LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PARAEDUCATOR CAREER LADDER - BOOST Policy Guide - Revised

Sep 4, 2026

LOS Angeles Unified School District PARAEDUCATOR CAREER LADDER BOOST Policy Guide outlines support for classified employees who want to earn California credentialed teacher status. BOOST members receive mentorship, credential pathway guidance, professional development, and up to $4,500 annually for education and credential-related expenses. Participants commit to work in LAUSD in their credential area for at least two academic years after obtaining a preliminary teaching credential. The guide details career pathways, program steps with benchmark and credential requirements, optional RISE activities, and member benefit procedures.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

OVERVIEW

Career pathways

The career ladder

Review of Instructional Standards Experience (RISE)

Member benefits

Financial assistance

Test preparation

LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PARAEDUCATOR CAREER LADDER BOOST Policy Guide OVERVIEW Building Our Own Staff as Teachers (BOOST) provides support and guidance to LAUSD classified employees who aspire to become California credentialed teachers. Benefits of BOOST membership include ongoing mentorship on appropriate academic pathways, credential requirements, financial assistance of up to $4 ,500 annually for education and credential related expenses, and professional development opportunities. Program members commit to working in LAUSD in their credential area for a minimum of two academic years upon earning a preliminary teaching credential. CAREER PATHWAYS | Subject Area | Credential Goal | Eligibility | Program Commitment | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Special Education (SPED) | Education Specialist Credential
● Mild Moderate Support Needs
● Extensive Support Needs
● Deaf and Hard of Hearing
● Visual Impairment | Any classified employee who has completed a minimum of 60 semester college units.
*Subject areas may change based on District Need | 2 full academic years with LAUSDas a credentialed teacher. | | Multilingual & Multicultural (MM) | World Languages other than English (in a qualifying language) or any prerequisite California teaching credential with an added Bilingual Authorization | | | | Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) | Single Subject: Mathematics and Science Credentials (see The statutory subjects available for Single Subject Teaching Credentials) | | | | Art, Dance, Music, Theater | Single Subject (see The statutory subjects available for Single Subject Teaching Credentials) | | | | Physical Education | Single Subject (see The statutory subjects available for Single Subject Teaching Credentials) | | | My current job classiﬁcation is My preferred subject area is My credential goal is LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PARAEDUCATOR CAREER LADDER THE CAREER LADDER BOOST members are supported through individualized mentorship and professional guidance as they progress through a series of educational benchmarks and credential requirements, known to the program as steps. It is expected that members make steady progress towards earning a teaching credential by completing at least one step per year. The goals for each step are outlined below: | STEP | Educational Benchmarks | Credential Requirements | Program Requirements | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 5 | Completion of Preliminary Credential of License | Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA) | Each Membership Year…
attend two (2) virtual professional development events
-and
attend the in-person Career Ladder Forum
-OR
Attend four (4) virtual professional development events
-OR
Complete two RISE activities
*PD Schedule TBD | | 4 | Completion of
Baccalaureate Degree
Enroll in a Teacher Preparation Program | Reading Instruction Competence ( RICA)
-OR
Commission Approved Literacy Performance Assessment (for SPED and Elementary only) | | | 3 | Completion of 90 semester units | CTC Subject Matter Competence (CSET or equivalent) | | | 2 | Completion of 60 semester units
Enroll in a baccalaureate program | Basic Skills Requirement (CBEST or equivalent) | | | 1 | Completion of 30 semester units | US Constitution (course or exam) | Signed Policy Guide
Proof of Language proficiency for MM (CSET or coursework) | REVIEW OF INSTRUCTIONAL STANDARDS EXPERIENCE ( RISE) (optional) Review of Instructional Standards Experience (RISE) activities are opportunities to identify and engage in effective teaching practices under the direction of a certificated teacher. RISE activities were developed out of the Teaching and Learning Framework (TLF) , which are a set of professional standards used by LAUSD to support the growth and development of classroom teachers. These standards describe clear expectations for effective teaching. Members are required to complete one RISE

FAQs

What is the purpose of BOOST for LAUSD paraeducators?

BOOST supports LAUSD classified employees who aspire to become California credentialed teachers. It provides mentorship, academic pathway guidance, credential requirements information, and professional development opportunities.

What program commitment is required after earning a preliminary teaching credential?

Program members must commit to working in LAUSD in their credential area for a minimum of two academic years upon earning a preliminary teaching credential.

What are RISE activities used for in the career ladder?

RISE activities provide opportunities to identify and engage in effective teaching practices under the direction of a certificated teacher. Members complete one RISE activity per academic year.

Sep 4, 2026

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