For Paraeducator Applicants

What Is It?
The ParaPro Assessment is a general aptitude test for prospective and practicing paraprofessionals that measures your:

• skills and knowledge in reading, writing, and math
• ability to apply them when assisting in classroom instruction 

Do I need to take it?
Beginning with the school year 2019-20, all employed paraeducators must meet the following minimum employment requirements under state and federal law:

• Be at least eighteen years of age and hold a high school diploma or its equivalent

In addition, a paraeducator must meet one of the following:

1. Have received a qualifying score on the Education Testing Service (ETS) paraeducator assessment (ParaPro)
2. Hold an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university
3. Have earned 72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits at the 100 level or higher at an accredited college or university
4. Have completed an apprenticeship as a paraeducator, in a program registered with the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council*

If you do not qualify under options 2-4, then you would need to take the ParaPro Assessment to be considered for a regular paraeducator position with the Mead School District. 

I am ready, how do I schedule my test?
To register for the ParaPro Assessment either at a test center or at home, please visit the Prometric website at https://www.prometric.com/ParaPro

What subjects are covered in the test?
The ParaPro Assessment measures your knowledge in reading, writing, and math.

What are the questions like?
The assessment has 90 multiple-choice questions

• Approximately two-thirds focus on basic skills and knowledge.
• The remaining one-third focus on applying skills in the classroom.

How long is the ParaPro test?
The test takes 2.5 hours to complete.

What is considered a passing score?
In order to be considered for employment, individuals must meet or exceed Washington’s qualifying score of 461.

I have a disability, are there accommodations that can be made?
"Testing accommodations are available for test takers with disabilities who meet ETS requirements.  To request a testing accommodation, you must register through ETS Disability Services and have your accommodations approved before testing.

How do I take the test?
There are 2 ways to take your ParaPro exam, either in a test center or remotely at home using Prometric’s ProProctor™ application.

To take the ParaPro test at home, you must have a computer with a camera, an internet connection and the ability to install a lightweight app (prior to the test event). You will be able to take the test online while a Prometric proctor is overseeing the examination process remotely.

Are there specific rules for taking the test from home?
At-home testing is:

• Taken on your own computer at home or another secure location
• Monitored by a human proctor online through ProProctor
• Available 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET (5 a.m. – 2 p.m. PT), Monday through Friday.

What is the cost of testing?
The test fee for the ParaPro Assessment is $85 and is charged to the test taker.

• ETS - ParaPro
• ETS - ParaPro Assessment Information Bulletin
• ParaPro Assessment Study Companion
• ParaPro Assessment Tutorial
• Teachers Test Prep - ParaPro Prep Resources
• ParaPro Practice Test
• https://www.youtube.com/ (Search ParaPro, or Parapro Assessment)

FAMILIARIZE yourself with the test before taking it. Read the information and look at the types of questions and the test format. READ the directions carefully.  Utilize the practice tests prior to taking the actual test.

CONSIDER all answer choices before marking one.

PACE your activities. Know the total number of test questions and time allowed for the entire test. Work rapidly without being careless. Don't spend too much time on difficult questions.

GUESS rather than not respond at all. There's no penalty or subtraction of points for answering a question incorrectly. You risk nothing by guessing, but if you don't respond, you lose the chance to raise your score by making an educated guess.

MARK your answers clearly, and give only one answer per question.

REVIEW your answers if you finish early. (ETS ParaPro)

Pearson’s Paraprofessional assessment will not be available for implementation at the effective date.  Additional information will be provided as soon as it is available.

There are two components to The Master Teacher Inc. Paraeducator Online Training Program: a knowledge component and an instructional component. Candidates must earn 65% on each to meet the passing score threshold for the assessment.

• Instructional Component: Evaluates the ability to support reading, writing, and math instruction.
• Knowledge Component: Evaluates the knowledge and skills to solve problems in reading, writing, and math.

Cost of Training:  $95 (includes the assessments as well.

How Long Can the training be accessed? 1 year

How do I enroll in this training? To enroll in the Training, go to https://www.masterteacher.com/paraeducator-online-training