Title I and Special Education Paraprofessionals

It is the policy of the Oologah-Talala Board of Education that Title I and Special Education paraprofessionals will be employed in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws. Employment will be offered if the educational need exists and if the applicant possesses the required level of requisite skills as prescribed in the appropriate State Department of Education regulations.

Tier 1. In order to qualify for a Tier 1 Oklahoma paraprofessional credential, which is required for general educational paraprofessionals in Title I schools and available to general education paraprofessionals in other settings, an applicant must:

1. Have a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) Diploma or other certificate of high school equivalency recognized by the State of Oklahoma.
2. Have on file with the State Board of Education a current Oklahoma criminal history record from the OSBI as well as a national fingerprint-based criminal history record provided by the FBI.
3. Meet at least one of the following:
   1. Has completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education;
   2. Has obtained an associate's degree or higher; or
   3. Has either passed the Oklahoma General Education Test obtained a national Career Readiness Certificate through successful completion ofthe ACTG WorkKeys assessment, or passed the ParaPro Assessment offered through the Educational Testing Service.

Tier 2. In order to qualify for a Tier 2 Oklahoma paraprofessional credential which is required for special education paraprofessionals, an applicant shall meet the qualifications of Tier I and all of the following:

1. Have completed the Oklahoma Special Education Paraprofessional Training available at Career Technology Center, equivalent training provided by the State Department of Education through an in-person or online program, or other state-approved training provided by a school district.
2. Have completed training in cardiovascular pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid.
3. Have completed training in Universal Precautions/Bloodborne Pathogens.

In the event a school requires a special education paraprofessional, but is unable to secure the services of an individual who holds a Tier 2 paraprofessional at the time the services must be delivered, the district may employee an individual on a provision basis ifthe district determines the individual is able to provide the appropriate paraprofessional services. The individual will have one hundred twenty (120) calendar days of employment to provide special education paraprofessional services without certification. Any provisional placement must be reported to the State Department of Education Office of Special Education.

The superintendent and/or staff development committee shall develop an appropriate in-service training program for paraprofessionals.

Paraprofessionals are employed so that the professional teachers may direct their energies to the students' education.The principal and supervising teacher are jointly responsible for making final decisions related to the duties and responsibilities to be assigned to a paraprofessional. Paraprofessionals are not to discipline children. Classroom discipline shall be left to the certified teacher or building principal.

Legal Citations

The qualifications and procedures outlined in this policy are based upon the following:

• P. L. 107