Paraprofessionals: What Are They, and What is Their Role in Education?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Paraprofessionals play an essential role in schools that few know about or leverage to advantage. Why do they have such an impact on education?

Paraprofessionals: What Are They, and What is Their Role in Education?
Photo by: Drazen Zigic.
Reading time 3 minutes
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Paraprofessionals play an essential role in schools that few know about or leverage to advantage. Why do they have such an impact on education?

During his term in office, Joe Biden’s education plans include helping paraprofessionals obtain certificates to work in schools and universities and focus on ethnic minorities. Who are these paraprofessionals, and what are their roles in the educational sector?

Paraprofessionals are workers in certain professions who do not hold a bachelor’s degree but have taken the basic courses and graduated from a two-year program to support their peers who have completed the full professional qualifications. These programs lead to an associate’s degree, which builds on the high school diploma. Thirty-seven percent of associate-degree paraprofessionals work only part-time.

Paraprofessionals are most commonly found in the health and education sectors. In the latter, employment opportunities have increased in primary, middle, and secondary schools (high schools), postsecondary education, and Special Education work environments. They are widely employed in schools in the United States and Canada, and some European and Asian countries. In countries such as Japan, Germany, and France, many foreigners work as language paraprofessionals, also known as auxiliary language teachers or language teaching assistants. In the case of England, paraprofessionals in education can solicit a position as a higher-level teaching assistant (HLTA), carrying additional training and having a certification that satisfies a set of specific criteria. By reaching this level, they can substitute for teachers if necessary and supervise other paraeducators.

The role of a paraprofessional in education

A paraprofessional in education can be called a “paraeducator,” a teaching assistant, an instructional assistant, a teacher’s assistant, a classroom assistant, a “parapro,” or a “para.” Paraeducators are teacher assistants who help manage the classroom and students.

The “No Child Left Left Behind” law in the United States expanded the requirements to become a paraprofessional and their duties. Although they cannot practice teaching and must only support the teacher, they play a significant role in supervising students, identifying each child’s skills and interests, and devising the best ways to help him or her. They are also responsible for supplementing the curriculum, providing personalized guidance in classes, supporting special education students, installing equipment, and preparing materials. In doing this, they serve as the connection between students, parents, and teachers.

Having a good teaching assistant can make a big difference in the classroom, even more, if they are enthusiastic. Because they often focus on the student’s individualized educational plan, their performance impacts the student directly. It is common to place paraprofessionals in Special Education classrooms to support students, using strategies that encourage positive student behavior or reorient the children who exhibit negative behavior. If students have physical problems, the paraprofessionals help feed them, take them to the bathroom, or transport them. Paraprofessionals often do not work directly in schools but in the school district, mental health agencies, early childhood programs, or some follow-up agency for students after graduation.

Requirements to be a paraprofessional in education

Although they do not have a college degree, according to the “No Child Left Behind” law, people must satisfy specific requirements to be a paraeducator. In the United States, each state has different requirements; some do not require certifications, although they recommend taking courses in psychology, child development, and learning theory to improve prospects for job and wage opportunities. In some states, the paraeducators must have two years of college education or an associate’s degree, meet quality standards, and pass an evaluation. Biden has announced that he wants to support that last point so that more people obtain their certification as paraprofessionals.

These requirements distinguish paraeducators from other school workers, such as those responsible for food or cleaning the facilities. Paraeducators are sought who have skills working with children and enjoy being with them, maintaining positive and encouraging attitudes. Paraprofessionals often learn these skills on the job and receive additional training throughout their careers.

Paraprofessionals salary ranges

In the United States, according to 2021 data from ZipRecruiter, among the states that pay the least is in North Carolina, where paraprofessionals earn $23,328 a year, or $11.22 an hour. The best state to work as a paraprofessional is in Wyoming, having the highest average salary of $16.10 an hour ($33,490 per year). Significantly, this state has a very active paraprofessional labor market, as there are currently many companies hiring for this type of function in their various areas. ZipRecruiter reports $30,977 as the overall average annual salary. According to its portal, only six states are above that average: Wyoming, Massachusetts, Montana, Arizona, Hawaii, and Indiana.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, a paraeducator’s average salary in 2019 was $27,920. Although geographic location does affect this, wages also depend on the employer, work duties, and the paraeducator’s experience, training, and skills.

The new president of the United States, Joe Biden, recognizes paraeducators’ potential and seeks to support them to obtain an educator certificate. Their roles in teaching are not static; they are constantly evolving. They have more and more responsibilities; little by little, they stop being simple assistants to become a key part of the classroom.

Paraprofessionals play an important role in schools and help make classrooms more inclusive. They add another layer of support to the school, allowing them to have more individual support opportunities. When students, teachers, families, and most of all, educational institutions and governments accept paraprofessionals as key members of the academic team, everyone will benefit.

Translation by Daniel Wetta.

Paulette Delgado

This article from Observatory of the Institute for the Future of Education may be shared under the terms of the license CC BY-NC-SA 4.0