Finding out how to become a paraprofessional in Florida is no simple matter. The laws and regulations differ by district and job, resulting in confusion for many aspiring paraeducators. Now, Dynasty Education has organized the important information about how to become a paraprofessional in Florida into one user-friendly page.

Paraprofessional jobs in Florida have varying standards depending on who is paying for the position. Paraprofessional jobs may be paid by the state, the federal government, or both.

How to Become a Paraprofessional in Florida State Jobs

Florida has created standards for paraprofessionals who are paid with No Child Left Behind Act, Title 1 Part A funds. Applicants to these paraprofessional positions must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.

However, Florida paraprofessionals with no instructional duties do not have to meet the state standard. Examples of non-instructional, paraprofessional duties are:

• Personal Care.
• Parental Involvement Activities.
• Food Service.
• Playground Supervision and Cafeteria Supervision.
• Clerical Duties.

How to Become a Paraprofessional in Florida Federal Jobs

Florida paraprofessionals, who have instructional support duties and work in Title 1 schools, must meet one of the following standards:

• Earn an associate degree or higher at an accredited college.
• Complete 2 years of education at an accredited college. The amount and type of college credits are left to the discretion of each school district.
• Pass the CLAST (College Level Academic Skills Test), ETS Praxis ParaPro Assessment, or another state-approved test.

Resources for Florida Paraprofessionals

Individuals who want to learn more about how to become a paraprofessional in Florida can visit:

• Florida Department of Education – http://www.fldoe.org.
• No Child Left Behind Website – http://www.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml.
• Dynasty Education – www.dynastyeducation.com.

Accredited Training Programs for Florida Paraprofessionals

Many individuals are taking advantage of flexible, online paraprofessional training programs like:

• University of Phoenix – Associate of Arts in Paraprofessional Education.
• Kaplan University – Associate of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies / Educational Paraprofessional.

Additional links to accredited campus-based and online degree programs are available through Dynasty Education, the leading education and career resource website.