Paraprofessionals

Congratulations on your new position with Goose Creek CISD!

This page is designed to assist individuals who have been offered and accepted a paraprofessional position within the district. We are excited to welcome you to our team and hope to make your hiring process as smooth and positive as possible.

Instructional Paraprofessional Requirements

If you are being recommended for an instructional paraprofessional position (such as Special Education Aide, Classroom Aide, Library Aide, or similar roles), federal requirements require that you meet the qualifications for a Highly Qualified Paraprofessional before you can be hired.

Please review the information below regarding Highly Qualified Paraprofessional requirements.

Educational Aide Certification

All instructional paraprofessionals must obtain an Educational Aide Certificate through the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Please note that TEA requires a $32 application fee when you apply for the certificate.

Qualification Requirements

Once you have been recommended for hire, a member of the Human Resources team will contact you regarding your qualification status.

You may qualify by meeting one of the following requirements:

Completion of at least 48 college credit hours from an accredited institution recognized by TEA
Possession of an associate degree or higher
Successful completion of an approved assessment demonstrating proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics

If you have completed at least 48 college credit hours, please have official transcripts available. Goose Creek CISD must verify your college coursework before employment can be finalized.

If you do not have 48 college credit hours or a qualifying degree, an HR team member will assist you in scheduling the Paraprofessional Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (PAKS) exam, which is offered through the district.

PAKS Study Guides

To help you prepare for the assessment, study guides are available below:

PAKS Study Guide – Math

PAKS Study Guide – Reading

PAKS Study Guide – Writing

If you have questions at any point during the hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Department at hr@gccisd.net.

Again, welcome to the Goose Creek CISD family. We look forward to working with you!

Highly Qualified Paraprofessionals

Highly Qualified Paraprofessionals

Under federal guidelines, paraprofessionals hired by a Local Education Agency (LEA) after January 8, 2002, who perform instructional duties in a Title I, Part A program must meet at least one of the following qualifications:

Complete a minimum of two years of study at an institution of higher education (48 semester credit hours or the equivalent)
Earn an associate degree or higher
Demonstrate, through a formal state or local assessment, the knowledge and ability to assist with instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics
Demonstrate, through a formal state or local assessment, the knowledge and ability to assist with instruction in reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness, when appropriate

For Title I purposes, a paraprofessional is defined as an employee who provides instructional support in a program funded by Title I, Part A.

Federal regulations prohibit districts from assigning paraprofessionals who do not meet these requirements to Title I-funded instructional programs. In addition, Title I paraprofessionals must work under the supervision of a highly qualified teacher and in close proximity to that teacher while providing instructional support.

Districts are required to remove or reassign non-qualified paraprofessionals from Title I programs if qualification requirements are not met.

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