R277-324. Paraprofessional/Paraeducator Programs, Assignments, and Qualifications

R277.  Education, Administration.

R277-324.  Paraprofessional/Paraeducator Programs, Assignments, and Qualifications.

R277-324-1.  Authority, Purpose, and Oversight Category.

          (1)  This rule is authorized by:

          (a)  Utah Constitution, Article X, Section 3 which vests general control and supervision of public education in the Board;

          (b)  Subsection 53E-3-401(4), which gives the Board authority to adopt rules in accordance with its responsibilities; and

          (c)  Subsection 53E-3-501(1)(a)(i), which requires the Board to establish rules and minimum standards for the public schools regarding the qualification and certification of educators and ancillary personnel who provide direct student services.

          (2)  The purpose of this rule is to designate appropriate assignments of paraprofessionals and qualifications for paraprofessionals;

          (3)  This Rule R277-324 is categorized as Category 2 as described in Rule R277-111.

R277-324-2.  Definitions.

          (1)(a)  "Paraprofessional" or "paraeducator" means an individual who performs a non-instructional or instructional supporting role in various educational settings and may provide support in a non-instructional role, such as providing parental or guardian involvement activities or by providing support in a specific setting.

          (b)  A "paraprofessional" or "paraeducator" provides instructional support under the direct supervision of a licensed educator or other licensed or certified professional as described in Section 53F-2-411.

          (2)  "Paraprofessional training" means professional development consistent with or using information provided in this rule and the Utah Standards for Instructional Paraeducators.

R277-324-3.  Incorporation by Reference of Utah Standards for Instructional Paraeducators.

          (1)  This rule incorporates by reference the Utah Standards for Instructional Paraeducators, dated December 4, 2018.

          (2)  A copy of the Utah Standards for Instructional Paraeducators is available at:

          (a)  https://schools.utah.gov/administrativerules/documentsincorporated; and

          (b)  the offices of the Utah State Board of Education, 250 E. 500 So., Salt Lake City, Utah, 84111.

R277-324-4.  Appropriate Assignments or Duties for Paraprofessionals.

          (1)  A paraprofessional may:

          (a)  upon completion of explicit training from appropriately licensed teachers or related service providers, provide individual or small group instructional assistance or tutoring to students as designed by an appropriately licensed teacher or related service provider during times when students would not otherwise receive instruction from an appropriately licensed teacher or related service provider;

          (b)  assist with classroom organization and management, such as organizing instructional or other materials;

          (c)  provide assistance with supplementary aids and services, program modifications, and support, such as assistive technology devices and services;

          (d)  conduct parental involvement activities;

          (e)  provide support in library or media centers; or

          (f)  provide supervision for students in non-instructional settings.

          (2)  A paraprofessional may not:

          (a)  be responsible for selecting or administering formal diagnostic or psychological instruments or for interpreting the results of those instruments if the paraprofessional's training, licensure, or other forms of certification do not align with the administration and interpretation requirements stated in an instrument's technical manual;

          (b)  be responsible for selecting programming or prescribing educational activities or materials for the students without the supervision and guidance of an appropriately licensed teacher or related service provider;

          (c)  be solely responsible for designing lesson plans;

          (d)  be assigned to implement elements of an IEP for a student with disabilities without direct training, supervision, and involvement from an appropriately licensed teacher or related service provider;

          (e)  employed to fulfill the responsibilities that may only be provided by an appropriately licensed and otherwise qualified teacher or related service provider; or

          (f)  perform nursing procedures or administer medications without appropriate supervision and training from an appropriately licensed health care professional.

          (3)  A licensed teacher shall:

          (a)  prepare a lesson and plan the instruction support activities to be carried out by a paraprofessional;

          (b)  evaluate the achievement of the students with whom a paraprofessional works; and

          (c)  provide the supervision and support to the paraprofessional that the teacher deems appropriate for the paraprofessional to work effectively in the paraprofessional's role and responsibilities.

          (4)  If a paraeducator is working in a special education program, the LEA shall appropriately train the special education teacher to supervise and direct the work of the paraeducator in the paraeducator's assigned roles and responsibilities.

          (5)  An LEA that employs a paraprofessional shall establish and maintain documentation of training provided by the LEA as required in:

          (a)  Subsection (1)(a); and

          (b)  for a paraprofessional who works with a student with a disability, Utah State Board of Education Special Education Rules Section IX.E, incorporated by reference into Rule R277-750.

R277-324-5.  Requirements for Paraprofessionals in Title I Schoolwide and Targeted Assistance Programs.

          (1)  A paraprofessional hired to work in Title I schoolwide or targeted assistance programs supported by Title I funds shall be a high school graduate or equivalent and shall meet at least one of the following requirements:

          (a)  complete at least two years, or a minimum of 48 semester hours, at an accredited higher education institution;

          (b)  obtain an associate, or higher, degree from an accredited higher education institution; or

          (c)  satisfy a rigorous Board approved assessment that demonstrates:

          (i)  knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics; or

          (ii)  knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness, as appropriate.

          (2)  A paraprofessional shall satisfactorily complete a criminal background check consistent with Section 53G-11-402 and Rule R277-316.

R277-324-6.  Exceptions in Title I Schoolwide and Targeted Assistance Programs.

          The requirements in Section R277-324-4 do not apply to a paraprofessional with a high school diploma or equivalent solely providing:

          (1)  support through translator services;

          (2)  support as a parent engagement liaison; or

          (3)  personal care for students with disabilities.

R277-324-7.  Use of Funds.

          An LEA may use Title I funds in addition to other funds available and identified by the LEA to support ongoing training and professional development for paraprofessionals.

KEY:  paraprofessional qualifications

Date of Last Change:  October 8, 2024

Notice of Continuation:  September 9, 2021

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law:  Art X Sec 3; 53E-3-401(4); 53E-3-501(1)(a)(i); 53F-2-411(4)

Status of Rule

Effective October 8, 2024

Five-year review September 9, 2026

---

Oversight Framework

Category 2

---

Related Utah Law

Public Education Statutes
53E-3-501

53G-11-402

Other Statutes
None

USBE Administrative Rules
R277-100, Definitions for USBE Rules

R277-316, Professional Standards and Training for Non-licensed Employees and
Volunteers

R277-750, Education Programs for Students with Disabilities

---

Related Federal Law

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

---

Resources

Utah Standards for Instructional Paraeducators

USBE Special Education Rules

---

Contact Information

Primary Contact:
Sara Wiebke
sara.wiebke@schools.utah.gov
Student Support, Center for Continuous School Improvement

Secondary Contact:
Max Lang
max.lang@schools.utah.gov
Student Support, ESEA Programs and Related State Initiatives

---

This page was last updated on October 18, 2024.

---

NOTE: The information on this webpage is provided as a service to users and the Utah State Board of Education is not responsible for any errors or omissions.

---