Professional Qualifications of Teachers

Parents of children attending Title 1, Part A schools have the right to request and receive information about the qualifications of the educators who teach students core subjects – reading, English language arts and mathematics.  At a minimum, the information given to you must explain these three essential components of an educator’s qualifications.  Whether the student’s teacher –

1. 1. Has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.
2. 2.Is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which state qualification or licensing criteria have been waived.
3. 3.Is teaching in the field of discipline of the certification of the teacher.

Qualifications of Paraprofessionals:

Parents of children attending Title 1, Part A schools have the right to request and receive information about the qualifications of the paraeducators who teach students in a core academic subject area.

Our state is developing new paraprofessional standards that will become effective for the 2017-18 school year.  In the meantime, districts will follow the requirements under ESEA for school year 2016-17.  Paraprofessionals must work under the supervision of a certified teacher.  In schools that operate a schoolwide program, all paraprofessionals must have special qualifications.  Schools that operate a Title 1, Part A program must have a high school diploma or GED and completed the following:

1. 1.Completed at least 2 years of study at an institution of higher education; or
2. 2.Obtained an associate’s or higher degree; or
3. 3.Meet a high standard of quality either through a) the ETS ParaPro Assessment; b) a paraeducator apprenticeship program approved by Washington State; or c) portfolio program.