BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Bellingham, Washington

December 2, 2002

M E M O R A N D U M

TO: Special Education Instructional Assistants

FROM: Nora Klewiada and Jeanette Herrera

SUBJECT: Paraeducator Core Competencies

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction defines a paraeducator as a school employee who works under the supervision of a certificated/licensed staff member to support and assist in providing instructional and other services to children and youth with disabilities, and their families. WAC 392-172-200 states:

Classified staff shall present evidence of either formal and/or adequate in-service training or successful experience in working with special education students.

Instructional assistants working in the special education programs of Bellingham Public Schools have been able to meet the mandate for Paraeducator Core Competencies 1 – 11 through the following: 1) attending classes sponsored by the District; and/or, 2) signature of their supervising teacher verifying through observation or interview that the instructional assistant has met the requirements. Thank you for your attendance at these training sessions and your efforts in documenting completion of these competencies.

If you do not have a packet of information (blue folder) addressing Bellingham School District’s process for meeting these requirements, please request a packet from Kim Felder at kfelder@bham.wednet.edu or extension 7766.

This memo addresses the following two (2) issues regarding Paraeducator Core Competencies:

· Alternative methods of meeting Competencies 1-11 through college coursework; and

· Checklists to meet basic level of Competencies 12-14.

Competencies 1-11 through College Coursework

You may meet competencies 1-11 through courses at the following colleges:

· We have reviewed requirements for certification in Paraeducator Core Competencies 1 through 11 from Whatcom Community College and Bellingham Technical College and can accept certificates of completion of these 11 competencies from these colleges. Please submit a copy of your certificate and we will sign off that you have met these competencies.

• Bates Technical College in Tacoma offers an opportunity to meet the requirements through their distance learning program. The in-depth video-based courses are designed to address the recommended Washington State Core Competencies for paraeducators. At this time eight (8) classes are offered through the distance learning program:

Bates Technical College (Continued)

• Beginning Sign Language, ASL 5 credits
• Understanding Diversity 5 credits
• Child Abuse and Neglect 1 credit
• Child Growth and Development 3 credits
• Deafness: Implications for Learning and Life, ASL 1 credit

(must be taken in conjunction with Beginning Sign Language)

• Intro to the Education of Students with Disabilities 3 credits
• School Law 3 credits
• Understanding Human Behavior 5 credits

Tuition and cost of materials for these courses is between $20 (one quarter credit) and $90 (five college credits). Because these classes are for college credit, homework must be turned in and approved prior to receiving credit.

If you wish to be reimbursed for the cost of completed courses, an approved BASE Individual Inservice Request Form (available from school secretaries) is required prior to registration. You will be reimbursed through BASE inservice funds upon completion of the course. If more than one individual registers for a class, the District can coordinate a group study time for students to meet, watch videos, and support each other in homework.

If you are interested in additional information about classes at Bates Technical College, check the website at www.bates.ctc.edu and type “paraeducator” in the search window. You may also contact Jeanette Herrera at jherrera@bham.wednet.edu or at extension 6869 to receive a brochure from Bates Technical College; to preview course material, including videos; for information about reimbursement of tuition; or to discuss the possibility of organizing group study sessions.

Checklist for Basic Level of Competencies 12-14

You can meet the basic requirements of Competencies 12 and 14 and Competency 13 by reviewing the enclosed checklists with your supervising special education teacher and completing the signatures on Page 3. Signature on these checklists verifies that you are aware you cannot perform health-care related duties for students unless those duties have been delegated to you and you have been trained by a licensed Bellingham School District health care provider.

If you are not sure if tasks you perform are health-care duties or that you have received proper training for tasks you are performing, please ask the appropriate certificated health care provider (school nurse, occupational therapist, physical therapist, or speech language pathologist), for clarification.

When you have the required signatures on these documents, please send a copy to Kim Felder in Human Resources.

cc: Sue Thomas

Lucille Nollette

Aileen Cleary

Eleanor Kruzich

Paulette Freeman

Kathy Kraynak

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