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Radford board approves local paraprofessional assessment to certify aides at no cost
Summary
The Radford City Schools Board approved a locally administered paraprofessional assessment that the division will score and use to certify paraprofessionals as "highly qualified," eliminating the $85 fee charged for the state test.
The Radford City Schools Board on April approved a locally administered paraprofessional assessment that staff said will allow paraprofessionals to be certified as “highly qualified” without paying the state’s $85 testing fee.
The assessment, presented by Doctor McDaniel, is modeled on the state-approved exam and covers reading, writing and math. “It looks very much like an SOL test to be honest,” Doctor McDaniel said, and staff noted the state assessment contains 90 questions while the proposed local assessment contains 70.
School staff said the local option will let the division administer, score and certify candidates on site and give paraprofessionals remedial help and retest opportunities without out-of-pocket costs. Doctor McDaniel said the local test can be taken in three parts so candidates do not have to complete it in one sitting.
Board members moved to add the assessment to the agenda and then to approve it as an action item; the motion carried by voice vote. The board did not record an individual roll-call tally in the public transcript.
Board materials and the presentation packet do not include a copy of the test; staff said the assessment is embargoed to avoid invalidating it.
