Does anyone have information on what qualifications/certifications are needed to become a paraprofessional in Connecticut? Also for pre-school teaching? Thanks!
by Anonymous (not verified) - 01/14/2012 - 11:38am
I don't have a job yet, but I live in Hartford and the para need in HPS is high, from what I hear. I took the para test
via ETS website for $45, and it's really just general reading, writing, and math knowledge. Piece of cake. Even if the testing site is an hour away, its worth it.
Don't go to an online school and pay tuition when you can pay $45 and maybe $10 for gas and be certified in 2 hours.
Theres even a practice test on the ETS website, and you'd be surprised how close some of the testing sites can be. Good luck and happy teaching!
I am interested in becoming a paraprofessional but am not sure how to go about it. I have a friend who works out of state who doesn't have a degree in education whatsoever and she took a test and became a paraprofessional with just her experience. She has recommended that I do the same. I am a mother of three and have worked in the early childhood field for 18 years. I was also the Asst. Director of a daycare center for 10yrs. I have 12 credits in ECE. Is it possible that I could take a ParaPro. test somewhere to get certification for this? I would appreciate any advice. Thanks.
I am currently enrolled with Kaplan university. I take 1 class a week it fits in to my schedule. You can also take an exam if you google it. The issue with the exam is that they only have 2 a year and in my case it is a 2 hour drive from my house to the closest place for the exam.
University of Phoenix has an Associate of Arts with a concentration in Paraprofessional Education degree. They have campuses all over or you can take the classes online. They are a regionally and nationally accredited school. Hope this can help someone.
I am a part time para , I need help please , trying to find a class to pass the exam for the paraprofessional everywhere I have called has eliminated there programs because of the economy.
Many years ago i had the privilege of being a "teacher's aide" under the "CETA" program. Because of my background I was a language arts assistant, working with ALL sorts of kids on their writing skills. I had small groups and individuals and worked with each teacher to develop the ways in which I might be most effective. It was the best job I'd ever had and I really was developing a program for the school. The funding was dropped, naturally, so it was a one year job. I made about $7.00/hour, but I had insurance and I worked during the summer as whatever they wanted--a math tutor in the high school summer school. that was fine with me.
Now I am fifty-five, have been a professional writer for universities and some large nonprofits, but would love to return to the work I love. I want to start a nonprofit program that helps kids with learning and homework skills, that helps PARENTS learn how to work with their own children. To work with the forgotten kids-- the ones whose parent(s) work so many hours they don't have the time to give to their kids they might like. The kids who are NOT labeled as having "special needs" but who would benefit from someone guiding them with homework, with organization and study skills, with a bit of drill on the backs and that reinforcement of an adult who tells them they are doing FINE.
So I began to research the field and realized that people have not used what pathetic monies there are for paraprofessional educators--all of the focus is on children with "special needs" and on pre-school and early childhood. I believe that a true profession of paraprofessionals in education could be an answer to many problems facing children in public schools, facing TEACHERS as well. I am thoroughly appalled at the lack of formal training for TUTORING. Working with individuals and small groups, keying in to individual learning styles and types of intelligence, understanding the dynamics in one-on-one work and small group work--these things call on skills that are different from teaching, often. There could be a two-year, or even a one-year certificate program for people with two and four-year degrees that would offer focus on whatever aspects of being a learning professional we chose. That could overlap with some of the existing areas, yes, but we could focus on the types of intelligence and how they translate into learning styles--how we can work to those individualized styles. We could focus on the curriculum goals for transitional grades--third or fourth grades, the transition into middle school, how to help kids prepare for cumulative tests.
There is so much that teachers can no longer address because of the increased pressure to have children do well on tests, that a trained professional could offer.
Yet it looks as if I was paid far better, proportionally, when I was an aid in the seventies than trained paraprofessionals are today. It is appalling. I don't know how successful one person like me can be in trying to offer help that doesn't cost parents $50/hour or more, with only $10-11/hour going to the person working with their children. It seems to me that, even at the part-time level of employment, we should be able to offer paraprofessionals $15-20/hour. Yes, less than starting teachers in this state, but something that is commensurate with the training and good work that paraprofessionals do.
I'm a dreamer. It just is such a shame for the field to lose good people because we do not value the people we ask to be responsible for the futures of our children. ALL our children. To those of you who wrote in or who read all these things, please know that some of us DO see that you have been under-compensate and WAY undervalued for too long.
For what it is worth, I think it is a crime that a) paraprofessionals are paid squat, and b) there are no uniform, real requirements for people who work so closely with children and who do so much FOR them. I have begun research into working with several organizations to create a career track that makes some sense. I believe that paraprofessionals--tutors who work with small groups, who teach valuable study skills, who understand learning styles and can tune in to how individual kids learn.. or DON'T learn, will be more and more necessary. I have no idea whether I will succeed, but I have begun trying, and hope to be able to devote most of my time to doing so for the next year. Fancy learning centers are no answer to most kids' needs--I think all of YOU are the answer. Thank you for your hard work, despite the few benefits.
In order to be certified as a Paraprofessional in CT you need two years of college OR you need to take the ParaPro test . A point of interest is that there is no certificate sent to you in the mail stating that you are certified. Note that it is only for Title One programs that this is a requirement.
For those of us who have a four year degree, and were not reguired to take the test and are not in Title One program, there is no certication that covers us. I am constantly amazed that there are paras in this state with no health insurance, no pension plans. If I were to join the custodial staff and cut the grass or work in the office anwsering the phone, I would have paid health insurance and a pension. But because I work with the students, I pay for my health insurance and have no pension. The certification issue did not result in upgrading the job for what it is. I am seriously job hunting because after 11 years of service, I make $1.43 more an hour than someone hired this year. Just to illustrate the problem, my starting salary was $13,500 and after 11 years it is $16,500. I no longer get an hourly increase each year just a longevity check of $350.
I just received my assignment for this year and once again I am a one to one with a high needs case. I love my job because it is rewarding to coach students and not have to deal with a ton of paperwork or hand out grades but I can't pay my oil bill. So I will be leaving the field. I
The only suggestion that I can come up with is that the state of CT needs a program where paras at least can attend state colleges at a reduced rate so that this job could lead to certification. That would give them highly motivated candiates for the job.
by Anonymous (not verified) - 12/19/2010 - 10:23am
That really is a joke. I was a custodian for a public school system, when I left, I was making $42,000 a year. The job is not hard, sometimes shoveling the snow can be hard, but for the most part, it is cake. For an eight hour position, it only takes five hours. I also think that custodians should take drug tests. Custodians work around students and I am pretty sure there are custodial staff that use drugs. In a few months, I will have my associates. For a society that stresses higher education, it seems like it doesn't always pay. After my degree, I will make a lot less money than working as a custodian in the public school system. I think the balence is way off and should be re evaluated.
I've been on the band wagon for further education for paraprofessionals. It seems that we are constantly finding out info after the fact. It would be nice to have an official certification program for paras who would like to further their education but not become a certified special ed teacher. There is grant monies available for us to continue our education to become a certified teacher - but not to become a certified paraprofessional
There has been some legislative action concerning these issues - NCLB, para certification, parapro test. If you are in a union, you could get the info from them. If you are not in a union, or your union stinks - you might want to get into a good one. The unions that are para proactive seem to have all the latest info about education and improving our paychecks so that a paraprofessional can raise a family on her salary. They talk directly with our legislatures to get us affordable education and to allow us to stay within our field.
''Happy Helping"
You mentioned that there is money available to help paras become certified teachers and yet I hit a road block at every turn. The only Grant money that I could find was only available to paras that worked in New Haven, Hartford, Bridgeport or Waterbury. The only alternative certification available is for those who already hold a bachelor's debree. I have 60+ college credits and have been a para for 10 years....shouldn't that experience count for something? If you or anyone knows of any programs available for regular or spec. ed. alternative cerification programs PLEASE, let me know. (I have worked in Meriden, a mid-size urban district for all of the time I have been a para and would gladly agree to give them my time after certification.)
I have been interested in becoming a paraproffesional and am a substitute already but wanted to go for teaching certification. How would I find out about grabts already have bachelors. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks In Advance
by Anonymous (not verified) - 07/05/2007 - 12:49pm
I was tracking with everything you mentioned in your post. I am new to the field and I am amazed at the low pay, low benefits and non-existent way to better ourselves. I do think having some way to take courses, and have them paid for would help. The job that we do is getting more and more complicated. We get the difficult cases of children to teach on a daily basis. Often the teachers leave us pretty much in charge of coming up with modified lessons to present.
Maybe we should become state employees so that we can have the benefits and payscale.
I don't think they are thinking fast enough to keep up with the demands that are put on us each day. I just finished a long-term sub position (Feb-June) at $9.49 and hour and no benefits.
I wonder if there are any changes in the wings for the future of this profession.
I don't have a job yet, but I
I don't have a job yet, but I live in Hartford and the para need in HPS is high, from what I hear. I took the para test
via ETS website for $45, and it's really just general reading, writing, and math knowledge. Piece of cake. Even if the testing site is an hour away, its worth it.
Don't go to an online school and pay tuition when you can pay $45 and maybe $10 for gas and be certified in 2 hours.
Theres even a practice test on the ETS website, and you'd be surprised how close some of the testing sites can be. Good luck and happy teaching!
If you have recently taken
If you have recently taken the college placement test does that mean you still have to take the paraprofessional test?
I am interested in becoming a
I am interested in becoming a paraprofessional but am not sure how to go about it. I have a friend who works out of state who doesn't have a degree in education whatsoever and she took a test and became a paraprofessional with just her experience. She has recommended that I do the same. I am a mother of three and have worked in the early childhood field for 18 years. I was also the Asst. Director of a daycare center for 10yrs. I have 12 credits in ECE. Is it possible that I could take a ParaPro. test somewhere to get certification for this? I would appreciate any advice. Thanks.
I am currently enrolled with
I am currently enrolled with Kaplan university. I take 1 class a week it fits in to my schedule. You can also take an exam if you google it. The issue with the exam is that they only have 2 a year and in my case it is a 2 hour drive from my house to the closest place for the exam.
University of Phoenix has an
University of Phoenix has an Associate of Arts with a concentration in Paraprofessional Education degree. They have campuses all over or you can take the classes online. They are a regionally and nationally accredited school. Hope this can help someone.
Hi, can anyone tell me how
Hi, can anyone tell me how hard the parapro test is, or any advice? I will taking this test in the spring. Any help is greatly appreciated!
The
The http://www.ets.org/parapro/faq website has information about the test and tools for you to prepare for the test.
Take the practice test. Then see where you need to review. You should be fine.
It can be easily passed.
It can be easily passed. Don't worry about it.
What content areas do they
What content areas do they test you on?
I am a part time para , I
I am a part time para , I need help please , trying to find a class to pass the exam for the paraprofessional everywhere I have called has eliminated there programs because of the economy.
toward a true paraprofessional/paraeducator field
Many years ago i had the privilege of being a "teacher's aide" under the "CETA" program. Because of my background I was a language arts assistant, working with ALL sorts of kids on their writing skills. I had small groups and individuals and worked with each teacher to develop the ways in which I might be most effective. It was the best job I'd ever had and I really was developing a program for the school. The funding was dropped, naturally, so it was a one year job. I made about $7.00/hour, but I had insurance and I worked during the summer as whatever they wanted--a math tutor in the high school summer school. that was fine with me.
Now I am fifty-five, have been a professional writer for universities and some large nonprofits, but would love to return to the work I love. I want to start a nonprofit program that helps kids with learning and homework skills, that helps PARENTS learn how to work with their own children. To work with the forgotten kids-- the ones whose parent(s) work so many hours they don't have the time to give to their kids they might like. The kids who are NOT labeled as having "special needs" but who would benefit from someone guiding them with homework, with organization and study skills, with a bit of drill on the backs and that reinforcement of an adult who tells them they are doing FINE.
So I began to research the field and realized that people have not used what pathetic monies there are for paraprofessional educators--all of the focus is on children with "special needs" and on pre-school and early childhood. I believe that a true profession of paraprofessionals in education could be an answer to many problems facing children in public schools, facing TEACHERS as well. I am thoroughly appalled at the lack of formal training for TUTORING. Working with individuals and small groups, keying in to individual learning styles and types of intelligence, understanding the dynamics in one-on-one work and small group work--these things call on skills that are different from teaching, often. There could be a two-year, or even a one-year certificate program for people with two and four-year degrees that would offer focus on whatever aspects of being a learning professional we chose. That could overlap with some of the existing areas, yes, but we could focus on the types of intelligence and how they translate into learning styles--how we can work to those individualized styles. We could focus on the curriculum goals for transitional grades--third or fourth grades, the transition into middle school, how to help kids prepare for cumulative tests.
There is so much that teachers can no longer address because of the increased pressure to have children do well on tests, that a trained professional could offer.
Yet it looks as if I was paid far better, proportionally, when I was an aid in the seventies than trained paraprofessionals are today. It is appalling. I don't know how successful one person like me can be in trying to offer help that doesn't cost parents $50/hour or more, with only $10-11/hour going to the person working with their children. It seems to me that, even at the part-time level of employment, we should be able to offer paraprofessionals $15-20/hour. Yes, less than starting teachers in this state, but something that is commensurate with the training and good work that paraprofessionals do.
I'm a dreamer. It just is such a shame for the field to lose good people because we do not value the people we ask to be responsible for the futures of our children. ALL our children. To those of you who wrote in or who read all these things, please know that some of us DO see that you have been under-compensate and WAY undervalued for too long.
toward certification
For what it is worth, I think it is a crime that a) paraprofessionals are paid squat, and b) there are no uniform, real requirements for people who work so closely with children and who do so much FOR them. I have begun research into working with several organizations to create a career track that makes some sense. I believe that paraprofessionals--tutors who work with small groups, who teach valuable study skills, who understand learning styles and can tune in to how individual kids learn.. or DON'T learn, will be more and more necessary. I have no idea whether I will succeed, but I have begun trying, and hope to be able to devote most of my time to doing so for the next year. Fancy learning centers are no answer to most kids' needs--I think all of YOU are the answer. Thank you for your hard work, despite the few benefits.
Certification in CT
In order to be certified as a Paraprofessional in CT you need two years of college OR you need to take the ParaPro test . A point of interest is that there is no certificate sent to you in the mail stating that you are certified. Note that it is only for Title One programs that this is a requirement.
For those of us who have a four year degree, and were not reguired to take the test and are not in Title One program, there is no certication that covers us. I am constantly amazed that there are paras in this state with no health insurance, no pension plans. If I were to join the custodial staff and cut the grass or work in the office anwsering the phone, I would have paid health insurance and a pension. But because I work with the students, I pay for my health insurance and have no pension. The certification issue did not result in upgrading the job for what it is. I am seriously job hunting because after 11 years of service, I make $1.43 more an hour than someone hired this year. Just to illustrate the problem, my starting salary was $13,500 and after 11 years it is $16,500. I no longer get an hourly increase each year just a longevity check of $350.
I just received my assignment for this year and once again I am a one to one with a high needs case. I love my job because it is rewarding to coach students and not have to deal with a ton of paperwork or hand out grades but I can't pay my oil bill. So I will be leaving the field. I
The only suggestion that I can come up with is that the state of CT needs a program where paras at least can attend state colleges at a reduced rate so that this job could lead to certification. That would give them highly motivated candiates for the job.
That really is a joke. I was
That really is a joke. I was a custodian for a public school system, when I left, I was making $42,000 a year. The job is not hard, sometimes shoveling the snow can be hard, but for the most part, it is cake. For an eight hour position, it only takes five hours. I also think that custodians should take drug tests. Custodians work around students and I am pretty sure there are custodial staff that use drugs. In a few months, I will have my associates. For a society that stresses higher education, it seems like it doesn't always pay. After my degree, I will make a lot less money than working as a custodian in the public school system. I think the balence is way off and should be re evaluated.
Connecticut Certification & continuing Education
Hi there,
I've been on the band wagon for further education for paraprofessionals. It seems that we are constantly finding out info after the fact. It would be nice to have an official certification program for paras who would like to further their education but not become a certified special ed teacher. There is grant monies available for us to continue our education to become a certified teacher - but not to become a certified paraprofessional
There has been some legislative action concerning these issues - NCLB, para certification, parapro test. If you are in a union, you could get the info from them. If you are not in a union, or your union stinks - you might want to get into a good one. The unions that are para proactive seem to have all the latest info about education and improving our paychecks so that a paraprofessional can raise a family on her salary. They talk directly with our legislatures to get us affordable education and to allow us to stay within our field.
''Happy Helping"
You mentioned that there is
You mentioned that there is money available to help paras become certified teachers and yet I hit a road block at every turn. The only Grant money that I could find was only available to paras that worked in New Haven, Hartford, Bridgeport or Waterbury. The only alternative certification available is for those who already hold a bachelor's debree. I have 60+ college credits and have been a para for 10 years....shouldn't that experience count for something? If you or anyone knows of any programs available for regular or spec. ed. alternative cerification programs PLEASE, let me know. (I have worked in Meriden, a mid-size urban district for all of the time I have been a para and would gladly agree to give them my time after certification.)
Thanks,
Dawn
I have been interested in
I have been interested in becoming a paraproffesional and am a substitute already but wanted to go for teaching certification. How would I find out about grabts already have bachelors. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks In Advance
Professionalism
I was tracking with everything you mentioned in your post. I am new to the field and I am amazed at the low pay, low benefits and non-existent way to better ourselves. I do think having some way to take courses, and have them paid for would help. The job that we do is getting more and more complicated. We get the difficult cases of children to teach on a daily basis. Often the teachers leave us pretty much in charge of coming up with modified lessons to present.
Maybe we should become state employees so that we can have the benefits and payscale.
I don't think they are thinking fast enough to keep up with the demands that are put on us each day. I just finished a long-term sub position (Feb-June) at $9.49 and hour and no benefits.
I wonder if there are any changes in the wings for the future of this profession.
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