OVERVIEW OF THE PARAEDUCATION PROGRAM

Paraeducators constitute an important and significant portion of instructional delivery to all students. Legislative requirements and expanding paraeducator responsibilities increase the need to identify competencies required for this much needed professional in the classroom. This program was designed in cooperation with a statewide consortium to provide the paraprofessional with appropriate coursework, skills, and experience to meet the growing need as mandated by the “No child left behind” (NCLB) initiative. Fairmont State is one of the leading institutions in providing this curriculum from the certificate level as Teacher’s Aide to the associate degree in Education, as required by the NCLB mandate.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN PARAEDUCATION

State requirements, coupled with NCLB and the “Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 1997 (IDEA) require that states provide fully qualified paraprofessional personnel to work with children with special needs, and to assist the teacher in instructional delivery in today’s classroom. Schools across the nation are gearing up to meet these mandates. Current Teacher’s Aides, as well as emerging paraprofessionals are preparing themselves with the necessary educational background to qualify for these positions. The current and projected need for the Para educator in West Virginia as well as across the country will remain high as county school systems comply with federal mandates.