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No Child Left Behind Act

Hiring Paraprofessionals

Important information regarding the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

The Federal NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT OF 2001 (NCLB) places eligibility requirements for hiring teachers and paraprofessionals who work in “Title I” schools. Schools are eligible to receive Title I designation and to be eligible for additional Federal funds if a certain percentage of their students receive Federal assistance under such programs as the Free/Reduced Lunch Program.

NCLB Eligibility Requirements

In order to be hired to work as an instructional assistant in a Title I school, the applicant must have either:
  1. obtained an associates degree or higher from an accredited college or university; OR
  2. completed two years of college from an accredited university; OR
  3. demonstrated, through a formal assessment approved by the school district, the ability to assist in instruction AND knowledge of reading, writing, and mathematics.

What constitutes "two years of college or university study?"

For paraprofessionals in Texas, completion of at least 48 semester hours at an accredited college or university will satisfy this requirement.

The law does not specify either a minimum GPA nor a recommended course of study in which the 48 hours must be completed.

Please note that there are many local and Internet-based colleges that offer "associate degrees" to persons who are willing to pay for them.

Most of these businesses offer excellent training opportunities to their "students," and many even have government-approved financial aid available to attend them.

HOWEVER, none of these for-profit companies that may call themselves colleges have met the rigorous standards of the approved regional accreditation associations approved for NCLB purposes.

If I use the "formal assessment" option to meet the eligibility requirements, what tests or training programs will be accepted?

Acceptable scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT) or the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) may by used.

Approved training programs such as those offered by the Regional Education Service Center and area colleges and universities may also be used.

Title I Hiring Supplement

Persons meeting the NCLB eligibility criteria who are hired to work as instructional assistants at a Title I school currently receive a $300 salary supplement, paid once annually.

The renewal of the NCLB supplement is subject to Board approval annually, and is contingent on availability of funds.

NISD Title I schools

Elementary Schools
Middle Schools
High Schools

NCLB eligibility requirements for Instructional Assistants

These requirements are:

  • An Associates Degree or higher OR
  • Two years of college/university study OR
  • Demonstrate through a formal assessment the ability to assist in instruction AND knowledge of reading, writing, and mathematics.

Testing options

All instructional assistants working in Title I schools must meet the eligibility requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act outlined above.

Northside ISD will accept several alternatives to the college hours/degree requirement listed above. The following exams and corresponding passing scores will meet NCLB requirements in Northside:
  • Passing scores on the reading, writing and math sections of the THEA or TASP tests for college admission in Texas
  • Acceptable scores on the SAT pre-college exam (Verbal 500+ and Mathematics 500+ or Combined 1070+)
  • Acceptable scores on the ACT pre-college exam (English 19+ and mathematics 23+ or Composite 23+)
Northside ISD will also accept proof of successful completion of approved paraprofessional training programs, including:
  • 21st Century Learning Paraprofessional Training Program
  • Region 13 and Region 20 Paraprofessional Training Series
  • A State of California and other State approved Paraprofessional Training programs
  • Other training programs that may be approved by NISD HR department that meet the stated requirements of NCLB