• Paraeducator Certificate Program

    The paraeducator certificate program offers standards-based training for instructional paraeducators in Washington State. The Fundamental Course of Study (FCS) and general certificate are required when funding is provided by the Legislature.

    The FCS and general certificate courses are paid once the annual 14 hours have been completed.  This is because the state reimburses districts for training.  It is highly encouraged that paraeducators work on completing their annual hours as soon as possible.

  • The Fundamental Course of Study (FCS)

    The program begins with 28 hours of training that covers the paraeducator standard of practice. School districts are responsible for providing this training.All paraeducators are required to complete the Fundamental Course of Study. This training provides paraeducators with a foundation of knowledge and tools to best serve students.  

    • All paraeducators who work with students on instruction are required to complete these courses.
    • Once the courses have been completed, they do not have to be taken again
    • 12 courses make up the required 28 hours
    • Paraeducators have 1 year to complete all of the FCS courses (new requirement for 2022-23 school year)
    • Sign up for FCS courses at LearnPSD
      • Don't forget to sign in and out when you take courses or you will not get credit
    • Once you have completed 14 hours of the 28 hours, download your transcript from LearnPSD and email Lisa Rude (lrude@psd1.org)
      • Lisa will verify your hours and let you know how to submit for pay
      • You will do this twice to be paid for FCS courses

  • Entering completed courses into EDS

    Pasco School District must provide Fundamental Course of Study (FCS) training to all K-12 paraeducators. It is the paraeducators' responsibility to keep track of courses completed. Click here to find out how to locate courses you have earned clock hours for.

    The link below will walk you through how to enter the courses you have completed into EDS for OSPI: Directions to record hours in EDS

  • After completing the FCS, Paraeducators must earn an additional 70 hours of training to earn their General Paraeducator Certificate (GPC). This is to be started after completing the FCS training AND completing the steps above.

    The GPC is:

    • 70 hours of professional development training.
    • Any topic that assists the instruction of a paraeducator can be counted towards this certificate
    • The Legislature has funded this training, thus making it a requirement for districts to provide for their paraeducators who have completed the FCS.

    Important information:

    • Paraeducators are required to complete the 70 clock hours in five years.
    • Take a minimum of 14 clock hours annually to complete the 70 hours
      • Once completed, submit LearnPSD transcript for pay 
        • Please note that PSD will only pay for courses provided by Pasco and are offered for clock hours through LearnPSD
        • You must sign in and out of each training session to get credit for clock hours
    • Keep track of each course in EDS
    • Once 70 hours is complete, apply for the certificate which costs $74 and is a lifetime certificate.

    The GPC courses uses the same professional development measures as certified staff. Continuing education credit hours, known as clock hours, are for Washington educators who want to earn and keep track of professional development. 

    Pasco School District offers opportunities to attend professional development regularly. All courses on LearnPSD are approved for clock hours. It is your responsibility to ensure the course you attend aligns with at least one of the five General Paraeducator Certificate’s Standards of Practice identified below.

    College courses taken or completed after July 1, 2019 can be counted towards the GPC. The FCS must be completed before earning the GPC.

    All training sessions must meet at least one of the five General Paraeducator Certificate’s Standards of Practice and must come from approved clock hour providers as defined in WAC.

    Click here to view the standards of practice.

  • Add- on Certificates

    Paraeducators may choose to complete training on the ELL and Special Education subject matter certificates. These are designated subjects because they are where paraeducators are most often needed and require specialized training to best serve students. These credits may count towards the GPC if the 20 hours are completed for either. 

    Special Education Certificate

    This is a subject matter certificate and is available for those who wish to further their skills in special education instruction. This certificate is optional and is NOT required. To earn this subject matter certificate, you must complete the 20 hours of professional development in the subject area certificate. This training is provided by OSPI.

    This certificate does require a fee of $54 to obtain the certificate from OSPI and expires after 5 years. To renew a subject matter certificate, paraeducators must complete 20 clock hours during the validity period of the certificate. The application for renewal must be submitted to OSPI during the last year of a currently valid certificate.

    The 20 hours for this certificate can count toward the 70 required hours for the General Paraeducator Certificate.  The course and clock hours are provided by OSPI.

    Click here to enroll

    Scroll down until you see: Special Education Paraeducator Certificate.

    English Language Learners Certificate

    This is a subject matter certificate and is available for those who wish to further their skills when working with English Language Learners. This certificate is optional and is NOT required. To earn this subject matter certificate, you must complete the 20 hours of professional development in the subject area certificate.

    This certificate does require a fee of $54 to obtain the certificate from OSPI and expires after 5 years. To renew a subject matter certificate, paraeducators must complete 20 clock hours during the validity period of the certificate. The application for renewal must be submitted to OSPI during the last year of a currently valid certificate.

    The 20 hours for this certificate can count toward the 70 required hours for the General Paraeducator Certificate. The course and clock hours are provided by OSPI.

    Click here to enroll

    Scroll down until you see ELL Subject Matter Certificate.

    Student, Family, Community Engagement Class

    This course is currently under development by PESB. As soon as any information is released, we will update this section.

     

    Advanced Paraeducator Certificate

    A paraeducator may attain the advanced certificate once they have completed the general certificate and an additional 75 clock hours of professional development. This is an optional certificate.

    This certificate expires after five years, and it is not a prerequisite for a paraeducator working in any program.

    A school district must consult with  paraeducators who are interested in earning this certificate. 

    Contact Employee Services for more information.