Professional Development for Teacher Assistants
It is critical that all educators engage in ongoing professional development (PD) to ensure they have up-to-date knowledge and skills to help students achieve at high levels. The following reviews TA PD requirements and resources. If you would like to download a handout that contains the information provided on this webpage, click below.
Professional Development for Teacher Assistants ( 82KB / 2 pages )
- Pre-Employment Training – All instructional and non-instructional TAs hired after 1/1/99 must complete a RIDE Approved TA Training Program (as well as meeting other qualifications) prior to employment. The TA website Training Opportunities webpage has a TA Training Program Directory and profiles of each training program. It also has information on State and Federal Requirements for TA Qualifications and Use on the Legal Requirements webpage. You can click to Pre-Employment information and resources here.
- TA PD Requirements – Once on the job, state law requires, “(a) As a condition of continued employment every person employed as a TA shall participate in ongoing PD." Some districts require a minimum # of TA PD hours per year. State law also requires districts to “maintain records on TA’s completion of: (1) Training for the work assignment; (2) Continuing education and relevant coursework…” TAs should get documentation of all PD they complete Training for Teachers and put in their personnel files.
- Setting TA PD Goals – Some districts use performance evaluation as a process to assess TA strengths and needs and set PD goals. This is recommended in RIDE Guidelines. TAs can also work with their teachers to identify PD goals appropriate to the TA job assignment.
- Accessing PD By or Through Your District – Districts provide various PD supports such as TA specific training in-district, encouraging TAs to attend in-district teacher in-service training, funding TAs to attend job-related training out-of-district, providing TAs with PD days each year, TA orientation strategies, study groups, etc. Districts should consider including TA PD in their Consolidated Resources Plans (CRPs). TA PD funding sources include: Title I; Title II, Part A, Improving Teacher Quality State Grants; Title III, Part A, the English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement Act; Title V, Part A, Innovative Programs; Title VII, Part A, subpart 7, the Indian Education Program; IDEA, Part B; and Article 31.
- TA Networks - TA Networks provide TAs with PD & the chance to network with TAs from other districts. Networks meet 3 times each school year (Fall, Winter & Spring) reaching 200+ TAs each "season". Sessions are 4:00-6:00 with light refreshments. Although networks are designed particularly for TAs, we welcome teachers, administrators & others interested in TAs & the instructional teams on which they serve. TA Networks provide RIDE approved professional development. At the network, you will get a RIDE Professional Development Credit Report. This is for your records & for you to share with your district/employer to document your professional development. TAs should also document their professional development in the RICERT TA system. TA Networks are a partnership of the Educational Collaboratives & RIDE. Collaboratives serve as "Network Sponsors". This means that you:
- Register through the Collaborative Network Sponsors (NOT through the TA website)
- Attend the session at the Collaborative Network Sponsor of your choosing at East Bay Collaborative (Warren), West Bay Collaborative (Warwick), Northern RI Collaborative (Lincoln) or Southern RI Collaborative (North Kingstown).
- ParaPro Training - The TA website ParaPro webpage contains a handout entitled, ParaPro Training and Testing Resources in RI that is updated whenever new training or testing information is received. For information on ParaPro training and testing information and resources, click here.
- Staying Informed – Go to the TA website for updates. Get on RIDE’s TA Master Email List by registering on the TA website Resources webpage. Through being on this email list, you will get RIDE’s quarterly TA newsletter and routine emails about PD opportunities, resources, policy updates, etc. To access the webpage where you can register to be on RIDE’s TA Master Email, click here.
- TA Training Resources Available On Loan – These are available on loan through TA libraries at the 4 Educational Collaboratives: East Bay Collaborative (245-4998), Northern RI Collaborative (658-5790), Southern RI Collaborative (295-2888), and West Bay Collaborative (941-8353) plus 2 other sites at RI Technical Assistance Project (RITAP) (456-4600) and CHILDSPAN (729-0765). Click here for a copy of the Annotated Bibliography of TA resources, most of which are available on loan through these libraries.
- Training Module for Teacher Assistants Who Work with Students Who Have English As a Second Language - Districts can use or adapt this module to address local needs. Module content complies with RIDE ELL regulations & WIDA English Language Proficiency Standards. It trains TAs in competencies specified in RIDE State Guidelines for TAs Working Students who Have English as a Second Language. The module is an outstanding product with easy-to-follow scripts for the trainer with lecture notes & step-by-step activity instructions, handouts & transparency masters that can be converted to PowerPoints. The module is divided into 7 parts, all in PDF for downloading. Adaptations/applications you can make: (1) Module content on ESL/ELL is appropriate for various educational personnel - not just TAs - &, thus, can be used to train ESL/ELL teams of teachers, TA & others. (2) Some parts can be modified for use with any type of TA, not just TAs working with students who have English as a second language. Access this on the TA website on the Resources webpage by clicking here.
- TA Training Resources Available on the TA Website - The TA Website, Resources Webpage provides a variety of TA PD resources including, but not limited to, those listed on this handout. Access this information by clicking here.
- Online PD – Online PD is an effective way to access training to fit individual schedules as it is generally available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week using any Internet connection: school, home, community library, etc. The TA website Training Opportunities webpage provides link to a variety of online PD and related resources appropriate for TAs and those who work with them – some at no cost & some at low cost. Click here to access this resource. (Add the link to the Training Opportunities – Online PD Sub-Webpage.)
- Training for Teachers on Working with TAs – Federal & state law require that TAs work under the direction & supervision of a teacher or other appropriately certified professional staff, underscoring the need for teachers & TAs to work as instructional teams. RIDE Guidelines provide additional clarification concerning Instructional Teams, Supervision & Performance Evaluation related to TAs. Districts & related education agencies can access a module and related resources on Effective Use Of TAs on the TA website on the Resources webpage here.
- College Courses – The TA website Training Opportunities webpage has information on CCRI Supports for TAs Pursuing Associate Degrees and TA Career Advancement Opportunities in Special Education. To access information on:
