Butte School District

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

5420

Monitors/Paraeducators

Monitors/paraeducators, as defined in the appropriate job descriptions, are under the supervision of a principal and a teacher to whom the principal may have delegated responsibility for close direction. The nature of the work accomplished by paraeducators will encompass a variety of tasks which may be inclusive of “limited instructional duties.”

Paraeducators are employed by the District mainly to assist the teacher. A paraeducator is an extension of the teacher, who legally has direct control and supervision of the classroom or playground and responsibility for control and welfare of students.

In compliance with applicable legal requirements, the Board will require all paraeducators with instructional duties, who are newly hired in a Title I school-wide program, to have:

1. Completed at least two (2) years of study at an institution of higher education;
2. Obtained an Associate’s or higher degree; or
3. Met a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate, through formal state or local academic assessment, knowledge of and ability to assist in instruction of reading, writing, or mathematics or instruction of readiness of these subjects.

Paraeducators hired before January 8, 2002, have until January 1, 2006, to meet these standards.

It is the responsibility of the District and the teacher to provide adequate training for a paraeducator. This training should take into account unique situations in which a paraeducator works and should be designed to cover general contingencies which might be expected to pertain to those situations. During the first thirty (30) days of employment, the supervising teacher or administrator will continue to assess the skills and ability of the paraeducator to assist in reading, writing, and mathematics instruction.

The Superintendent will develop and implement procedures for an annual evaluation of monitors/paraeducators. Evaluation results will be a factor in future employment decisions.

Legal Reference:    
Public Law 107-110, No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

Policy History:
Adopted on: 10/18/04
Revised on: