Policy 5:285
Non-Certified Duties and Qualifications
All support staff: (1) must meet qualifications specified in job
descriptions, (2) must be able to perform the essential tasks listed
and/or assigned, and (3) are subject to Board policies as they may be
changed from time-to-time at the Board’s sole discretion.
Paraprofessionals and Teacher Aides
“Paraprofessionals” and “teacher aides” are non-certificated
personnel with instructional duties; the terms are synonymous. Service
as a paraprofessional or teacher aide requires a “statement of
approval” issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). A
paraprofessional or teacher aide first employed in a program for
students with disabilities on or before June 30, 2005, shall be subject
to this requirement as of July 1, 2007.
A paraprofessional or teacher aide in a targeted assistance program
that is paid with federal funds under Title I, Part A, or in a
school-wide program that is supported with such funds, shall hold a
“statement of approval,” issued by the ISBE, for this purpose.
Individuals with only non-instructional duties (e.g., providing
technical support for computers, providing personal care services, or
performing clerical duties) are not paraprofessionals or teacher aides
and the requirements in this section do not apply. In addition,
individuals who are completing their clinical experiences and/or student
teaching do not need to comply with this section, provided they
otherwise qualify for instructional duties under ISBE rules.
Non-certificated Personnel Working with Students Performing Non-Instructional Duties
Non-certificated personnel performing non-instructional duties may be used:
- For supervising study halls, long distance teaching reception areas
used incident to instructional programs transmitted by electronic
media, e.g., computers, video, and audio, detention and discipline
areas, and school-sponsored extracurricular activities;
- As supervisors, chaperones, or sponsors for non-academic school activities; or
- For non-teaching duties not requiring instructional judgment or student evaluation.
Nothing in this policy prevents a non-certificated person from
serving as a guest lecturer or resource person under a certificated
teacher’s direction and with the administration’s approval.
Adopted: February 19, 2008