Tuition-free classes offered for paraprofessional preparation

Paraprofessionals (teacher’s aides, teacher’s assistants, instructional assistants) who provide instructional support in the Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, and Tazewell County Public Schools must meet federal highly qualified standards. All paraprofessionals must have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent (GED® certificate). Additionally, paraprofessionals have the following three options to meet the designation of highly qualified:

Complete two years of study at an institution of higher education; OR

Obtain an associate (or higher) degree; OR

Meet a rigorous standard of quality and be able to demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment, knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics (or, as appropriate, reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness).

The Virginia Board of Education has approved the ETS Praxis ParaPro Assessment as the formal state academic paraprofessional assessment. Preparation for this assessment is available free of charge through Southwest Regional Adult Education.

Participants will have access to the following:

Face-to-face instruction by a highly qualified adult education instructor

• An overview of the Praxis test

• Study topics

• Workbooks

• Practice questions and explanations of correct answers

• Test-taking tips and strategies

• On-line software programs that can be accessed 24/7

Paraprofessionals play an important role in the classroom. Attend a tuition-free adult education class and prepare to be a paraprofessional. Southwest Regional Adult Education is currently accepting students to participate in the ParaPro Teacher Aide Exam Preparation Program.

For more information about this opportunity, call 866-581-9935 and speak with either Linda Allen, Susan Harris, or Alison Stiltner.