October 23, 2002

Proposed regulations for the new Title I provisions are finally being developed. Title I, which is the largest part of the "No Child Left Behind" law Congress passed last year, affects virtually all districts across the state because they receive funds from the federal government's largest program for educating economically disadvantaged youngsters.

New education requirements mean significant changes for staff who work with teachers in those schools, regardless of their job titles.

New York State United Teachers and its national affiliate, the American Federation of Teachers, have been monitoring the complex negotiations over regulatory language from the U.S. Department of Education. Here are the latest details:

• Effective now, all employees who assist teachers in classrooms must have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Those employees who work primarily as translators, support parental involvement activities, provide technical support for computers, provide personal care services or perform clerical duties must have a high school diploma or its equivalent, but are exempt from the remaining requirements.
• Any paraprofessional, teaching assistant or teacher aide working in Title I programs, either school-wide or targeted, hired since Jan. 8 must have completed two years of college study, have a two-year college degree or pass a state or local assessment.
• The law doesn't specify the content of a test. The state is expected to assess knowledge of reading, writing and math, as well as the ability to provide instructional support in those areas.
• Those hired before Jan. 8 have until January 2006 to meet the same requirements.

These proposed regulations raise questions because state tests have not yet been developed. NYSUT is monitoring the development of any assessments and advocating to ensure that appropriate test-taking information is available. Once the test framework has been developed, it is due to be posted at:

www.emsc.nysed.gov/deputy/nclb/nclb_home.htm.

NYSUT and AFT are constantly monitoring Title I discussions. Also, through its Education and Learning Trust, NYSUT is collaborating with community colleges to develop an 18-credit certificate program and a two-year associate's degree program. Once a state assessment is in place, the Education and Learning Trust will provide test-prep materials and offer training. Watch New York Teacher and the Web site at www.nysut.org for updates.

On the NYSUT Web site at www.nysut.org/research, you can see:

• the complete law;
• nine fact sheets from NYSUT's Research and Educational Services Division, including one that addresses how School-Related Professionals are affected.

NYSUT.org. Copyright New York State United Teachers. 800 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, New York, 12110-2455. 518.213.6000. http://www.nysut.org.