Most paraprofessional educators have at least some familiarity with different pedagogical theories and methods.
The paraprofessional test is one way to become certified as a professional assistant. Many paraprofessionals work in the education field as teacher assistants or assistants. Testing of paraprofessionals in the field of education has become necessary in the United States due to the guidelines of the federal No Child Left Behind Act. This law requires those who work in education as teaching assistants to have a two- or four-year degree, or pass a paraprofessional test.
The ParaPro assessment test is over two hours long and consists of 90 multiple-choice questions.
Two main tests are used by paraprofessionals. The less common of the two is the ACT WorkKeys® Certificate of Competency for Teaching Assistants. Three states used this test in 2010: North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. The more common of the two tests is called the ParaPro Assessment. This test was created after the No Child Left Behind Act was passed, so it meets all federal guidelines and regulations.
The ParaPro Assessment is administered via the Internet or in person on paper. There is a fee to take the test and registration is required. The test itself takes over two hours and consists of 90 multiple-choice questions.
A paraprofessional is responsible for assisting a teacher in a classroom.
The test measures a candidate’s knowledge of math, reading, and writing. Approximately two-thirds of the test focuses on the paraprofessional’s knowledge of these basic skills. In addition to basic subject knowledge, it is important to assess paraprofessionals on how they will apply this knowledge. That’s why one-third of paraprofessional tests focus on applying these basic skills.
Study guides and practice tests are available for paraprofessionals to use in preparing for the test. After passing the paraprofessional test, they will be certified to work with teachers, assisting them in their classrooms and helping them meet the requirements established by the No Child Left Behind Act. Paraprofessional testing allows teacher assistants who do not have a two- or four-year degree to still be certified as a paraprofessional.
Although many paraprofessionals work in the field of education as teaching assistants or teaching assistants, there are some who work in the fields of health, engineering, and law. Licensing and certification requirements for these fields vary based on professional associations and guidelines for each profession. It may seem like paraprofessional testing would play a bigger role in health care or the law, but paraprofessional licensing may be more important in education than in other areas of the US education goals each year to avoid penalties .