The Collaborative Online Paraeducator-to-Teacher Alternate Route is an exciting opportunity for school districts to "grow their own" special education teachers. It was developed to respond to an initiative of the Office of the State Board of Education, which hopes to reduce the shortage in this critical teaching area. The opportunity is uniquely designed to address the needs of rural Idaho and the challenges paraeducators face in accessing higher education programs in the state.
The State Board established the following guidelines for the Paraeducator-to-Teacher Alternate Route:
Click on Requirements on the main menu to learn more about requirements for participation in the Collaborative Online Paraeducator-to-Teacher Alternate Route.
Candidates accepted into the Collaborative Online Paraeducator-to-Teacher Alternate Route take courses from five Idaho institutions of higher education, but they choose one from which they earn their degree and recommendation for certification. This institution is required to develop a Memorandum of Agreement with each school district that employs a participating paraeducator. Representatives from the institution will work with school districts to identify appropriate candidates and to develop an MOA that meets these guidelines.
Paraeducators often need financial assistance to pursue higher education. Click on Financial Assistance on the main menu to learn about resources that parareducators may pursue through the institution awarding their degree. In addition, school districts are encouraged to use district resources to assist paraeducators in becoming certified special educators. Such resources might include technology support, reimbursement for course work, and work schedules that facilitate completion of required practice, internships, and student teaching.