TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED:

SUBJECT: Availability of Paraprofessional Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (PAKS)

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) requires Title I, Part A paraprofessionals who have instructional support duties to meet the following qualification requirements:

• have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent; and

• have one of the following—

- obtained an associate’s degree or higher; or
- completed 2 years of study at an institution of higher education (i.e., completed 48 semester hours); or
- met a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate, through a formal State or local academic assessment—

- knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics; or
- knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing reading readiness, writing readiness, and math readiness, as appropriate.

Title I, Part A paraprofessionals with instructional support duties, who were hired on or before January 8, 2002, have until January 8, 2006, to meet the qualification requirements; Title I, Part A paraprofessionals hired after January 8, 2002, must meet the requirements when hired.

In an effort to provide local education agencies (LEAs) and paraprofessionals with as many options as possible, the Agency has coordinated with Regional Education Service Center XIII to provide an assessment that may be used to meet the NCLB assessment requirement.

Enclosed is a complimentary set of materials for the Paraprofessional Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (PAKS), which the LEA may use to assess its paraprofessionals. The PAKS assesses the paraprofessional’s knowledge and skills through observation rather than through a written test.

The PAKS may be accessed through the Region XIII web site (http://www.esc13.net/statewide/paks), or the TEA web site
(http://www.tea.state.tx.us/nclb/), or the LEA may order the printed forms (at cost) from Ms. Miranda Chavez by telephone at 512 919-5491, by fax at 512-919-5399, or by mail at Region XIII ESC, 5701 Springdale Road, Austin, Texas 78723-3675.

A price list and order form for additional printed materials are posted on the web sites listed above.

If you have questions about the PAKS, please contact Ms. Carole Smith at the Texas Education Agency at csmith@tea.state.tx.us or by telephone at 512-463-4090.

Sincerely,

Felipe Alanis
Commissioner of Education

Attachments:

Assessment
Guidelines
FAQs
Order Form