March 13, 2002
Law raises the bar for teaching assistants and aides
New federal requirements mean significant changes for teacher aides and teaching assistants. These changes ratchet up standards for staff who work with teachers in Title I classrooms, regardless of their job titles.
The altered requirements from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, signed by President Bush in January, will affect virtually all districts across New York state because they receive funds from the federal government's largest program for the education of economically disadvantaged youngsters.
Union analysts caution that regulations to guide these laws are not yet in place. New York State United Teachers and its national affiliate, the American Federation of Teachers, are carefully monitoring developments and advocating for union members as these regulations are being drafted.
What we know now is:
Current employees who assist teachers have four years to meet the new standards, starting now. They must either complete two years of college, have a two-year college degree, or "pass a state or local assessment designed to demonstrate knowledge of and the ability to assist in instruction in reading, writing and math or reading readiness, writing readiness and math readiness." Those assessments have not yet been developed. Starting this January, newly hired employees who assist in Title I classrooms must meet the new standards. Two groups of classroom assistants are exempt from the standards: those who work primarily as translators for students with limited English skills and those whose work is mainly parent involvement. Federal law clarifies the type of work that teaching assistants and teacher aides should be assigned and states that employees may not provide any instructional services except under "direct" supervision of a teacher. This is different from current state law which allows assistants and aides to work under the "general" supervision of a teacher. Districts can use Title I funds to assist employees in satisfying these new requirements.
The new law raises many questions. At presstime, union analysts were researching the 1,400 pages of the new law to clarify issues for members.
NYSUT First Vice President Antonia Cortese noted that many teaching assistants already meet the higher standards.
"We are fortunate to have many paraprofessionals, teaching assistants and teacher aides who have completed two- and four-year degrees," Cortese said. She praised the testing-out option for providing current employees with flexibility.
"Many of our aides and assistants have valuable life experiences, as well as years on the job, that have prepared them for this important work with kids," Cortese said.
More academics
The higher education requirements recognize changes in classroom duties, said Mary Jo Roberge, a teaching assistant in the North Syracuse schools for two decades; she chairs NYSUT's School-Related Personnel Advisory Committee.
"Years ago, most assistants were hired to keep records and help monitor, feed and transport students," Roberge said. "Through the years some jobs have stayed the same, and others have changed a great deal. Now many of us are more involved in the academics of youngsters. In many cases we're getting kids ready for jobs and involved in the community."
Roberge said union members, who have long sought to improve conditions for teaching and learning, are heartened that the standards recognize the vital roles of aides and assistants.
That was evident at a late-February briefing by the United Federation of Teachers for the representatives of the more than 23,000 paraprofessionals who work in New York City schools, hospitals and community sites. Like many districts, New York City uses the term "paraprofessional" instead of "teaching assistant."
Maria Portalatin reported the reps applauded announcement of the higher standards.
"We've long supported higher standards," said the para chapter leader for the UFT. "Higher standards protect our kids and protect our future."
That support is across the state.
"If we're going to hold kids to a higher standard, we need to hold ourselves to a higher standard," said Pat Schultz, a para at a Title I school in Syracuse who already has that two-year degree.
Roberge noted the standards raise questions that the union will work to answer for members. She also noted that New York state's teaching assistant certification was overhauled several years ago. The state's higher standards for newly employed teaching assistants begin Feb. 2, 2004. (See related article.) Aligning the upcoming state requirements with federal Title I requirements is a goal of NYSUT and AFT.
The pay factor
Those who assist in classrooms hope higher standards lead to higher pay. In her seventh year as a paraprofessional in New York City schools, Nancy Delaney doesn't compare her check now to what it used to be as an executive secretary.
"I know I could be making three times what I'm making now, but I love the kids and my job," she said.
While the pay may not reflect it, she knows she makes a difference. "These kids get everything, their whole future, from their schools," said Delaney, a UFT member who works in a special ed program at PS 55 on Staten Island.
Professional development will be welcomed as long as it is relevant to the job, Schultz said.
Too often it isn't. Delaney, of the UFT, remembers her disappointment after attending a session on how to lift students with physical disabilities.
"We need to know the best ways to lift a child out of the wheelchair, how to transfer them to a toilet," Delaney said. "I got to the training, and all I learned was how to lift a box."
What happens next
NYSUT, which has long advocated for strong standards in the teaching field, is monitoring the developments in certification with the AFT. NYSUT Field Services is planning critical issues briefings after the regulations have been published this fall. Also, the NYSUT Education and Learning Trust is working to help teacher aides and teaching assistants get the proper development and training they'll need.
New York Teacher will report on updates as information becomes available. Also, go to NYSUT's Web site at www.nysut.org for updates.
- Betsy Sandberg
NYSUT.org. Copyright New York State United Teachers. 800 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, New York, 12110-2455. 518.213.6000.
http://www.nysut.org. For questions about this web site, contact the webmaster at bthomas@nysutmail.org.
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