Sue Thomas, Director, Special Education

David Frick, Instructional Assistant, Geneva

Sue Dunn, Instructional Assistant, Kulshan

Nora Klewiada, Executive Director, Human Resources

Jeanette Herrera, Personnel Manager

SUBJECT: Paraeducator Core Competencies

WAC 392-271-200, addressing paraeducator core competencies, went into effect January 1, 2000. The competencies address the knowledge and skills that paraeducators must demonstrate in order to work with students with disabilities. It states “Classified Staff shall present evidence of skills and knowledge necessary to meet the needs of students with disabilities . . .” These competencies are also addressed in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The 14 core competencies apply to all instructional assistants working with students with disabilities in educational settings. Although the legislation does not address instructional assistants who do not work with students with disabilities, Bellingham School District will make the training available to all interested instructional assistants. Priority for attendance will be given to those instructional assistants who work with students with disabilities. Washington State’s recommendation is that paraeducators have three years from January 1, 2000, or three years from the date of hire, whichever is later, to meet the competencies. We are recommending that the first six competencies be verified by the end of the 2001-02 school year.

There are three ways to meet the core competency requirements:

1. Class: Successfully complete a class that specifically addresses one or more of the 14 core competencies;

2. Observation: Demonstrate the required skills to your supervising teacher or the building/program administrator; and

3. Interview: Show evidence of your knowledge of the competencies through an interview with your supervising teacher or the building/program administrator.

Beginning in February 2000, District-sponsored classes to fulfill the competencies have been offered at no expense to employees. Additional classes are offered through ESD 189, and there is a registration fee for these classes. We are in the process of confirming and recording the specific competencies instructional assistants have met by attending classes. If you are uncertain about whether you have met a competency through these classes, please call Jeanette Herrera at extension 6869.

During the 2001-02 school year, the additional options of observation and interview will be available as alternate methods to meet the competencies. Supervisors or building/program administrators must sign off on a competency verifying that they have either observed you demonstrate the required skill or interviewed you and verified your knowledge of the competency. It is the District’s and the joint BASE paraeducator core competencies committee’s recommendation that employees with less than three years of experience as a special education instructional assistant take the classes. Since there are alternative methods of meeting competencies, class attendance is not required.

Please use the enclosed Paraeducator Documentation Form to track competencies as they are completed. Following the signature lines on the form is a list of the performance indicators for that particular competency. Verification of successful completion of classes will be provided and sent to Human Resources by the instructor. It is your responsibility to obtain the signature verifying completion of the competency by observation or interview. Each time you have been checked off on a competency, send a copy of the document to the Human Resources Office. When you have completed all 14 competencies and obtained the additional signatures on the last page, send the original of the form to Human Resources for signature by the Executive Director. The original will be placed in your personnel file.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call or e-mail Jeanette Herrera.

cc: All Administrators