Paraprofessional Certification

A Paraprofessional is an individual, employed by a Local Education Agency (LEA), who provides instructional support or assistance.

Education Service Center, Region 20 offers a four-day workshop aligned with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (formally known as “No Child Left Behind”) enacted on December 15, 2015, which meets the requirements for highly qualified paraprofessionals. This paraprofessional course provides scientifically based research strategies to assist in reading, writing, and math instruction as required in the ESSA.

This workshop is aligned with statewide Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) information and initiatives. Some additional areas of focus include understanding and addressing the roles and responsibilities of a paraprofessional, student diversity, instructional strategies, sheltered instruction and on the job skills. Some of those skills include:

Providing one-on-one tutoring to students
Assisting with classroom management
Providing instruction assistance in a computer lab, media center, or library
Conducting parental involvement activities
Acting as a translator
Providing instructional support services under the direct supervision of a highly qualified teacher (Title I, Section 1119(g)(2))

Education Service Center, Region 20 provides training and technical assistance to districts and charter schools in the areas of:

Programs to support paraprofessionals in meeting the Highly Qualified requirements of ESSA
Effective instructional strategies that support classroom learning, i.e. reading, writing and mathematics

This training is open to any individual who is at least 18 years old and has a high school diploma or GED. If you are interested in attending one of our training sessions, please click the Treasuring Our Paraprofessionals Workshops tab below.

Paraprofessional Workshop Fee

Education Service Center, Region 20 offers a four-day workshop aligned with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (formally known as “No Child Left Behind”) enacted on December 15, 2015, which meets the requirements for highly qualified paraprofessionals. The fee for this four-day workshop is $250. You must attend all four days and pass the final assessment in order to receive certification.

April 15—18, 2024
Session #93749—ZOOM

May 13—16, 2024
Session #99626—ZOOM

June 10—13, 2024
Session #93750—ZOOM

July 15—18, 2024
Session #93752—ZOOM

August 26—29, 2024
Session #93753—ZOOM