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RICERT TA Resources

The RI Department of Education (RIDE) has developed a computer-based system known as RICERT TA to track the qualifications, assignments and professional development of Teacher Assistants.

RICERT TA Fact Sheet

The RICERT TA Fact Sheet handout provides a basic overview of RICERT TA. Download the RICERT TA Fact Sheet (70KB, 1 pg)

RICERT TA Manual

The RICERT TA Manual provides many resources including:

  • Step-by-step instructions for what administrators and TAs need to do to learn to use the system
  • Pictures known as "Screen Shots" of what you will see on the computer as you do each task to make it easy for you to follow the instructions
  • Copies of letters/documents that the system will email to TAs such as the RIDE TA "Statement of Qualifications" so that you can see how nice this will look.

This website provides the RICERT TA Manual in two versions:

Quick References for RICERT TA

You will need the RICERT TA Manual to learn to use the system at first, but these short "quick references" will help you understand the key tasks you need to do and refer you to the appropriate Manual section for each task. There are three (3) quick references that you can download:

Worksheet for Professional Development (PD) Activity Documentation on RICERT TA

This handout has step-by-step instructions for how TAs will log on to the RICERT TA System through a computer and enter documentation of professional development activities into the system. While the Manual has clear instructions for this, this worksheet is a "shortcut". Filling out the worksheet at the time of an actual PD activity will help TAs become familiar with information they need to enter into the computer and will be an easy reminder of how to log on to the system. Download the handout (158KB, 2pgs)

Resources for Conducting an Awareness Session for Teacher Assistants on RICERT TA

RIDE and RITAP have developed resource materials to support districts in conducting RICERT TA training for TAs. These resources are intended for training at the awareness/overview level only. For in-depth systems-use training, the district should augment the PowerPoint presentation with the actual sections of the RICERT TA Manual applicable to TAs as part of hands-on computer-based training as well as providing TAs copies of our resources that appear on this web page.

Download the presentation, entitled "Awareness Session for Teacher Assistants on RICERT TA" as a powerpoint file (2MB) or pdf file (2MB, 29pgs).

Resources for Local RICERT TA Implementation

Form to Collect Teacher Assistant Profile Personal Information for Roster Entries

Local administrators can use this form to collect information from each teacher assistant to help administrators be able to complete the Personal Information section on the Teacher Assistant Profile. Completing this personal information section on the profile is a step needed in entering teacher assistants to school rosters. This form is provided in Word so that you can download it and adapt as needed for local use. You might choose to use this form in a variety of ways, e.g., provide to each of your schools for collecting information in each building, provide in a meeting with teacher assistants for collection at that time, etc.

Checklists for Reviewing TA Qualifications

Completion and verification of the teacher assistant's Qualification Worksheet requires that people be aware of the qualifications for Instructional Teacher Assistants, Non-Instructional Teacher Assistants and Other Paraprofessionals. A document, "Checklists for Reviewing TA Qualifications", located on the Legal Requirements webpage, provides this information. You may choose to copy this form for persons completing or verifying Qualification Worksheets. In addition, within the RICERT TA system, most of the pages allow you to click on "Help" at the top of the page. Most "Help" items allow you to click to the TA Website where you can access this form on the Legal Requirements webpage.

Professional Development for Teacher Assistants

In using the RICERT TA system, administrators and teacher assistants may be interested in requirements and resources related to Professional Development (PD) for TAs. A document, "Professional Development for Teacher Assistants", located on the Training Opportunities webpage, provides this information. You may choose to copy this form as a resource. In addition, within the RICERT TA system, most of the pages allow you to click on "Help" at the top of the page. Most "Help" items allow you to click to the TA Website where you can access this form on the Training Opportunities webpage.

RICERT TA Assignment Data Collection Form

This form is provided to assist districts/educational programs in gathering information for adding teacher assistant (TA) Assignments to the RICERT TA system. It is provided in Word so that you can download it and adapt as needed for local use. It may be used in various ways. One strategy might be to make copies of the form, print labels (name and school) for all TAs by school location and affix a label on each, keeping them in school order. Then access information as appropriate to your district and enter this information on each TA's form before actually beginning the process of 'entering' the information into the system. Once all the forms are completed, all of the assignment/funding information will be at hand in the order that the system asks for it and the data entry will be quick and easy. Download the form.

Local Strategies for RICERT TA Implementation from Districts / Programs

Survey results of how districts / programs are implementing RICERT TA.

RICERT TA Implications for TA Training Programs

Download the document in pdf format.

Other Paraprofessionals - Completing Their Qualification Worksheets on RICERT TA

This handout provides guidance on needed steps to correctly complete the Qualification Worksheet on people qualified as and employed as other paraprofessionals, e.g., nursing assistants, Occupational therapy assistant, Occupational therapy aide, Physical therapy assistant and Speech language support personnel. Download the handout.