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GDA - Instructional Assistants

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Code: GDA
Adopted: 4/18/06
Revised/Readopted: 6/20/17
Orig. Code(s): GDA 

Instructional assistants shall be hired by the superintendent or designee. 

All instructional assistants must: 

  1.  Have a high school diploma or the equivalent; 

  2. Be at least 18 years of age or older; and 

  3. Have standards of moral character as required of teachers. 

In addition to the above, instructional assistants providing translation services must have demonstrated proficiency and fluency, knowledge of and ability to provide accurate translations from a language other than English into English and from English into another language. 

Instructional assistants1 who work in Title I programs and provide instructional support must have:

  1. Completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education; or

  2. Obtained an associate’s or higher degree; or 

  3. Met a rigorous standard of quality, and can demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment or paraprofessional certificate program, knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, as appropriate, reading/language arts, writing and mathematics or reading readiness, writing readiness and mathematics readiness. 

Northwest Regional Education Service District (NWRESD) will require individuals newly hired as Title I instructional assistants who have met another district’s academic assessment as set forth by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, to meet the NWRESD’s academic assessment standards. 

The general responsibilities of an instructional assistant shall be outlined in a job description. The major responsibility shall be to assist the classroom teacher, specialist or supervisor with instruction. The instructional assistants shall be under the supervision of the appropriately licensed classroom teachers, specialists or supervisors. Other supporting tasks may include, but are not limited to: clerical support, student control, personal care, translation or parent/family involvement activities and media center or computer laboratory support. 

Instructional assistants shall not be used by the NWRESD or the teacher as substitute teachers. The responsibility for classroom supervision and instruction remains with a supervising teacher at all times. 

In an emergency an instructional assistant may be left in charge of a class for a brief period with expectations of supervision only and no initial instruction. 

1Instructional assistants may be assigned to: (1) provide one-on-one tutoring for eligible students, if the tutoring is scheduled at a time when a student would not otherwise receive instruction from a teacher; (2) assist with classroom management, such as organizing instructional and other materials; (3) provide assistance in a computer laboratory; (4) conduct parental involvement activities; (5) provide support in a library or media center; (6) act as a translator; or (7) provide instructional services to students while working under the direct supervision of a teacher. Instructional assistants may assume limited duties that are assigned to similar personnel who are not working in a program supported with Title I funds, including duties beyond classroom instruction or that do not benefit participating children, so long as the amount of time spent on such duties is the same proportion of total work time as prevails with respect to similar personnel at the same school. 

These requirements do not apply to an instructional assistant: (1) who is proficient in English and a language other than English and who provides services primarily to enhance the participation of children in Title I programs by acting as a translator; or (2) whose duties consist solely of conducting parental involvement activities.

END OF POLICY 

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