Who Are We?
Learning the ropes
Pareducators Include:
Instructional Assistants and Noninstructional Assistants
Teachers’ and Program Aides
Library Aides, Technicians, and Assistants
Preschool Care Givers
Building, Bus, and Playground Monitors
Crossing Guards
We are committed:
7 in 10 of us plan to stay in our jobs until we retire at age 61
We are many:
More than 700,000 Paras work in the nation’s K- 12 public schools.
The number of paraeducators working in Kentucky has increased by 26% in the past 2 years, from a total of 3,330 in 1998 to 4,197 in 2000.
(Kentucky Department of Education Personnel Data 2000).
We are needed:
The demand for Paraeducators up to the year 2010 is expected to increase by about 120, 000 positions.
About us and our work:
63% of us work directly with pre-kindergarten or elementary level students, and most of us work with students in their early, formative years.
71% of us work with students receiving special education.
96% of us are female, 80% are married, and 48% have school-age children. Our average age is 47.
(Excerpted from National Education Association web page)