Shocked--Job eliminated

Help! Our local district (in WI) just informed about 26 of us (by certified mail!) that our positions have been "eliminated" because we do not have an associate degree/2 yrs. of college credits required by 2006 under the new NCLB Act. Anyone who meets the requirement is not laid off. (a total of 5, although they are not necessarily educational degrees...) We were told last Fall that we could either take some kind of test, or attend workshops, etc. to meet the requirements. Has anyone else experienced similiar treatment by their district?! How can this be LEGAL?!! Our union has been nofified, of course, and I expect this to heat up. Our administrators are using this as an excuse to "clean house"; it's not the degree issue at all. They do not want to deal with test assessments, etc. What are other districts in Wisconsin doing? Can anyone give me input/advice as to what course of action your district is taking regarding this issue? We are angry, confused, shocked, upset (a few appropriate adjectives) to say the least. Most of us have 5-15 years experience in our jobs and have spent countless hours at workshops, seminars, courses (taken on our own initiative) and are dedicated to our students and love our jobs. I would appreciate any input...please! :cry:

Work Keys

I have taken and passed the Work Keys test however other paras in my classroom have not. There hasn't been anything said to any of us about having to pass the test. I am afraid for the paras that I work with. Does anyone know why we are not being pushed to get this done? Are they just going to lay off people with no notice? Or should we just figure that since we are all still working that somehow they have been Grandfathered in? And how is it that we are hiring new people to this day who have not taken the test? Is the law not in effect yet? If so when does it start?

Shocked--Job eliminated

The reason you have been laid of is because of the No Child Left behind law that our goverment passed a few years ago. There is a way around all of this. You can take a test called the para-pro assement. The test is not that difficult to pass. There are study guides on the web for this. Your school can even give you the test on sight via. Internet. Just search the web for the para-pro infomation. I know in Oklahoma and Texas it worked for the aids. I hope all works out for you . God Bless, If you can not find any info email me at ljerri@yahoo.com and I will help you.

math

they have different ways to write out word problems and different ways to solve it.

Shocked job elimination

I also took the para pro assesment test a couple of years ago. We were told that you either had to have a 2 year associates degree or better or pass the para pro assesment test by a certain date ( I don't remember what that date was). I also took it on line at my place of work. It was not a difficult test to take. What I don't understand is... Did they not inform you of the test? If not I would be asking why. Oh and by the way it can be taken more than once. I only needed to take it once but I thought you should know that if you don't pass it you can retake the test.

Shocked--Job eliminated

Suzanne, Are you affiliated with NEA/WEA? They have been Way out ahead in your state with a certification program for all support personnel. You might get help there. Also, is your district ahead of the rest of the world on their calendar? My calendar says 2003, not January 8, 2006! Also, isn't there an approved test that you can take to meet the requirements in your state? Most states have developed and approved one or more tests to meet the qualifications. For example, Michigan immediately approved the Basic Skills Teacher Certification Test given to education majors at the end of their 2nd year of college for parapro qualification. They are in the process of approvving another test, Work Keys as an alternative to the 1st test. Nina Boyers Jackson Paraprofessional Association Jackson, MI

Job elimination

Suzanne, What your district has done is totally not right!!! Your union should be filing an immediate grievance. According to the No Child Left Behind Act, all paraprofessionals have until Jan 2006 to either complete a an associates degree or take a district approved assessment. From what I have heard I think most states are offering a test that is put out by the ETS company. I took the test in April and passed. It was not hard at all. There is no way your school district can lay you off because you have not completed the requirements. According to government law we have until Jan. 2006. Your union should have their lawyers fighting this tooth and nail. I am from Rhode Island. Post again on how you are doing.

Shocked--Job eliminated

:) Thankyou Nina and Maria for responding! It was encouraging to hear from you both. Stay tuned regarding this situation...it's not over yet. We have become very pro-active and are in the grievance process as I speak. I will keep you posted...meanwhile school starts soon, but unfortunately we won't be there to greet our students on that first day... :( Enjoy the rest of your summer! P.S. I am so fortunate to have found this website; can't tell you how helpful it's been! Suzanne

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