Please nominate one paraprofessional and teacher currently working in a TITLE I PROGRAM from the following groups:
° Paraprofessionals with a high school diploma or a GED;
° Paraprofessionals with an Associate’s degree or two years of college; and
° Teachers who directly supervise paraprofessionals in a Title I Program
Panels must consist of a higher concentration of paraprofessionals with high school diplomas or GED’s. However, all categories mentioned above must be represented on the panel. Please understand that all nominees may not be selected as participants to ensure appropriate representation on all panels by race, gender, ethnicity, and teaching level, and urban and rural areas. Nominees must have 10 OR LESS YEARS OF EXPERIENCE as paraprofessionals/teachers. Please nominate paraprofessionals/teachers from elementary, middle level and high school levels.
Paraprofessionals and supervising teachers who are selected will participate for one day, during the week of January 13, 2002. For those who wish to stay overnight, ETS will pay for travel, meals, and lodging for one night.
The nomination form is attached to this Director's Memo. Please complete one form for each paraprofessional or teacher who supervises paraprofessionals being nominated and forward the forms as soon as possible, but no later than Friday, November 15 to:
Barbara Patty, Arkansas Department of Education
FAX 501-682-5118 or bpatty@arkedu.k12.ar.us
For questions regarding the standard setting activity, please e-mail Barbara Patty or call her at 501-682-1146.