Instructional Aides - Paraprofessional Requirements
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Instructional Aides - Paraprofessional Requirements
Requirements
If you are interested in becoming an Instructional Aide and an active District employee (including active substitutes), please read the information below.
Properly trained paraprofessionals (teaching assistants) can play an important role in improving student achievement by reinforcing and augmenting a teacher's effort in the classroom. Valley Center - Pauma Unified School District, therefore, requires that paraprofessionals meet high standards of qualification via requirements satisfied through education or proficiency examination.
Paraprofessionals whose duties include instructional support must have:
High school diploma or the equivalent,
and
Two years of college (48 units), or
A. A. degree (or higher), or
Pass a local assessment of knowledge and skills in assisting in instruction.
Interested individuals may take the Paraprofessional Training & Assessment Program (PTAP) offered at a cost to the employee through local universities, colleges, and County Offices of Education.
In VCPUSD, we offer a free option for obtaining Paraprofessional compliance status for any interested, currently active, District employees (including active substitutes). You may take an online exam at the District Office by appointment. Since VCPUSD is a member of the Cooperative Organization for the Development of Employee Selection Procedures (CODESP), the organization prepared the exam for member districts to ensure NCLB compliance.
A passing score of 70% is required to meet the paraprofessional requirement. If you do not pass, you must wait 3 months before taking the exam again. There are links posted on this page for practicing and studying for the exam. The exam must be completed in one sitting within three (3) hours and is to be taken during non-work time and is unpaid, but the exam and study materials are free.
The test consists of 110 multiple choice questions on mathematics and language arts through high school CAHSEE level content. You are expected to study independently and prepare for the exam. CAHSEE study guides serve as the best resource for preparation.
If you have any questions about paraprofessional requirements, becoming an Instructional Assistant, or questions regarding the test, study materials and/or would like to take the exam, please schedule an appointment with anyone within the Human Resources Department at the District Office, (760) 749-8555.
Resources & Helpful Links
The links below are for CAHSEE study resources and to a practice exam prepared by CODESP who also designed the test we are using. Also, there is a Tutorial for the test provided by CODESP and a CAHSEE Mathematics Study Guide. For additional resources, please contact HR at 760-749-8555.
Paraeducator_Instructional Aide Tutorial
CAHSEE Mathematics Study Guide