TANNEHILL

TITLE I PARAPROFESSIONALS

It is the policy of the Tannehill  Board of Education that Title I paraprofessionals will be employed for the school term only.  If Title I funds are received by the district, employ­ment will be offered if the educational need exists and if the applicant pos­sesses the required level of requisite skills as prescribed in the appropriate State Depart­ment of Education regulations and the No Child Left Behind Act.

All paraprofessionals must have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent.  Paraprofessionals hired after January 7, 2002, must have completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education; obtained at least an associate's degree; or met a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate through a formal state or local academic assessment the knowledge of and ability to assist in the instruction of reading, writing, or mathematics or the instruc­tion of readiness of these subjects.  Paraprofessionals hired before January 8, 2002, have until the end of the 2005-2006 school year to meet these standards.  The district will not hire Title I paraprofessionals who do not meet these standards.

Exception to these requirements may be made with regard to paraprofessionals who act as translators or who coordinate parent involvement activities.

The superintendent and/or staff development committee shall develop an appropriate in-service training program for paraprofessionals.

Paraprofessionals are employed so that the professional teachers may direct their energies to the students’ education.  The principal and supervising teacher are jointly responsible for making final decisions related to the duties and responsibilities to be assigned to a paraprofessional.  Paraprofessionals are not to discipline children.  Classroom discipline shall be left to the certified teacher or building principal.

REFERENCE:    P.L. 107

THIS POLICY REQUIRED BY THE

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT.