Paraeducators

We're NEA ESPs and Proud of It!

About Us and Our Work

• 62% of us work directly with students at preschool, kindergarten, or elementary levels, and most of us work with students in their early, formative years.
• 71% of us work with special education students.
• 83% of us have job responsibilities promoting school safety.
• 81% of us work full time.
• 95% of us are female.
• 80% are married.
• Our average age is 48.

We are educated: 22% of us have a two-year college degree, 18% have a bachelor's, and 4% have a master's or higher degree. 39% have some college credits. Among those of us who do not have a two-year college or higher degree, 38% plan to earn a two-year degree in the next four years.

We are committed: 9.1 years is the average we have been working in our field. 70% of us plan to stay in the ESP field, and 56% plan to stay in our current jobs until we retire.

We are the largest ESP group: Approximately 771,000 paraeducators work in the nation's K-12 public schools, making up 34% of the U.S. K-12 ESP work force. We are also the largest ESP group within NEA, making up 46% of NEA's K-12 ESP membership.

Our Workplace Conditions and Issues

Our jobs need to be better defined. 19% of us do not have a job description at all. For those of us who do have a job description, 37% believe that the description does not accurately describe the amount of work we do, and 16% think it does not accurately describe what we do. 61% of us have no say about our job descriptions.

30% of us are often or sometimes asked to perform duties outside our job descriptions.

We think not having a job description that accurately defines our responsibilities can lead to inequitable pay and to working outside our job classification and legal authority.

We often step in for teachers, but often are not compensated for preparation time, parent conferences, or in-service days.

We would like more participation in decisions that affect our work.

We want more opportunities for advancement and to improve our qualifications. We want careers with room for growth.

We often work with medically fragile students, administering medications and performing sensitive medical procedures such as catheterizations.  We are susceptible to back and muscle strains from lifting and caring for physically handicapped students.

We enjoy our jobs. Our desire is to focus on smaller groups of students so we can help everyone more effectively.

How Can We Help Restore Public Confidence in Public Education? Paraeducator Members Speak Out:

"Expect more from the students and get their parents involved. We all need to work together: the communities, schools, families, and children."

"We are role models 24 hours/7days a week. We live, grow, shop, and worship in our community. We give support, intersecting with all levels of the community by means of public education."

"I talk with parents at every opportunity. I express my concerns and talk with them about their concerns. We must stay and fight for quality education. We must demand it."

Paraeducators: Who We Are

• Instructional and Noninstructional Assistants
• Teachers' and Program Aides
• Library Aides, Technicians, and Assistants
• Preschool Caregivers
• Building, Bus, and Playground Monitors
• Crossing Guards
• Nonmanagerial Supervisors