FUNDING REVISIONS TO THE PARAEDUCATOR CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

On April 3, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee used his line-item veto authority to trim $235 million from the 2020 supplemental operating budget, and reduced another $210 million in the state’s next two-year budget. These vetoes are intended to address the anticipated funding needed to recover from the current unprecedented health crisis impacting our state.

• Governor Inslee’s message
• 2020 session operating budget vetoes
• Operating budget veto descriptions

Close to 200 programs are affected by this veto, including the Paraeducator Certificate Program. The veto returned funding levels to the base appropriation of two days of training per year by eliminating increases of $14 million for fiscal year (FY) 21, and nearly $21 million for the 2021-23 biennium. These funds would have required school districts to provide up to four days of training per school year.

This change in funding only affects new funds to the certificate program and not the base funding. For the 2019-20 school year, $12 million is allocated for school districts to train paraeducators on the Fundamental Course of Study (FCS) and another $12 million is anticipated to fund two more days of the FCS during the 2020-21 school year. 

To help districts navigate this change, we are providing updated guidelines on the certificate program. These requirements are different from, and replace, the guidance we emailed on March 18 and in the webinar we presented on March 31. 

What are school districts required to do for the 2019-20 school year?

• The program retains its base funding of $12 million. School districts are required to provide two days (14 hours) of training on the Fundamental Course of Study to their paraeducators by September 1, 2020. School districts are not required to provide more than two days of training to their paraeducators for the 2019-20 school year. 

What are school districts required to do for the 2020-21 school year?

• In anticipation of the program retaining its base funding, school districts are required to provide two days (14 hours) of training on the Fundamental Course of Study to their paraeducators. For paraeducators who receive two days in the 2019-20 school year and two days in the 2020-21 school year, this should complete the four-day fundamental course of study. School districts are not required to provide more than two days of training to their paraeducators for the 2020-21 school year. Training on the FCS for the 2020-21 school year may begin July 1, 2020.
• For new paraeducators hired on or before September 1, 2020:
  • Districts must provide the first two days (14 hours) of training on the FCS by September 30, 2020.
• For new paraeducators hired after September 1, 2020:
  • For districts with 10,000 or more students, two days (14 hours) of the FCS must be provided within four months of the date of hire or by September 1, 2021, whichever is sooner.
  • For districts with fewer than 10,000 students, two days (14 hours) of the FCS must be provided by September 1, 2021.
• For paraeducators hired for the first time during the 2019-20 school year who did not receive training:
  • Districts must provide two days (14 hours) of training on the FCS by September 1, 2021. If possible, we recommend districts provide four days of training to these paraeducators, which will be reimbursed. 

Are paraeducator minimum employment requirements still mandatory?

• Yes. Paraeducators are still required to meet minimum employment requirements. These requirements apply regardless of funding.

Our district would like to provide more than two days of training, do you have recommendations to help us accomplish this?

• Yes, we have created an online guide. While there are no additional funds beyond the required two days of training on the FCS, your commitment to the certificate program will ensure all paraeducators receive the professional development they deserve to best support Washington’s students. We have created a district implementation resources page where you will find unique and creative opportunities to maintain the momentum of the certificate program including training materials and funding strategies.

When will districts be reimbursed for providing training?

• The program is designed as a reimbursement model. Districts must meet the training requirement by September 1, 2020. In mid-September 2020, districts will be reimbursed for the number of paraeducators who completed two days of training during the 2019-20 school year.
• In anticipation of upcoming funding for the 2020-21 school year, the same reimbursement model will apply. A new iGrants package will be established for the reimbursement of training that takes place during the 2020-21 school year. In mid-September 2021, districts will be reimbursed for training conducted during the 2020-21 school year.

What is the reimbursement rate for the 2019-20 school year?

• We estimate the reimbursement rate to be $218 per day per paraeducator (i.e., an estimate of $436 for two days of training). A district will only be reimbursed for paraeducators who completed two days (14 hours) of training. Partial completion will not be reimbursed.
• Districts are required to complete quarterly reports on the progress of their training in iGrants package 918. The next quarterly update is due May 4, 2020. As we collect these quarterly reports, we will update school districts with the final estimated reimbursement rate.

If a district fully trains their paraeducators on the FCS (four days of training) for the 2019-20 school year, can the district be reimbursed for all four days?

• No, there is only funding for two days of training during the 2019-20 school year. A district is welcome to provide more training to their paraeducators, but only two days (14 hours) will be reimbursed. 

How many days of FCS training must be completed in-person for the 2019-20 school year?

• None. There is no requirement that the two days of training must be completed in-person by September 1, 2020. However, if a district wants to provide the remaining FCS training, then one day (seven hours) must be in-person.

I have additional questions 

• We fully empathize with district leaders and paraeducators during this time as we all do our best to navigate through an ever changing landscape. We understand this new funding decision may lead to questions we have yet to address. Our office is available to assist as much as possible, and welcome the opportunity to answer your questions through email: paraboard@k12.wa.us. 
• We encourage paraeducators who have questions to contact your school district’s human resources department or union representative.
• We will update our implementation toolkit and FAQ document as appropriate.