Support Staff Personnel Overview affects of the NCLB Legislation on Title I Paraprofessionals (and Substitutes)

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, also known as HR1, is a federal law that went into effect on January 8, 2002. It requires paraprofessionals assigned to Title I schools to show knowledge of and ability to assist in teaching reading, writing, and mathematics, or reading, writing, and mathematics readiness.

The information in this section has been constructed to fulfill three purposes:

1. To assist Clark County School District employees affected by NCLB in understanding the new requirements and in finding out how they can meet those requirements.
2. To encourage other Clark County School District support staff personnel to pursue Title I paraprofessional certification in accordance with NCLB legislation.
3. To acquaint new applicants with NCLB legislation as it impacts Title I paraprofessional certification.

“HIGHLY QUALIFIED” STATUS

New applicants and current employees seeking placement on Title I QSP’s must meet “highly qualified” status by the beginning 2005-2006 school year.  To be considered “highly qualified” the applicant must have: a college degree; OR, a minimum of 48 (or 60 for higher placement) approved college credits; OR, a passing PRAXIS score (The minimum passing score in the State of Nevada is 460).

COURSES APPROVED BY TITLE 1 FOR 48 and 60 CREDIT COURSE OPTION

A minimum, of 48 approved college credits, is required to be considered “highly qualified” and placed on the QSP for Title I Level III positions.  60 approved college credits, or a college degree is required for placement for Title I, Level IV positions.

Applicants and current employees without a degree, who wish to apply for Title I positions, must submit official transcripts for committee review.  Please note:  Not all credits will be counted for this option.  The list below gives examples of classes that are eligible for Title I credit.  Classes must be graded, not Pass/Fail, and grade must be a C or higher.

EDUC Courses for the Paraprofessional Program—3 credits each
EDUC 111B Orientation for Paraprofessionals in Education
EDUC 112B Effective Classroom Management
EDUC 113B Assisting in Math and Science Instruction
EDUC 114B Assisting in Language Arts/Literacy Instruction
EDUC 115B Spanish for School Professionals
EDUC 116B Classroom Technology
EDUC 117B Understanding Special Education
EDUC 118B Effective Communication Strategies
EDUC 119B Understanding Assessment
EDUC 122B Legal Issues in the Classroom
EDUC 121B Diversity in the Classroom
EDUC 131B Health and Safety Issues in the School Setting
Total: 36 Credits

EDUC Courses in Education
EDUC 201 Introduction to Elementary Education, 3 credits
EDUC 202 Introduction to Secondary Education, 3 credits
EDUC 203 Introduction to Special Education, 3 credits
EDUC 210 Nevada School Law, 2 credits
EDUC 220 Principles of Educational Psychology, 4 credits
EDUC 234 Survey of Computer Uses in Education, 3 credits
EDUC 280 Valuing Cultural Diversity, 3 credits

ECE Courses in Early Childhood
ECE 163 The School Age Child, 3 credits
ECE 202 Understanding Human Growth and Development, 3 credits
ECE 204 Principles of Child Guidance, 3 credits
ECE 250 Introduction to Early Childhood Education
ECE 260 Children’s Literature, 3 credits
ECE 273 Individual Child and Community, 3 credits
ECE 274 Individual Child and The Family, 3 credits
(See ECE degree and certificate options for additional courses of 1 to 4 credits.)

Developmental Courses (As Determined by Assessment Placement)
ENG 090 Basic Writing I, 3 credits
ENG 095 Basic Writing II, 3 credits
MATH 91 Basic Mathematics, 3 credits
MATH 93 Pre-Algebra, 3 credits
MATH 96 Intermediate Algebra, 3 credits
MATH 097 Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, 3 credits
READ 091 Reading Skills I, 3 credits
READ 093 Reading Skills II, 3 credits
READ 097 Reading Skills IV, 3 credits
SPEL 095 Spelling Skills I, 3 credits
SPEL 097 Spelling Skills II, 3 credits
VOC 095 Vocabulary Skills I, 3 credits
VOC 097 Vocabulary Skills II, 3 credits

Additional Courses
AM 145 American Sign Language I, 4 credits
AM 146 American Sign Language II, 4 credits
AM 147 American Sign Language III, 4 credits
AM 148 American Sign Language IV, 4 credits
AM 149 American Sign Language V, 4 credits
COT101B Computer Keyboarding I, 3 credits or COT 102 Computer Keyboarding II, 3 credits
COT 120B Word Perfect 3 credits
COM 101 Oral Communication, 3 credits
COM 102 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication, 3 credits
ESL English as a Second Language (19 courses, 3 credits each)
IS 101 Introduction to Management Information Systems, 3 credits
LT 101 Library Skills/Research for College Papers, 1 credit
LT 201 Research on the Internet, 3 credits
PSY 101 General Psychology, 3 credits
PSY 102 Psychology of Personal and Social Adjustment, 3 credits
READ 133 Speed Reading, 3 credits
READ 135 Critical Reading, 3 credits
SPAN 101B Conversational Spanish, 3 credits
SPAN 102B Conversational Spanish, 3 credits
SPAN 111 First Year Spanish I, 4 credits
SPAN 112 First Year Spanish II, 4 credits
SSK 106 College Success Skills for International Students, 1 credit
SSK 109 College Success: Life and Study Skills, 3 credits

IMPACT ON TITLE I PARAPROFESSIONALS HIRED ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 8, 2002
District employees (hired on or before January 8, 2002) in Title I schools have until the end of the 2005/2006 school year to meet the requirements.

District employees who are re-employed in Title I schools as a result of involuntary breaks in service (e.g., laid off, RIF), also have until the end of the 2005/2006 school year to meet the requirements.

Former District employees returning to work (re-instatements) in Title I schools as a result of voluntary breaks in service (e.g., resignation, LOA), must meet the new requirements prior to re-instatement under the same conditions as new applicants.

Promotions or transfers within affected classifications: District employees hired on or before January 8, 2002, who transfer or promote to Title I schools have until the end of the 2005/2006 school year to meet the new requirements. District employees who wish to transfer or promote from a non Title I school to a Title I school must meet the new requirements for paraprofessionals under the same conditions as new applicants.

FOLLOW UP PROCEDURES
Paraprofessionals who were hired on or before January 8, 2002 and meet the qualifications with college units or possession of a degree must present an official college transcript or original college diploma, in person, to the Office of Support Staff Personnel, attention Karen Heimiller.

Paraprofessionals who were hired on or before January 8, 2002 and have already passed the State of Nevada Certification Examination must submit in person the original results of the test to the Office of Support Staff Personnel, attention Karen Heimiller, Personnel Analyst Title I.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Current District Employees

1. How do I get into the Qualified Selection Pool (QSP) for Title I positions?

Submit a QSP form, attach transcripts or Praxis test and any other documents the position requires (i.e., CPR card, typing test, DMV printout, etc.)

2. How do I know what documents are required for a Title I position?

Each job description has an area titled Document (s) Required At Time of Application. Job descriptions can be found in the yellow Classification Manual or on the CCSD website http://www.ccsd.net/.

3. Where do I take the PRAXIS Test?

To register call the Title I office at 799-3854, if you are a current Title I Cluster employee, for information regarding time and location of test administration, and how to obtain a study guide.
# If you are not a current Title I employee call 1-800-257-5123 for examination information. Website:www.ets.org/parapro

4. Can I apply for a Title I position if I am not currently at a Title I school?

Only if you are in the QSP for the position for which you are applying. (Example: If you are currently an SPTA you must be in the QSP for Title I SPTA).

5. Can I apply for a Title I position if I am assigned to a Title I school in a non-Title I position?

Only if you are in the QSP for the position for which you are applying.

6. If I am a Title I employee and accept a position at a non-Title I school, am I still in the Title I program?

Once you leave a Title I position you are no longer in the Title I program.

7. If I transfer to a position outside Title I, will I still be paid at the current salary?

No. You will receive the salary assigned to your new position and range.

8. If I am a FASA, campus monitor, or school aide working in a Title I school, do I need to meet the No Child Left Behind requirements?

No! Employees in these positions are not required to meet mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act. Only employees assigned to one of the five-affected Title I positions must meet the mandates (only applies to those assisting directly with classroom instruction).

9. If a school becomes a Title I location after the end of the 2005/2006 school year, will employees affected by the changes need to meet the requirements immediately?

Yes. All employees working in one of the five Title I positions must have received “highly qualified” status by the time of the Title I school-wide designation.

10. Where can I find information regarding which classes are approved by the Clark County School District and CCSN, Community College of Southern Nevada?

Core classes and education classes are approved for NCLB.  Refer to the section title “Approved Courses” in the front of this web page for examples of these courses.

11. After successfully completing the PRAXIS Examination, what do I do?

a. Once employees successfully complete the PRAXIS Examination, they are considered “highly qualified” as defined by the NCLB Act and upgraded to level III on the negotiated salary schedule.
b. Employees must fax (799-1141) copies of the PRAXIS Examination results to Karen Heimiller, Personnel Analyst,
Title I.
c. Employees must also submit a QSP Request Form to be placed in the Qualified Selection Pool for level III positions.


Out-of-District Applicants

1. How do I apply at CCSD for Title I positions?

Submit a resume and college transcripts; or Submit a resume and results of the PRAXIS Assessment Test (score must be 460 or higher) to Karen Heimiller, Support Staff Personnel. Transcripts will be evaluated and if minimums are met, an application will be mailed to you.

2. Where can I take the PRAXIS Assessment Test?

Non-district applicants should call 1-800-257-5123, or access the website at www.ets.org/parapro. The vendor will give you the necessary information (i.e., how to obtain a study guide, cost, time and location of test).

3. What other documents do I need for Title I positions?

With your application you will be given a job description for the five Title I positions. Each job description will list the documents you will need for the position (s) for which you are applying (i.e., CPR card, typing test, DMV printout, etc.).

4. How do I know which schools are designated Title I schools?

When a vacant position is advertised, the ad will state Title I site and the position title will designate Title I.

5. Where can I find a job description for Title I positions before receiving an application?
All support staff job descriptions are located on our website http://www.ccsd.net/jobs.

General Information

What is the “No Child Left Behind Act?”
The NCLB Act became law on January 8, 2002, when President George Bush signed the legislation. Also known as HR1, this federal law requires paraprofessionals to show knowledge of and the ability to assist in teaching reading, writing, and mathematics, or reading, writing, and mathematics readiness. The law mandates that all paraprofessionals:
1. Take and pass a minimum of 48 semester course hours from accredited college or university in the field assignment, OR
2. Attain an Associate (or higher) Degree from an accredited college or university, OR
3. Pass the Nevada State Certification Examination with a score of 460 or higher.


TROUBLESHOOTERS
If you have a question not explained or answered in this website regarding Title I mandates established by the No Child Left Behind Act, please contact one of the following analysts: