New Law Allows Washington Schools To Use Paraeducators To Fill Special Education Teacher Shortage

Schools in Washington State are preparing to pilot new paraeducator training courses in the 2018-2019 school year to fill a shortage of special education teachers. A law passed in July 2017 provides an easier path for paraeducators, instructional aides or teacher assistants, to gain their teaching certificates. Starting in the 2018-2019 school year, districts will be able to compete for $250,000 in grant funds to pilot new paraeducator training courses. Washington schools employ about 27,000 paraeducators.

A 2016 survey on school staffing in the state found that special education slots were the hardest to fill. The . . .