ESEA: Title I Paraprofessional Non-Regulatory Guidance

November 15, 2002
Draft Guidance from the U.S. Department of Education

E.  Funding Issues

E-1.  What funds are available for helping paraprofessionals in Title I schools meet the new requirements?

A number of key ESEA programs authorize funds that can be used to improve teacher quality:

• Under section 1119 of Title I, an LEA must use not less than five percent or more than ten percent of its Title I allocation in the school years 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 (and not less than five percent in subsequent years) for professional development activities to ensure that teachers and paraprofessionals meet the qualification requirements in section 1119 [section 1119(l)].
•   LEAs also may use their general Title I funds “to support ongoing training and professional development to assist teachers and paraprofessionals”  [section 1114(b)(1)(D) and section 1115(c)(1)(F) and (d)].
• Schools and LEAs identified as needing improvement must also reserve funds for professional development and these funds may be used for paraprofessionals [sections 1116(b)(3)(A)(iii) and 1116(c)(7)(A)(iii)].
• Title III, Part A, the English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement Act, authorizes LEAs to use formula grant funds for professional development of teachers and other instructional personnel providing instruction to students needing English language acquisition and language enhancement [section 3111(a)(2)(A)].
• Title V, Part A, Innovative Programs, authorizes LEAs to use funds innovatively in certain areas for teachers and other school personnel [section 5131(a)].
• Title VII, Part A, the Indian Education Program, requires a comprehensive program for meeting the needs of Indian children that, among other things, calls for professional development opportunities to ensure that teachers and other school professionals have been properly trained [section 7114(b)(5)].

E-2.  May an LEA use the Title II, Part A Improving Teacher Quality State Grants funds to provide training for paraprofessionals?

Yes.  The law allows LEAs to use these funds to provide professional development activities “that improve the knowledge of teachers and principals, and, in appropriate cases, paraprofessionals” concerning:

• One or more core academic subjects that teachers teach, or
• Effective instructional strategies, methods, and skills, and use of challenging content and academic achievement standards and State assessments to improve teaching practices and student academic achievement [section 2123(a)(3)(A)].
• Note that, provided that an LEA maintains records of the amount of Title I and Title II, Part A funds used for these professional development activities, and the Title I funds are used as permitted in the Title I statute and regulations, Title I and Title II, Part A funds may be used jointly for this purpose. 

In addition, Title IX, section 9101)(34) states that professional development programs can be created that enable paraprofessionals to obtain the education necessary to become certified and licensed teachers.