Federal Requirements for Paraprofessionals - Highly Qualified Requirements for Instructional Paraprofessionals - Arizona Approved Assessments - Revised 5/1/14

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by jayni

Federal requirements outline qualification pathways for K-12 instructional paraprofessionals serving in Title I school-wide or targeted programs, including options based on an associate’s degree or documented 60 semester hours, or meeting a rigorous standard through approved state assessments. Arizona specifies accepted assessments (ParaPro, ACT Workkeys, Master Teacher Para EducatorPD Now) and explains how testing is arranged directly with providers. Instructions include required test preparation resources, attestation forms, annual submission obligations, and record retention for local education agencies.

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Federal Requirements for Paraprofessionals

ParaPro

Highly Qualified Requirements for Instructional Paraprofessionals

Arizona Accepts the Following Paraprofessional Assessments

Instructional Paraprofessionals Attestation and Record Retention

# Federal Requirements for Paraprofessionals: ·High School diploma or GED AND ·An Associate's degree or higher OR # ParaPro Approved Arizona Paraprofessional Assessments ·Parapro ·ACT Workkeys ·The Master Teacher Para EducatorPD Now! Instructional Paraprofessional Attestation Form Revised 5/1/14 # Highly Qualified Requirements for Instructional Paraprofessionals According to federal No Child Left Behind(P.L.107-110)requirements,all K-12 instructional paraprofessionals working in a Title I school-wide school or Title I targeted program must meet the following requirements: ·Completed two years of study(equaling 60 or more credit hours)from an accredited institution ofhigher education OR ·Obtained a passing score on one of the Arizona Department of Education approved assessmentsbelow: ACT Workkeys(requires Business Writing,Applied Math &Reading Comprehension testresults) Master Teacher's ParaEducator PD Now!(formerly ParaEducator Learning Network) The Arizona Department of Educator does not retrieve or retain exam results for paraprofessionals.Allarrangements for testing are made directly with the providers listed below.ADE approved assessment providerscan be reached via the following Internet sites/telephone numbers: http://www.ets.org/parapro/1-800-772-9476http://www.act.org/workkeys/pcta/ http://www.masterteacher.com/ParaEducator-PD-Now 1-800-669-9633 Instructional paraprofessionals must complete an attestation form annually(and may not waive the option)sincetheir information is not entered onto the Highly Qualified Teacher Position Input application online.Localeducation agencies must maintain instructional paraprofessional files for at least five years(per federal documentretention requirements).Attestation forms can be located at the following: http://www.azed.gov/highly-qualified-professionals/files/2012/05/14-15-instructional-paraprofessional-attestation.pdf Federal Requirements for Paraprofessionals: According to federal guidance,an instructional paraprofessional is required to meet the following requirements: · An Associate's degree or 60 semester hours of coursework documented on an official transcript from anaccredited institution of higher education;or ·Meet a rigorous standard of quality as demonstrated through the passage of a formal state assessment Arizona accepts the following paraprofessional assessments: 为ETS ParaPro Assessment This online exam is offered at the Peoria Unified School District's Cholla Annex Center located at 6625W.Cholla Street,Glendale,AZ 85304.(SE corner of Cholla Street and 67th Avenue) ·Items to Bring: ● $50.00 check or money order(cash is not accepted),payable at the time of the test.Checksshould be made out to Peoria Unified School District. ● PUSD ID Badge (only required if you are employed with the district) ·Government issued picture ID. · For content categories and the approximate percentage of questions expected in each category: http://www.ets.org/parapro/test prep/tips ·For information to assist with test preparation (sample questions and explanations of answers): http://www.ets.org/parapro/test prep/materials/ · For an online tutorial that will cover all the steps you need to know to complete the Para ProfessionalAssessment:http://ibt.ets.org/parapro/candidate/tutorial welcome.jsp · To schedule a testing session,email James Piper at JPiper@peoriaud.k12.az.us ● ACT Workkeys-1-800-WORKKEY (967-5539) · This online exam is offered at Central Arizona College's Corporate Center in Casa Grande and will beadministered by appointment only.Registration is required-fee is $75.Test center is located at 540 N.Camino Mercado Ste 1 in Casa Grande,85122. ● To set up an appointment contact Barbara at (520)494-6618 or barbara.encinas@centralaz.edu. · This exam consists of 3 separate assessments which must all be completed to meet the requirements. · Math &Reading(55 minutes,must score 5 out of 7),Busines

FAQs

What requirements must instructional paraprofessionals meet in Arizona Title I programs?

They must meet requirements either through an associate’s degree or 60+ semester hours documented on an official transcript, or by passing a rigorous standard via a state-approved assessment.

Which assessments are approved for paraprofessionals in Arizona?

Arizona accepts ParaPro (ETS), ACT Workkeys, and Master Teacher's Para EducatorPD Now (formerly ParaEducator Learning Network).

What is required for instructional paraprofessionals regarding the attestation form and record keeping?

Instructional paraprofessionals must complete an attestation form annually, and local education agencies must maintain instructional paraprofessional files for at least five years.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by jayni