Special Education Paraprofessionals

Paraprofessionals play essential roles in improving student achievement in schools. They are responsible for reinforcing a teacher's effort in the classroom and providing critical support to students with disabilities. 

Paraprofessionals provide instructional support, including:

• Provide one-on-one tutoring if such tutoring is scheduled at a time when a student would not
• otherwise receive instruction from a teacher,
• Assist with classroom management, such as by organizing instructional materials,
• Providing instructional support in a computer laboratory,
• Conduct parental involvement activities,
• Provide instructional support in a library or media center, Act as a translator, or
• Providing instructional support services under the direct supervision of a fully certified teacher.

Meet one of the following criteria:

• Completed two years of study at an institution of higher education (no less than 48 hours of college coursework), OR
• Earned an Associates Degree (or higher), OR
• Take and pass the ACT WorkKeys Assessment scoring a Bronze or higher
  

WorkKeys: An examinee who takes the three assessments receives a score report for each assessment providing both a scaled score and a level score. The score report provides descriptions of the skills that the examinee has demonstrated. For all three assessments, examinees achieve a level score of <3, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. An examinee must score a minimum of Level 3 on all three assessments (Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents).

In addition to Tier I, special education paraprofessionals must also meet the following requirements and maintain current certification.

Initial Requirements

• Option 1: Enroll and complete paraprofessional courses in OKConnect by emailing Carolyn Thomas the following information:
  • Name of paraprofessional
  • District created email address        
• Option 2: OSDE-approved Paraprofessional training through career technology centers or other state-approved training providers

Additional Requirements

• Cardiovascular Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and
• First Aid Training

Yearly RequirementS

• Bloodborne Pathogens AND
• Six (6) hours of professional development

Opportunities for Paraprofessionals to receive Professional Development credits:

• Attending Professional Development sessions at the district level
• Attend the Regional Support Conference within the state
• Enroll in Direct-Step, Direct Specialized Training for Education Paraprofessionals through LRP.

Candidates Needing Tier II Certification

A member of the district's administration team or designee will send an email to Carolyn Thomas stating the candidate's name and the candidate's district-created email address. The candidate will receive an email with the next steps and instructions in their district email.

District Superintendent and District Human Resources roles in OECS will now be able to recommend paraprofessional candidates for Tier 1 and/or Tier 2. Districts can start the recommendation process by clicking on "Manage Your Paraprofessional Recommendations". Once the educator is recommended, the educator will be able to apply online using their recommendation tile. 

• Paraprofessional Recommendation Process - 2023
• Contact the Office of Teacher Certification for additional questions regarding the paraprofessional recommendation process.
• Contact the Office of Federal Programs for additional questions regarding Tier I.
• Contact the Office of Special Education Services for questions related to Tier II.

LEAs may apply to provide the required paraprofessional training at the district level. Instructor candidates wishing to provide training must meet the following requirements.

• Hold a current Oklahoma Teacher Certificate in Special Education
• Have a minimum of two (2) years of experience teaching in a special education classroom
• Receive a recommendation from a school district administrator
• Complete and obtain a transcript showing eight (8) paraprofessional training modules
• Submit the application and all required documents to OSDE-SES
  

Special Education Paraprofessional Instructor Application

• Policies & Procedures  (Chapter 15 Special Education Staffing, pgs. 437-477)
• Alternate Pathways to Teacher Certification