Georgia Professional Standards Commission TeachGeorgia

Georgia/ESEA Paraprofessional Initiative

Certification Requirements for Georgia Paraprofessionals

Initial Certification Requirements

(Five-year certificate validity)
  • Employed as a paraprofessional in a Georgia school system
  • Hold at least an Associate's Degree (in any subject); or
    have completed two years of college coursework (60 semester hours); or
    have passed the GACE paraprofessional assessment. If eligibility is established through assessment, the applicant must also hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
  • Pass a criminal record check
  • Employing school system applies for certificate

Renewal Certification Requirements
  • Employed as a paraprofessional in a Georgia school system
  • Earn 6 semesters hours or 10 quarter hours of college course work, or 10 Professional Learning Units (PLUs), or 10 credits of Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
  • Pass a criminal record check
  • Employing school system applies for certificate

Testing information for Georgia Paraprofessionals

Paraprofessionals working in Georgia must meet a rigorous standard of quality and demonstrate, through coursework or assessment:

  • Knowledge of, and ability to assist in instructing, reading , writing, and mathematics; or
  • Knowledge of, and ability to assist in instructing, reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness, as appropriate

GA Paraprofessional Assessment

Administered July 2002 – November 2002

Passing score: 75

ETS Paraprofessional Assessment

Accepted in Georgia until March 1, 2007 *

Passing score: 456
* The GACE® Paraprofessional Assessment will become available November 2006; however, the PSC will still accept passing scores on the ETS ParaPro Assessment until March 1, 2007.

Click here for GACE® Parapro Assessment Information.

NCLB Requirements – Highly Qualified Paraprofessionals
  • Completion of at least 2 years of study at an institution of higher education; or
  • An Associate’s (or higher) degree; or
  • Meet a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate through formal state or local assessment

Applies to paraprofessionals

 Notes for NCLB Requirements in GA

Hired after January 8, 2002 and employed in a Title I School-wide school working with instruction, regardless of funding source

 GA requirements extend NCLB intstructional paraprofessional requirements to translators.

Hired with Title I funds in a Targeted Assisted school who works with instruction

 GA requirements extend NCLB intstructional paraprofessional requirements to paraprofessional engaged only in parental involvement activities.

Paraprofessionals hired prior to January 8, 2002 in the above-defined schools had four years after the date of enactment of NCLB to meet the new federal requirements. (This extension period ended June 2006)

 New paraprofessional certification rules have been enacted in GA; see the notes below.


Last Modified 7/8/2008
 
 
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