Para E-link Training

Posted April 26, 2003 - 7:35am by Bluedog
I'm hearing a lot about this Para Pro Test that many paras in other states are taking. Do you receive an associate's degree for this or does this just qualify you to meet the rigorous standard to keep your job? A group of us in MN are taking course called Para E-link which is mostly done on computer. We are in the process of completing a portfolio which consists of eight competencies. We get through about one a month so this course will take us through December. We started it in February and many of us were amazed at the areas we had to cover. We take one big test per competency with worksheets and assignments in between. This training does not give us an associate's degree but quaifies us to meet the rigorous training through formal assessment. Many of us were upset at first but are now grateful that University of MN developed this training and we are one of the pilot programs testing it out. I know many states out there haven't even drawn one up yet, so I'm glad we're getting ours over with now. We are also getting a stipend for it. It isn't much for the time we are putting into it but at least we didn't have to pay for it ourselves. If you want to check out what we are doing just go to www.paraelink.net Are there any other paras out there taking this particular course of training or anything similar to it? I see many taking this Para Pro test. What areas does it cover?
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para pro test

by maria - 07/05/2003 - 9:44am
Hi, I took the test right at our school district. They have been offering the test periodically. I took the computer version. What I did to help me with the math is I went to my local Staples store and they have a section where they sell math and english workbooks for all grades. I bought the 5th, 6th, and 7th grade math books to go over. But I can't say it enough again about ordering the ETS study guide. It is WELL WORTH THE $25.00! The guide is what is on the test. If you go to the ETS web site they have the 800 number to call. Post again how you are going.

hi

by swymmer2 - 06/29/2003 - 12:44pm
where did you take the test? maria

From Idaho

by boovert - 05/15/2003 - 5:07pm
Hi, I'm from Idaho and my school district is just now starting to think about the paraprofessional training that is required. No one here knows about how to take the ETS Parapro Assessment or even what to do. From asking around to other parapro's they don't really care what will happen. I'm the only one that will be taking online courses through the College of Southern Idaho. I will have to pay for eveything myself. This college has a grant in which it will pay half of some of the things I need but that still doesn't really help much. Plus you must be a current employee to get this grant but the school district is cutting jobs next year. Not sure if I will still have a job. Does anyone know how I should go about taking the ETS parapro test? Anyway, I want to know if You guys think that a school district should tell parapro's what they need to do or at least pay for some of the cost of college classes or something? :roll:

Parapro test

by maria - 04/30/2003 - 2:40pm
Hi, The parapro test takes about an hour but you have 2-1/2 hours to do it in. The ETS study guide has everything this test is about. There is reading, English(adverbs etc.) math(fractions, percentages) etc. I can't say enough about studying the study guide cover to cover and doing the practice test in the back of the book. If you can pass the test in the book you will do fine on the test. I got the highest score you can get 480 and I have been out of high school for 31 years. I was scared stiff but after going over the study guide I felt confindent. I got all the math right and I was never very good in math. I would say I had been studying for about a month. Good luck and post how you are doing. I am from Rhode Island.

I was the same way. Been out

by Anonymous (not verified) - 08/24/2009 - 12:25pm

I was the same way. Been out of high school for 18 years and was worried I didn't remember all the stuff. I purchased ebook paraproffessional assesment study guide online and studied that for 2 days. I was very scared to complete the test and see the results. But much to my surprise I scored a 475... Was really excited.

ParaPro Subject Areas

by Bluedog - 04/28/2003 - 5:42pm
What subject areas does the ParaPro test cover? How long does the test take? How long did you have to study for it? Did you know ahead of time what areas it covered? This is sure something totally different than what we are doing in MN. Are many states using the ParaPro test? I haven't heard of any others working with something similar to the Para E-link. We are the pilot group doing it here so they'll see what's working and what's not with us. It's amazing how each state is deciding what qualifies as "rigorous training through assessment" to help us to keep our jobs. Going from taking one big test and taking eight months of training is quite a range of difference. I can't believe all the areas we have covered so far. We just finished with special education and we are now doing classroom obervations using methods we learned through Para E-link. Many of us have done these but we're learning what's really behind them. It's very time consuming but I think in the long run we are really going to benefit from this extra long training. I guess we can consider ourselves lucky that we have the tests and training available to us to now. They're are still many states trying to draw them up. I'm glad I don't have to wait any longer.

Parapro test

by maria - 04/26/2003 - 8:51am
Hi, When you take and pass the parapro test it fulfills the requirements of passing a rigorous test. You will not have an asssociate's degree after taking the test but you will have met your requirements. In my school district mostly everyone is taking the test. No one wants to spend the time and money it would take to get an associates. I just took the test and got the highest score you can get. The test was not bad at all. I am so glad it's done! If you purchase the ETS study guide, study that cover to cover, you can pass. ETS is the company that puts out the test. Good luck and post how you are doing!

scores in other states?

by Tina (not verified) - 08/25/2007 - 3:24pm

Does anyone know the passing score for the state of Alaska? Moving there and need to know. Thanks!

Para pro

by Anonymous (not verified) - 02/23/2008 - 1:54pm

Can you tell me where to purchase the ETS study guide?

Cna anyone tell me what is

by candace (not verified) - 06/13/2008 - 5:35pm

Cna anyone tell me what is the lowset score you can make

how to become a parapro in the state of GA

by marcellea (not verified) - 10/13/2008 - 9:30pm

I would like to become a parapro but,I don't know what all I have to do in order to do that.I hear about this test but,what I want to know is if you pass this test does that get you your license to become a parapro or will I have to do anything else.How much on the average does a parapro make?I want to become a parapro because I have always loved school,kids and everything about it.I see that the teachers jobs are hard and I feel that I can ease their workload.Can someone please tell me how to go about becoming a teachers aid?thanks

Hi:  I spoke with our local

by Anonymous (not verified) - 08/24/2010 - 6:30am

Hi:  I spoke with our local district and they offer it once a year in the summer.  I had asked if para elink trained get paid the same as someone with a 2  year degree and they told me that the 2 year degree start at a higher wage.  Does anyone have an actual experience?

Thanks

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