C.R.S. Section 23-1-121.7
Commission directive

  • paraprofessional programs

(1)

The general assembly finds that:

(a)

The number of paraprofessionals who assist teachers in the classroom has increased in recent years both in absolute numbers and as a proportion of all instructional staff;

(b)

Paraprofessionals are a valuable asset to school districts, providing many hours of additional instructional time for students, especially as public schools are called upon to provide increasing services for children with disabilities and children for whom English is a second language;

(c)

As parents are requesting and school districts are attempting to provide smaller class sizes, the prudent use of well-qualified paraprofessionals to maximize individualized instruction provides school districts with a means to reach every student and to assist every student in reaching his or her full potential;

(d)

In passing the “No Child Left Behind Act of 2001”, Public Law 107-110, congress has expressed the intention that all paraprofessionals working in Title I programs be highly qualified;

(e)

A paraprofessional working in a Title I program may demonstrate that he or she is highly qualified in several ways, including completion of at least two years of postsecondary study, obtaining an associates or higher degree, or successfully taking an assessment selected by the state or by the employing school district that meets state and federal standards and that demonstrates knowledge of and the ability to assist in instruction of reading, writing, and mathematics;

(f)

Because state and federal laws identify specific criteria for paraprofessional qualification and school districts retain flexibility for using paraprofessional instructional support services, further regulation of paraprofessionals, including certification or licensing, is not required;

(g)

To assist school districts in identifying highly qualified paraprofessionals, community colleges and four-year institutions of higher education are strongly encouraged to provide education paraprofessional preparation programs, and it is useful to create a procedure for approval of education paraprofessional preparation programs.

(2)

As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, “paraprofessional” means a person who is trained to assist a licensed teacher or special services provider.

(3)

Repealed.

(4)

At a minimum, an approved education paraprofessional preparation program shall:

(a)

Be aligned with federal and state standards for paraprofessionals;

(b)

Consist of courses designed to convey to a student knowledge in reading, writing, mathematics, and science, and the skills necessary to assist a licensed teacher in teaching reading, writing, mathematics, and science;

(c)

Be aligned with statewide transfer agreements.

Source: Section 23-1-121.7 — Commission directive - paraprofessional programs, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-23.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

23‑1‑101
Legislative declaration
23‑1‑101.1
Definitions
23‑1‑102
Commission established - terms of office
23‑1‑103
Advisory committee to the Colorado commission on higher education
23‑1‑104
Financing the system of postsecondary education - report
23‑1‑105
Duties and powers of the commission with respect to appropriations
23‑1‑105.5
Duties and powers of the commission with respect to student fees - report on tuition and fees
23‑1‑106
Duties and powers of the commission with respect to capital construction and long-range planning - legislative declaration - report - definitions
23‑1‑106.3
Duties and powers of the commission - capital construction projects - federal mineral lease revenues fund - higher education institutions financed purchase of an asset cash fund
23‑1‑106.7
Duties and powers of the department with respect to technology transfers
23‑1‑107
Duties and powers of the commission with respect to program approval, review, reduction, and discontinuance
23‑1‑108
Duties and powers of the commission with regard to systemwide planning - reporting - definitions
23‑1‑108.5
Duties and powers of the commission with regard to common course numbering system - council of higher education representatives - definitions - repeal
23‑1‑109
Duties and powers of the commission with regard to off-campus instruction - provision of concurrent enrollment programs - legislative declaration - definitions
23‑1‑109.3
Duties and powers of the commission with regard to student data - memorandum of understanding
23‑1‑109.7
Duties and powers of the commission with regard to the provision of educational services
23‑1‑109.8
Duties and powers of the commission with regard to employment first policies
23‑1‑110
Organization, meetings, and staff
23‑1‑112
Tuition - reciprocal agreements
23‑1‑113
Commission directive - admission standards for baccalaureate and graduate institutions of higher education - policy - report - definitions
23‑1‑113.2
Department directive - admission standards for students holding international baccalaureate diplomas - legislative declaration
23‑1‑113.3
Commission directive - developmental education courses - report
23‑1‑113.5
Commission directive - resident admissions - report - definitions
23‑1‑113.7
Commission directive - nursing programs - employer-based gift and scholarship fund - reporting requirement - legislative declaration
23‑1‑119
Department directive - transition between K-12 education system and postsecondary education system
23‑1‑119.1
Department directive - notice of postsecondary educational opportunities and higher education admission guidelines
23‑1‑119.2
Commission directive - notice of college preparatory courses for high school students
23‑1‑119.3
Department directive - exchange of student records
23‑1‑119.5
Online career platform - appropriations from Colorado work force development council
23‑1‑120
Commission directive - incentives for improvement initiative grants
23‑1‑121.2
Department directive - educator preparation pathways - public information
23‑1‑121.7
Commission directive - paraprofessional programs
23‑1‑121.8
Department directive - workgroup on diversity in the educator workforce - duties - recommendations - report - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal
23‑1‑125
Commission directive - student bill of rights - degree requirements - implementation of core courses - competency test - prior learning - prior work-related experience
23‑1‑126
Commission directive - nursing programs
23‑1‑127
Commission directive - regional education providers - criteria
23‑1‑128
Commission directive - American sign language in higher education institutions
23‑1‑129
Commission directive - student loans
23‑1‑131
Commission directive - associate degree completion program - legislative declaration - definitions
23‑1‑131.5
Commission directive - Colorado re-engaged (CORE) initiative - four-year institutions - associate degrees - report - definitions
23‑1‑132
Commission directive - tuition waivers for exonerated persons
23‑1‑133
Commission directive - bachelor of science degree in nursing program - Aims community college - approval
23‑1‑134
Commission directive - open educational resources - course notice - report - definitions
23‑1‑135
Department directive - undergraduate degree and certificate programs - annual return on investment report - definition - repeal
23‑1‑136
Department directive - federal student loan repayment and forgiveness program information
23‑1‑137
Prohibition on use of American Indian mascots - exemptions - definitions
23‑1‑137.5
Tribal regalia at college graduation ceremonies - definitions
23‑1‑139
Department directive - contract for use of online platform for public benefits
23‑1‑140
Commission directive - statewide student success measures - definitions
23‑1‑141
Student success data system - student success data transparency - appropriation - definition - repeal
23‑1‑142
Commission directive - expansion of forestry and wildfire mitigation degree and certificate programs - simulator - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 23-1-121.7’s source at colorado​.gov