Professional Educator Standards Board

A-Z Topic Index

You are here: Home / Innovation to policy / Innovation archive / Paraeducator pilot program

Paraeducator pilot program

This pilot has concluded. A final report will be published by November 1, 2019. 

To learn about pilot updates, see the pilot midterm report, published January 2019.

The Paraeducator Board is seeking proposals from Washington State school districts and Educational Service Districts (ESD) to pilot the paraeducator state standards of practice and the professional development certificates. This is a one year grant with funding. Districts interested in applying for this pilot must demonstrate commitment to implementing strategies to achieve the training priorities listed below. Districts’ work will inform broader knowledge and skills that lead to effective programming and program-wide changes to advance paraeducator professional and career development.

During the course of the year, applicants chosen to pilot the programs are required to provide professional development opportunities to paraeducators in their district(s) who are participating in the pilot. Training opportunities must be actively promoted to these paraeducators. At the end of the pilot program, grantees will also be required to submit a final report analyzing outcomes and any recommendations for implementing the Fundamental Course of Study and the chosen paraeducator certificate.

Additionally, awardees are required to participate in the Paraeducator Pilot Work Group as part of accepting the grant. This work group will meet virtually and in person to share their progress with PESB, and to discuss implementation approaches of the Fundamental Course of Study and certificate programs.

For more information see the Paraeducator Pilot Grant Application Packet (Document), additionally please review the resources at the bottom of this page.

Who May Apply

A Washington public school district, a district led district consortium, and ESDs in partnership with Washington public school districts. District consortiums may only submit one application.

Requirements

PESB requires potential applicants to carefully review this list prior to submitting a proposal. District consortiums between districts or organized by an ESD must make sure all districts meet these requirements. Successful proposals will reflect these activities in their project narrative, addressing the following:

  • Paraeducators participating in the pilot must complete the Fundamental Course of Study;
  • Once a paraeducator has completed the Fundamental Course of Study, paraeducators must be trained in the application’s chosen certificate;
  • District/district consortiums must create facilitator guides to train paraeducators. Awarded districts are expected to submit supplemental curricular materials developed for the pilot to PESB;
  • Provide extensive support to paraeducators during the pilot study to complete training in the Fundamental Course of Study and certificate;
  • Paraeducators who participate in the pilot are to create an account with e-certification, and districts will provide assistance to paraeducators to complete this process, if necessary; and
  • Attendance and full participation in work group meetings by district or district consortium lead contact.

Pilot Key Dates

The dates that follow after the proposal submission deadline are tentative and subject to change. If a change is necessary, awardees will be notified well in advance.

Mar 26, 2018           Grant begins accepting applications

April 11, 2018          Informational webinar (A recording is available on request)

Apr 30, 2018            Proposals due by 8:00am on this day, no extensions

May 25, 2018           Awardees announced

Jun 01, 2018            Paraeducator Pilot Work Group meets virtually

Sep 01, 2018            Grant funds distributed by this date

Oct 5, 2018              Paraeducator Pilot Work Group meets in-person

Dec 12 2018             Paraeducator Pilot Work Group meets virtually

Jan 15, 2019            Midway pilot grant report due

Jan 24, 2019            Paraeducator Pilot Work Group meets in-person

Aug 31, 2019            Final analysis reports due

Sep 06, 2019           Paraeducator Pilot Work Group meets in-person

Resources