Rhode Island law (RIGL 16-11.2) establishes requirements related to the employment, training and use of teacher assistants. As required by this law.
The RI Department of Education (RIDE) has established state standards that identify pre-employment requirements related to preparation required for all entry-level teacher assistants. RIDE has also developed state guidelines that address:
- Teacher Assistants Working with Students Who have English as a Second Language
- Teacher Assistants Working under the Supervision of a Classroom Teacher with Students with Speech/Language Impairments
- Teacher Assistants Who Support Students with Behaviors that Interfere with Learning and/or Relationships
- Teacher Assistants Assisting With Community-Based Instruction
- Teacher Assistants Who Support Students with Diverse Academic Needs
- Instructional Teams, Supervision and Performance Evaluation related to Teacher Assistants
- State standards have the force of regulation. Guidelines are RIDE recommended practice.
In addition to state legal requirements, in January 2002, federal legislation, the No Child Left Behind Act, was signed into law. This law establishes requirements for the qualifications of teacher assistants in certain roles. Another federal law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that personnel serving students with disabilities meet the “highest standard” in the state applicable to that job type. Thus, No Child Left Behind Act requirements are applicable to all teacher assistants working in an instructional capacity with students with disabilities. In July 2003, the RI General Assembly amended state law to comply with federal law and to establish a uniform state standard for the pre-employment qualifications of teacher assistants.
Available Resources on this Topic
Checklists for Reviewing Teacher Assistant (TA) Qualifications (140KB /6 pages)
These checklists reflect federal and state requirements for pre-employment qualifications for instructional teacher assistants and non-instructional teacher assistants. Employers of teacher assistants or prospective teacher assistants can use these checklists to evaluate the extent to which individuals meet these requirements. These checklists are based on state legal minimums for requirements for individuals to be employed as teacher assistants. School districts and related educational programs (e.g., Collaboratives, Charter Schools, State Operated Programs) can have requirements that are above our state minimums (as some do)... but not below these state minimums.
Q & A Related to State and Federal Requirements for Teacher Assistant Qualifications and Use RI Department of Education (260KB / 13 pages)
Final regulations for the No Child Left Behind Act/Title I
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004 Regulations & Comments Related to Paraprofessionals/Teacher Assistants (108KB / 4 pages)
Qualifications for Paraprofessionals Other Than Instructional and Non-Instructional Teacher Assistants
RIDE recognizes qualifications established by other state agencies for paraprofessionals other than instructional and non-instructional teacher assistants. Go to the RI Department of Health website to access qualifications and related requirements for the following:
- Nursing assistant
- Occupational therapy assistant
- Occupational therapy aide
- Physical therapy assistant
- Speech language support personnel
Go to the RI Department of Human Services website for a copy of the Medicaid Direct Services Guidebook for Local Education Agencies that includes information on:
- Physical Therapy including services provided by a physical therapy assistant under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
- Occupational Therapy including services provided by a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist.
- Speech and Language Pathology including Individual Speech Hearing and Language Program and Speech Hearing and Language Program/Group (small group) therapy that may be provided by an appropriately credentialed paraprofessional working under the supervision of a Speech-Language Pathologist certified by RIDE or a Speech-Language Pathologist licensed by the RI Department of Health.
- Personal Care Assistant working under the supervision of the classroom teacher or other appropriately credentialed staff in the school setting who provide one to one assistance to a student in accordance with requirements for personal care. (Note: A Personal Care Assistant is considered a non-instructional teacher assistant and NOT an "other paraprofessional".)
