State of Illinois Certification Guidelines for Teacher Aides/Assistants
The No Child Left Behind Act, which President Bush signed into law early in 2002, requires that Title I-funded teacher assistants have one of the following:
- an associate's (two-year) degree, or
- two years of college completed (60 credit hours), or
- demonstrated knowledge, through a formal state or local academic assessment, of reading/language arts, writing and mathematics
The law states that any assessment used to certify teacher assistants must be valid, reliable, and documented.
There are two testing options for individuals seeking paraprofessional certification: WorkKeys and the ParaPro.
WorkKeys® Proficiency Certificate for Teacher Assistants (PCTA)
The WorkKeys is a 2 ½ hour computer-based exam over three content areas: Reading for Information, Applied Mathematics, and Business Writing. In addition, the applicant must have an Instructional Support Inventory completed by an administrator or teacher from the employing school district to complete the certification process.
Online Practice Test
ParaPro Assessment
This 2 ½ hour, paper/pencil test consists of 90 multiple-choice questions in reading, writing and math. Approximately two-thirds of the questions focus on basic skills and knowledge, and the remaining one-third focuses on applying those skills and knowledge in a classroom setting.
Study Guide/Practice Test
Registration Information
Costs, Dates, & Times
Costs: ParaPro - $45
WorkKeys - $55
Dates: ParaPro – National test dates during 2008-09: Sept. 13, Jan. 10, Mar. 14, & June 13.
WorkKeys – Offered Monday through Friday by appointment only.
Time: ParaPro – 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM
WorkKeys – Follows testing hours listed at right