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June 6, 2025
Paraprofessionals provide essential services to students in many schools. These non-licensed educators are sometimes also referred to as paraeducators, education assistants (EAs), instructional assistants, instructional support staff, or educational support persons (ESPs). As outlined below, the minimum qualifications necessary to be a paraprofessional in a public Minnesota school depend on the job duties and source of funding.
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Funding/Program
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Impacted Positions
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Minimum Qualification Requirement
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Funding Impact
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Special Education
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All paraprofessionals supporting children with disabilities in special education programs, regardless of school, program or instructional setting.
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34 CFR 300.156
Meet one of the following:
- Two years of college credits through an accredited institution; or
- An associate degree or higher; or
- Passing score on an approved formal academic assessment; or
- Meet the competencies listed in the MDE-approved competency grid.
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Only paraprofessionals meeting one of the personnel qualification requirements are eligible for state special education aid calculations.
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Title I, Part A Schoolwide Program
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All instructional paraprofessionals in the entire school, regardless of funding source. Instructional paraprofessionals supporting students with disabilities in a Title I, Part A Schoolwide program must meet these qualifications.
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34 CFR 200.58
Meet one of the following:
- Two years of college credits through an accredited institution; or
- An associate degree or higher; or
- Passing score on an approved academic assessment.
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There is no change in funding related to qualifications. A Title I, Part A school with a Schoolwide Program that is not compliant with the requirement will need to create and implement a corrective action plan to bring all instructional staff into compliance with the requirements.
This could include switching from a Schoolwide program to a targeted program.
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Title I, Part A Targeted Assistance Program
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Instructional paraprofessionals paid in whole or part by Title I, Part A funding.
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34 CFR 200.58
Meet one of the following:
- Two years of college credits through an accredited institution; or
- An associate degree or higher; or
- Passing score on an approved academic assessment.
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There is no change in funding related to qualifications. A Title I, Part A school with a Targeted Assistance Program that is not compliant with the requirement will need to create and implement a corrective action plan to bring all impacted employees into compliance with the requirements.
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MDE-Approved Local Assessment Option: Competency Grid
If no other federal or local requirements are in place, MDE establishes and maintains this local assessment as one of the qualification options to ensure that personnel have the content knowledge and skills to serve children with disabilities in special education programs.
Competencies can be met through demonstration or by attending a training. Exhibits for each of the competency areas may include academic coursework, professional development and training experiences, workshops, work experiences, examinations and other professional activities like a job shadow, interview, observation, conversation or sharing an artifact. Exhibits may be used for more than one competency.
Districts should include the completed competency grid in personnel files and share a copy with the paraprofessional for their records. Paraprofessionals can also reference additional competencies specific to the unique needs of each child with a disability they may support. These areas are included in the appendix as a paraprofessional continues to grow in their role and experiences, but they are not required.
Approved Academic Assessments and Passing Scores
Two state-approved assessments are available through most regional educational service cooperatives and some school districts:
- The Paraeducator assessments require in Minnesota passing scores of 65% for the Instructional Support test and 70% for the Knowledge and Application test.
- The ParaPro assessment requires a combined Minnesota passing score of 455.
Additionally, the qualification requirements specified in the ESEA Title I, Part A regulation 34 CFR 200.58 include the option for a “local academic assessment.” Any local academic assessment must be a “formal” measure at “a rigorous standard of quality” of the “knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing… (A) Reading/language arts, writing, and mathematics; or (B) Reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness.” LEAs opting to use a formal local academic assessment are responsible for ensuring the reliability and validity of such an assessment and that it meets the applicable federal requirements.
Training Requirements
Within 60 days of starting work as a paraprofessional, school districts are required to provide the training required in Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.363, subdivision 3. School districts are required by Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.642 to provide at least eight hours of annual paid professional development to all paraprofessionals and other instructional support staff, with at least six hours completed before the first instructional day or within 30 days of hiring. The professional development must be relevant to work responsibilities and may include planning with the classroom teacher or the requirements of Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.363, subdivision 3. A school administrator must annually certify compliance with the requirement. Starting in SY25, school districts will be separately reimbursed for prior year compensation of the eight hours of paid professional development.
Additional Information
Paraprofessionals who have passed an assessment(s) approved by the Minnesota Department of Education may wish to complete the additional requirements to obtain the Voluntary Paraprofessional Credential administered by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB). The voluntary credential is not required to work as a paraprofessional.
MDE Paraprofessionals webpage
Questions about programmatic requirements and how to meet them can be directed to the applicable MDE division.
MDE Paraprofessionals > Special Education
MDE ESEA Title Program Paraprofessionals
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