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Paraprofessional Program Overview
Paraprofessional Eligibility
Paraprofessional Application Requirements
Paraprofessional FAQs
Paraprofessional Resources & Forms
Paraprofessional Seminar Materials
North Coast Beginning Teacher Program
PARAPROFESSIONAL PROGRAM FAQs
1. Who sponsors NCPTTP?
2. What is the purpose of the program?
3. Who can apply to NCPTTP?
4. What is the application process?
5. How many paraprofessionals are enrolled in NCPTTP?
6. Which college or university can paraprofessionals attend?
7. What type of financial support is offered by NCPTTP?
8. What happens if a person drops out of the program before receiving a preliminary teaching credential?
9. What are ther requirements for paraprofessional participants?
10. How long can person take to complete the program and obtain a teaching credential?
11. Can teacher interns be a part of the program?
12. What is the district/county office’s role?
13. Who do I contact for more information about NCPTTP?
NCPTTP is supported by a grant from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). It is administered by the North Coast Beginning Teacher Program and is housed at the Sonoma County Office of Education. NCPTTP is a regional program, serving districts and county offices in seven counties.
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2. What is the purpose of the program?
The purpose of the NCPTTP is to offer support for paraprofessionals who are interested in obtaining a teaching credential. It is the intent of the program that once paraprofessionals receive their teaching credential, they will be considered for employment as teachers in their home district.
It is not a scholarship program. Participants are expected to complete their preliminary teaching credential. If they fail to do so or drop out of the program, they are required to repay the funds that they have received for their educational expenses.
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A paraprofessional can apply if he or she: (1) is currently employed by one of NCPTTP’s participating districts or county offices of education in one of the job categories listed below; (2) is attending one of our partner universities (see below); and (3) does not currently hold a teaching credential of any kind.
Paraprofessionals can pursue a Multiple Subject, Single Subject or Special Education credential. Each paraprofessional’s participation in the program must be sponsored by his/her district or county office, and each applicant must have a Certificate of Clearance from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing prior to participation in the program.
Eligible job titles for paraprofessionals include: instructional assistant, educational aide, special education aide, teacher aide, library aide, child development aide, and physical education aide.
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4. What is the application process?
The two-page program application is available either from the NCPTTP office or online at www.ncbtp.org. The applicant fills out page 1, including references and statement of teaching goal, submits page 2 to his/her district or county office for signature, and then sends both pages to NCPTTP. There is no deadline for submitting applications, although most are submitted in the spring for inclusion in the fall program. New participants are accepted on a space available basis.
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5. How Many paraprofesionals are enrolled in NCBTTP?
The total number of paraprofessionals that can be enrolled in NCPTTP during the academic year will vary according to available funding. The current number of participants is 40.
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6. Which College or university can paraprofessionals attend?
NCPTTP has nine college and university partners: Humboldt State University, Sonoma State University, Cal State Teach, Dominican University, University of San Francisco (Santa Rosa), Western Governors University, Mendocino College, College of the Redwoods, and Santa Rosa Junior College. NCPTTP participants MUST attend one of these colleges or universities.
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7. What financial support is offered by NCPTTP?
NCPTTP provides up to $3,000 per year to help offset the cost of tuition, books, and fees. Funds are allocated on a reimbursement basis upon receipt by NCPTTP of proper documentation. NCPTTP is not a scholarship program. If a participant decides not to finish an academic or credential program or decides not to teach in California, he or she is required to re-pay the full amount of grant money received.
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8. What happens if a person drops out of the program before receiving a preliminary teaching credential?
If a person decides they no longer wish to participate in NCPTTP—or are no longer eligible to do so—they will be dropped from the program. We will notify CCTC who will then initiate the process of repayment of funds. The person will be asked to repay the funds he or she received while in the program directly to CCTC.
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9. What are ther requirements for paraprofessional participants?
All participants are required to sign a “Commitment Form” for CCTC, agreeing to teach one year for each year of financial support they receive. For example, if a paraprofessional enters the program while he is enrolled in a credential program and that takes two years, he agrees to teach for two years in a California public school. The teaching job does not need to be in the paraprofessional’s current district.
While they are in the program, participants are required to:
• remain employed by the district for the duration of their academic support;
• enroll at one of the colleges or universities that participate in the program;
• arrange for academic counseling at that college or university at least twice a year (to ensure completing the program as rapidly as possible);
• attend two cohort meetings per year;
• inform NCPTTP of any change in their contact information, employment status or educational program;
• maintain a satisfactory GPA for the duration of their participation;
• submit reimbursement forms together with receipts to NCPTTP in a timely manner.
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10. How long can a person take to complete the program and obtain a teaching credential?
The amount of time it takes for paraprofessionals to obtain their teaching credential will vary, depending on the amount of prior educational units/degrees they have completed and the amount of courses they are able to take per semester. It will take most candidates from two to five years. There is no time limit mandated by the program; however, participants are advised to bear in mind the agreement with CCTC to teach one year for each year of support received.
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11. Can teacher interns be a part of the program?
Interns who have previously been supported by the NCPTTP as aparaprofessional can continue receiving support while they are in the intern program.
Teacher interns have not yet received their preliminary or Level 1 credential; therefore, the time working as an intern does not count toward fulfilling their commitment to teach.
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12. What is the district/county office's role?
District/county office partners are responsible for timely dissemination of information and applications to their paraprofessionals. In addition, each district or county office identifies a contact person who is familiar with the paraprofessionals in the district/county program and is available to be contacted by NCPTTP about program procedures. The contact person forwards to NCPTTP the applications of those paraprofessionals they feel are qualified and will make good teachers. There is no financial obligation for the participating districts/county offices.
Districts agree to consider hiring the paraprofessional should a position be available upon completion of their credential program. There is no guarantee that a position in the paraprofessional’s district will be available or will be offered.
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13. Who do I contact for more information about NCPTTP?
NCPTTP is part of the North Coast Beginning Teacher Program.
Corinne Muelrath is the regional director for both programs (cmuelrath@scoe.org).
Carol Lingman is the program coordinator (clingman@scoe.org) for NCPTTP.
Please contact Carol with inquiries about the program: 707/524-2822.
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