Teachers’ aides are sometimes referred to as teaching assistants, paraprofessional educators, para-pros, or instructional assistants. Regardless of the term, these educational professionals require continuing education beyond high school degrees. Teachers’ aides assist classroom teachers, school administrators, and other school officials with student instructional activities.
The educational requirements vary by state; however, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 designates specific educational knowledge that being a teachers’ aide requires. This is due to the interaction with K-12 students on a regular basis. Teachers’ aides’ duties include working directly with students in special education settings, tutoring, and other situations.
Additional duties include working in other areas of education such as a substitute teacher, library aide, alternative school teacher’s aide, in school suspension teacher, detention teacher, after school tutor, and home school teacher.
Teachers Aide Guidelines
The No Child Left Behind federal legislation requires that teacher’ aides are "highly qualified." The definition of highly qualified has been left up to individual states to define, along with the means for measuring qualification.
The United States Department of Education has issued specific duty guidelines regarding teachers aides whose positions are funded under of the federal legislation (Title I, Section 1119(g)(2): Paraprofessional Guidance, US Department of Education, 2004). These duty guidelines include:
- Provide one-on-one tutoring if such tutoring is scheduled at a time when a student would not otherwise receive instruction from a teacher
- Assist with classroom management, such as organizing instructional materials
- Provide instructional assistance in a computer laboratory
- Conduct parental involvement activities
- Provide instructional support in a library or media center
- Act as a translator
- Provide instructional support services under the direct supervision of a highly qualified teacher
Continuing Education Requirements for Teachers’ Aides
In most states, teachers’ aides are typically required to have continuing education courses up to and including an associate’s degree focusing on education fundamentals. These courses are required in positions which involve classroom instruction, special education, and English as a second language.
Typical education courses those considering becoming a teachers’ aide need to complete include:
- Introduction to Teaching – orientation to teaching
- Teaching the Exceptional Child – working with special education students
- Teaching Math – typically focused on problems solving and basic math skills
- Teaching Reading – reading strategies and techniques
- Human Growth and Development – stages of child development K-12
These course titles are generic titles; however they provide a guide for types of courses required.
The best approach is to contact your state department of education or local school board for specific educational requirements.
Certification Requirements for Teachers’ Aides
Approximately half of all states require teachers’ aides to obtain a state certification to become a licensed professional. These certifications require specific courses, examinations, background checks, be “highly qualified,” and other requirements.
States which do not require a person to become a certified licensed professional still require individuals to meet their specific guidelines. These requirements are based on the No Child Left Behind guideline of being “highly qualified” and duty guidelines.
There is a large demand for teachers’ aides because they fill a vital role in public and private schools to assistant in academic achievement of children. Anyone considering this entering this field needs to contact his state department of education or local school district to determine specific continuing education requirements to become a teachers’ aide.
David R. Wetzel - Dr. David Wetzel's experience includes more than 25 years in continuing, adult, and teacher education.
Join the Conversation