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Para Pro Certificate Program

Para Educator Assessment Test Preparation
 
The federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and IDEA regulations called upon Washington State to ensure a quality para-educator workforce.
 
North Kitsap School District has developed training to assist staff in meeting the requirements for Para-educator under the No Child Left Behind Act.
 
This in-district training is designed to provide an opportunity for Para-educators:
To learn about the general requirements of the ETS test;
  • To identify strategies for taking tests and strategies for reducing test taking anxiety
  • To self-assess their strengths and weaknesses in the content areas of reading, writing, mathematics and strategies for working with students;
  • To develop a study plan for addressing identified needs for a practice test
Why choose this program?
This program provides an in-district option for studying for the para -educator assessment test.
The instructors are accessible to assist the candidates throughout the process. This program is also an opportunity for networking with other para-eduators in the district. In addition, a highlight of this in-district program is our partnership with the PSE to provide this advantage to our district staff.
 
Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who needs it?
Provisions in the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 established employment criteria for all paraprofessionals working in Title 1 or like instructional programs. NCLB tied present and future employment of paraprofessionals to a university/community college degree, two years of higher education, or a “rigorous” assessment (test) of knowledge and skills in the areas of reading, writing, math, and readiness.

2. When can I start a para-educator assessment preparations program?
Test Preparation classes are offered in the North Kitsap District or may be pursued at the Olympia Educational Center. Information on times and dates is regularly emailed to para-eduators in the district.

3. How long does the preparation program take to complete?
The format we follow in this district includes a nine-hour training for para-educators at no cost to the district employees. Each district employee will be provided resource material (book) and also the opportunity to take the state mandated test at our district office site.

4. Who do I contact for more information?
Chris Willits at 360 779 –8710 or cwillits@nkschools.org
Dr. Dorothy Siskin at 360 394-2600 or dsiskin@nkschools.org
Last Modified on June 20, 2008