Paraeducator Requirements

Title I Paraeducator Requirements

The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) requires all Paraeducators in Title 1 Buildings to meet the following requirements upon hire: 

• Have a high school diploma or a GED certificate and
• Complete 48 hours at an institution of higher education* OR
• Obtain an associate’s (or higher) degree OR
• Pass a State approved assessment that assesses the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics (or reading, writing, mathematics readiness).

Early Learning (Preschool-Aged At-Risk) Paraeducator Requirements 

The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) requires all Pre-K Paraeducators to meet the following requirements upon hire: 

• A Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate or an Associate of Arts (A.A.) in early childhood education or a related field;
• Have a high school diploma or a GED and completed 48 credit hours at an institution of higher education;
• Associate’s degree (or higher);
• Pass a State-approved assessment (listed above under Title I) that determines an ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics; or reading, writing, and mathematics readiness.

Approved Assessments for Title I Paraeducators

The Kansas State Board of Education approved the following assessments and established passing scores for each:

• ParaPro Assessment by Educational Testing Services (ETS).
• One assessment includes reading, writing and mathematics. The passing score is 455 points.
• May not retest sooner than 21 days (not including the initial test date)
• "C-PARAPRO ASSESSMENT" on the results means the test was taken on the computer, not on paper.
• Paraeducator Online Training (formerly ParaEducator PD Now!, formerly ParaEducator Learning Network) by Master Teacher, Inc. There are two assessments; both must be passed to meet the requirements:
• Assessment 1 Reading, Writing and Math: Instructional Support (65% to pass) and
• Assessment 2 Reading, Writing and Math: Knowledge and Application (70% to pass).
• WorkKeys by ACT, Inc. There are three assessments that must be taken and passed:
  Passing these three assessments lets the individual earn the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate. Holding this certificate indicates the  tests have been passed and can serve to meet this testing option. NCRC can be validated online (external link).
• Workplace Documents (was Reading for Information) (Level 4 score to pass)
• Applied Math (Level 4 score to pass); and
• Graphic Literacy (was Locating Information)(Level 4 to pass as of July 1, 2023)

Reference: Paraprofessional (ksde.org)