Paraprofessional Assessment Package Meets NCLB Requirements

NCLB requires that paraprofessionals in schools receiving Title I funding have at least an associate’s degree or two years of postsecondary study, or be able to demonstrate appropriate levels of knowledge and ability for instructing students. Individual states and school districts are responsible for choosing the tools used to assess their paraprofessionals’ skills.

The WorkKeys Proficiency Certificate comprises four proven WorkKeys assessments—Reading for Information, Applied Mathematics, and either Business Writing or Writing—as well as a structured, observation-based assessment of teaching skills similar to the teacher evaluation process used in most schools nationwide.

“WorkKeys has been the basis of job preparation for students for more than a decade,” said Don Carstensen, vice president of ACT’s Educational Services. “Thousands of schools, businesses, and organizations across the nation use WorkKeys in hiring, assessing, and training the workforce. It’s a natural fit for WorkKeys to also assess whether a paraprofessional has the skills required to help teach in a classroom.”

Examinees who successfully complete all four components earn a certificate of performance. For those who need to improve their skills, training is available through ACT Centers. WorkKeys-aligned training courses also are available from the companies KeyTrain and Worldwide Interactive Network, and through WorkKeys Value-Added Resellers, one-stop career centers, and similar agencies.

“ACT takes the same approach with teacher assistants as with students,” said Carstensen. “Assessment should provide information that leads to higher achievement. Our system guides paraprofessionals to the training programs that will help them achieve their career goals, and at the same time, help the school district comply with the new federal requirements.”

For more information, call our national office at (800) WORKKEY (800/967-5539) for referral to your local field representative.