So we found this news startling. We knew paraeducators provided most of the learning time to Washington kids most affected by the opportunity gaps (including students with disabilities), but we weren't aware of the rates of increase.
Washington relies on 25,000-plus paraeducators to work with students who most need instructional assistance and support. Paraeducators provide more than 62 percent of instruction time to students learning English, students who have been identified as needing learning assistance, or students who have disabilities. Yet they receive virtually no training and there are no state standards for them.
Paraeducators are an integral part of the instruction process and must be recognized as partners. A training program and career ladder for them would go a long way towards giving kids who most need support the quality education they deserve.
You can download a flier with more information here.
You can read recommendations that the Paraeducator Work Group made to the state in 2016 here.
