Starting in the fall of 2024, high school students can embark on a career in education with the K-12 General Paraprofessional Certificate. This certificate provides a solid foundation in educational pedagogy and enables students to contribute to their communities actively. It signifies students' early dedication to education and prepares them for a career focused on teaching and nurturing student development.
Students can earn the certificate by:
- Taking two of the three CTE courses: Teaching Professional 09041, Educational Methodology 09042, and Cooperative Work Experience 09299.
OR - Taking two of the three General Education courses: Teaching Professional 20084, Educational Methodology 20085, Educational Workplace Experience 20086.
OR - Completing any combination of the six courses, equaling two or more courses.
The NDDPI has made the application process simple through the ND Teach portal.
Find guidance on how to apply for the certificate below.
The K-12 General Education Paraprofessional Certificate requires an application to be filled out on the ND Teach portal.
This guidance document will help guide students through the process of applying for the K-12 General Education Paraprofessional Certificate on the ND Teach portal.
Q: Who is eligible to apply for this certificate?
A: This certificate is intended for high school students who are interested in embarking on a career path in education. They receive the cert as a tangible reward for taking high school course related to teaching.
Q: How do students apply?
A: To apply for the General Education Paraprofessional Certificate, you must first register for North Dakota Online Services to access the ND Teach portal.
Q: Is any other documentation required?
A: Yes, students must submit electronic copies of transcripts or report cards showing completion of the required courses.
Q: What courses are required?
A: Students can earn the certificate in three ways:
Students can take two of the three CTE courses related to teaching: Teaching Professional 09041, Educational Methodology 09042, and Cooperative Work Experience 09299.
Students can take two of the three General Education courses: Teaching Professional 20084, Educational Methodology 20085, and Educational Workplace Experience 20086.
A combination of the six courses above equaling two or more courses.
Q: Can dual credit classes count for prerequisite courses to earn the certificate?
A: Yes. As long as the dual credit course uses the approved CTE or general education course codes.
Q: Can students with a General Education Paraprofessional Certificate work in classrooms with students who are on IEPs?
A: Our special education office has a specific certificate that requires specialized training for working students on IEPs. Students who earn the General Education Paraprofessional Certificate are meant to work specifically with general education students, however, they can assist students with IEPs who are in the classroom.
Q: Can a high school senior serve as a para-educator for a half-day? Are there any restrictions on what hours these students can work with this certificate?
A: These students can work as many hours as the school wishes, as long as it does not take away from their other courses and the school is not breaking any child labor laws.
Q: Can just one student apply at a time, or does a school need a cohort of students at a time to apply?
A: Since students apply individually, just one student can apply at a time, or a cohort. Either is perfectly acceptable.
Q: Can the student be enrolled in the second course while serving under the terms of this certificate, or do the required courses need to be completed first?
A: Yes, students may be enrolled and serving as a para-educator. Once they complete the program and submit the required documentation, they will receive the official certificate.
Q: Is this certificate required before an individual would be eligible for the Title I or Special Education Paraprofessional Certificate?
A: No, is not a prerequisite for any Paraprofessional Certificate. The purpose of the program is to attract young students to the teaching profession.
Q: If students completed the courses prior to the launch date of August 1, 2024, can they still apply?
A: Yes.
Q: Can students working under the terms of this certificate be paid?
A: Yes, they can be paid.
Q: Is there a credit requirement for courses?
A: No, schools can pick how many credits the courses are worth as long as they stay within the North Dakota Century Code and the NDDPI Course Code guidelines.
Please reach out to the Office of School Approval & Opportunity at (701) 328-2755 or (701) 328-4571 with questions.