Federal and state law specify legal requirements related to pre-employment qualifications for teacher assistants.
One method of complying with one of these qualifications is through meeting a rigorous standard of quality and demonstrating, through a formal state or local academic assessment: knowledge and ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics; OR reading, writing, and mathematics readiness. The RI Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education recognizes a passing score of 461 or better on the ParaPro Assessment as the formal state academic assessment.
ParaPro Resources
ParaPro Training & Testing
Resources in RI (97KB / 2 pages)
This handout lists locations in RI where people can get ParaPro Training
and Testing that is available to persons statewide. In addition, a number of
districts are offering training and/or testing for their own teacher assistants.
To register for training or testing or for more information, contact the person
listed for each site on the handout.
ParaPro Assessment
Fact Sheet. (87KB / 2 pages)
This fact sheet provides information on the ParaPro Assessment and its administration
in RI.
The Educational Testing Service (ETS), Distributor of the ParaPro Assessment
The Educational Testing Service [click link to visit ETS website] website provides helpful information for districts and educational collaboratives that are interested in offering the Internet-Based version of the ParaPro. It also has a variety of information and resources to help people prepare for this assessment, such as:
- Test-At-A-Glance - This is a free mini-workbook on how to prepare for the test. It includes sample questions with answers and explanations.
- Tutorial – This a free tutorial that you can access to practice taking the Internet-Based version of the ParaPro via computer prior to the actual testing day.
- ETS ParaPro Assessment Study Guide and Individual Practice Test - ETS sells an in-depth Study Guide for $25 per guide. It includes a 90-question Individual Practice Test and various instructional materials. It can be used individually or with groups. The Individual Practice Test can also be purchased separately (without the full Study Guide) for $12. These can both be purchased at the ETS online store or call 1-800-537-3161. There are group discounts. The Study Guide is also available on loan at several locations in our state. For more information, visit the resources section of this website and be sure to download the Annotated Bibliography of Teacher Assistant Resources.
ParaPro Knowledge and Skill Areas (10KB / 2 pages) lists knowledge and skills tested on the ParaPro Assessment.
ParaPro Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities or Whose Primary Language is Not English
- If you have a disability, you can ask for accommodations. To get information or to register for the test, go to the ETS website at www.ets.org where you should click on "Quick Links", then "Find a Test" and then click on ParaPro. This will take you to the ParaPro Home Page. Click on "Test Takers with Disabilities" for more information. You can also call Disability Services at 1/866-387-8602; 1/609/771-7780 or TTY (for callers who are deaf or hard-of-hearing) 1/609/771-7714; fax: 1/609/771-7165.
- If your Primary Language is Not English (PLNE), you can ask for extended time in test taking. The Registration Bulletin that you can download from the ParaPro Home Page tells you how you can qualify for this. To get information or to register for the test, go to the ETS website at www.ets.org where you should click on "Quick Links", then "Find a Test" and then click on ParaPro. This will take you to the ParaPro Home Page. Click on "Find a Test Date". Those dates with an asterisk (*) are the dates when the testing for Primary Language is Not English (PLNE) is available. RI's PLNE testing site is RI College, (Code - TC 00349).
