Paraeducators of Kentucky

Learning the ropes

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)