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State board grants full approval to Eastern Iowa Community College paraeducator pathway
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Summary
After a departmental review found program standards met across resources, faculty and clinical practice, the State Board approved Eastern Iowa Community College’s new paraeducator preparation pathway through the next scheduled review cycle; presenters said the pathway helps students "earn while they learn."
The State Board of Education voted to grant full approval to a new paraeducator preparation pathway proposed by Eastern Iowa Community College (EICC) following a departmental desk review and an in‑person presentation by the college.
Department reviewers said the program met standards across the five review areas — organizational resources, diversity and access, faculty qualifications, assessment and program evaluation, and clinical practice — and recommended full approval through the 3132 academic review year. The board moved the recommendation, received a second, and approved it by voice vote.
EICC instructors described the program as an "earn‑while‑you‑learn" pathway. "After just 1 year of college, if they take both courses included in this program, they could begin working as a paraeducator," education instructor Emily Gaskill said, explaining that candidates complete college coursework, clinical hours and supports to transition into classroom roles while continuing toward an AA degree.
Program details presented to the board included reported enrollment in the related courses (254 students across two classes this year, with 33 active paraeducators among them), a clinical requirement that the department noted exceeds the minimum, and outreach plans including hybrid cohorts and pilot programs with local districts.
Board member discussion focused on verifying the recommendation window and confirming the motion language. The chair called the question and recorded the motion as carried.
What comes next: The program is approved through the department’s next scheduled review in the 3132 academic year; department staff and college representatives said they will continue to provide implementation supports and report progress to the board as part of normal oversight.
