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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to go through the training if I hold a bachelor's degree or higher?
YES--all paraeducators regardless of education/experience must complete the Fundamental Course of Study and certificate program.
What if I hold a education certificate? Do I need to complete the General Certificate training program?
For the Fundamental Course of Study - ALL paraeducators must complete the 28 hour course regardless of certification or education.
For the General Certificate - If you hold a valid education certificate (Teacher, CTE, First People's Language/Culture, Educational Staff Associate (ESA) or Administrator), you do NOT need to complete the General Ed or Subject Matter Certificate programs--you are considered to have met the requirement for 70 continuing education credit hours. (You DO need to complete the Fundamental Course of Study program).
**If you only hold a limited certificate (such as conditional, emergency substitute, intern substitute teacher, transitional or substitute), you DO need to complete the General Ed certificate program (and Subject Matter Certificate program, if interested).
If I am hired from another school district, will my training hours transfer to Mount Vernon?
Yes--courses will be tracked in the EDS/eCert system; paraeducators will not lose training hours provided they completed the course.
Are training requirements different if I work less hours than a colleague?
No--if a paraeducator is providing instruction to students, they will need to complete all of the required trainings regardless of work hours per day.
Will there be any tests?
No tests will be given--paraeducators need to attend the training to receive the clock hour credit. Paraeducators who complete the trainings will be awarded a certificate of completion for the Fundamental Course of Study program.
How do I complete the online trainings if I don't have a computer at home?
You may be able to access and/or check out a Chromebook from your school. Check with your building administrator.
FUNDAMENTAL COURSE OF STUDY
There's so much paperwork - how will it be tracked/managed?
Paraeducators will need to complete Section 1 of the Continuing Education Credit Hours (Clock Hours) form for the Fundamental Course of Study. Submit the clock hour form to Grace Arnold, Personnel for processing.
Once signed by Jon Ronngren, the ORIGINAL clock hour form will be held by the personnel office until completion of 28 hours. The district will also maintain a database of courses completed by employees. Upon completion of the 28 hour Fundamental Course of Study, the district will issue a Certificate of Completion and send original clock hour forms to employee for their files; a copy will be maintained in the employee's personnel file.
Employees will complete additional pay forms for hours worked beyond their normal contracted work day. Submit the additional pay form to Grace Arnold, Personnel.
GENERAL CERTIFICATE
How do I document training/clock hour completions for the General Certificate?
Trainings must be provided by an approved clock hour provider; following training completion, the paraeducator will need to download/sign the clock hour form (titled Transcript) and submit to Grace Arnold to process.
How do I enter college credits towards the General Certificate?
Any college credits (100 level or higher) taken on/after July 1, 2019 can be used towards their general certificate. Paraeducators must enter their credits similar to entering clock hours and should maintain transcripts showing credits earned.
I completed 40 hours last year, do I still need to complete 14 hours this year?
Yes, you should be completing 14 hours per year until you reach 70 hours. The additional hours you complete last year do not negated the need to complete 14 hours this year.
Does the General Certificate expire?
No. Once a paraeducator completes their General Certificate, it will cost $74 to receive the certificate--this is a one-time cost.
What if I resign my position in Mount Vernon to work in another school district before I complete the General Certificate program?
It is the responsibility of the paraeducator (with the help of the school district) to track and record training completions in their e-cert account--if recorded in e-cert, the training will follow the paraeducator.
SUBJECT MATTER CERTIFICATES
Do Subject Matter certificate completions count towards the General Certificate?
Yes! Each Subject Matter Certificate equals 20 hours of training and counts towards the 70 hour requirement for the General Certificate. The paraeducator will then only have to complete 50 hours of training for the General Certificate. If the paraeducators completes both Subject Matter Certificate programs (ELL and Special Education - a value of 40 hours), they will only need to complete 30 hours of training for the General Certificate.
Embedding the certificates is an excellent opportunity to meet the required hours AND receive focused training in a subject area. Note! Each course is 20 hours -- the modules are time-driven. If you rush/skip through, you will only receive credit for the time you spent in the program.
Is there a cost associated with the Subject Matter Certificate?
Yes, the fee is $54 for each certificate ($108 if you complete both); once the hours have been earned, the fee is assessed through the EDS/e-Cert account when the paraeducator applies for a certificate.
Are there different documentation requirements for the Subject Matter Certificates?
Yes--the paraeducator will need to complete the Subject Matter Clock Hour form (similar to the Fundamental Course of Study form).
Do Subject Matter certificates expire?
Yes - they are valid for 5 years; the application for renewal must be submitted during the last year of the currently valid certificate. Expired certificates may be renewed with completion of 20 clock hours within the previous five years from the date of the renewal application.
If the paraeducator does not apply for the Subject Matter Certificate and it is embedded in the General Certificate training hours, then the paraeducator does not need to re-do the Subject Matter training program -- it only becomes invalid if they apply and obtain for the specific subject matter certificate through OSPI.
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