Paraeducator Certificate Program

Paraeducator Requirements: Background

During the 2017 Legislative session, the Paraeducator Board was created and tasked to adopt paraeducator minimum employment requirements; establish general, subject matter and advanced paraeducator certificates; and make recommendations for a paraeducator career ladder.

As a result, the certificate program was created. Prior to the certificate program, there had never been a statewide standard for paraeducator training. These training requirements will ensure all Washington students have access to paraeducators trained on the same fundamentals and course work: The Paraeducator Certificate Program offers statewide standards-based training for all instructional paraeducators to enhance their practice and career as a paraeducator.

Given that paraeducators provide vital instruction, this professional development will help ensure that paraeducators are provided the necessary training to support our students’ academic and behavioral success.

The foundation of the Paraeducator Certificate Program is the Standards of Practice. These standards define the knowledge and skill competencies required for an instructional paraprofessional.

The five standards are:

Support instructional opportunities
Demonstrate professionalism and ethical practices
Support a positive and safe learning environment
Communicate effectively and participate in the team process
Demonstrate cultural competence

To meet the requirements of this program, paraeducators must receive training in the knowledge and skill competencies of each standard.

Canvas Login

Access the login page for your online classes via Canvas here.

Paraeducator Certificate Program infographic

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

More FAQs are listed on the PESB website.

Who is required to participate in the training?

A paraeducator is defined as a “classified public school or district employee who works under the supervision of a certificated or licensed staff member to support and assist in providing instructional and other services to students and their families.” In Lakewood, this includes all of our K-12 paraeducators in general or special education classrooms. Bus drivers, recess supervisors and some others do not need to participate. Please inquire with your Dean if you are uncertain.

The training requirement only applies to K-12 employees. While we encourage preschool paraeducators to complete the training, you are not required to do so and time for this training will not be provided within your workday.

I was hired as a paraeducator for the current year and/or I did not complete the Fundamental Course of Study (FCS) Training in my last district.

Welcome to Lakewood! We appreciate your dedication and commitment to supporting high levels of learning, growth, and achievement for each student!

You are required to complete the Fundamental Course of Study (FCS) Training
- There are 28 hours of required trainings, seven (7) of which will be in-person. The remaining hours are provided through the Northwest’s ESD’s FCS online training program. All training hours will be incorporated into your workday.
- The content of each FCS course is determined by Washington State
- All training must be completed this school year.
- If you hold a valid teaching certificate (teacher, CTE, First People’s Language/Culture, Educational Staff Associate (ESA), or administrator), you still are required to complete the FCS training.

What are the modules I am required to do?

Support Education Outcomes

FCS01: Introduction to cultural identity and diversity (4 hours)
FCS02: Methods of educational and instructional support (4 hours)
FCS03: Technology basics (2 hours)
FCS04: Using and collecting data (1 hour)

Total: 11 hours

Demonstrate Professional and Ethical Practices

FCS05: District orientation of roles and responsibilities (3 hours)
FCS06: Equity (3 hours)

Total: 6 hours

Support a positive and safe learning environment

FCS07: Behavior management strategies including de-escalation techniques (in-person training; 2 hours)
FCS08: Child and adolescent development (2 hours)
FCS09: Emergency and Health Safety (1 hour)
FCS10: Positive and safe learning environment (in-person training; 3 hours)

Total: 8 hours

Communicate Effectively and Participate in the Team Process

FCS11: Communication Basics (in-person training; 2 hours)
FCS12: Communication challenges (1 hour)

Total: 3 hours

Total Training Hours: 28 hours

Access the login page for your online classes via Canvas here.

I was hired before the 2023-2024 school year and/or need my General Certificate.

If you hold a valid educational certificate (teacher, CTE, First People’s Language/Culture, Educational Staff Associate (ESA) or administrator, you do NOT need to complete the General Certificate program; you are considered to have met the requirements for 70 continuing educational credit hours.
The General Certificate is an additional 70 close hours of training beyond the required 28 FCS hours; your 28 FCS hours do not count towards the general certificate.
- Each year, paraeducators are expected to complete 14 hours toward the general certificate
- Unlike the FCS (Fundamental Course of Study) training, the General Certificate is not a prescribed sequence of courses.
The 70 hours must be completed within five (5) years after completing the FCS hours.
Any clock hours or credits earned (100 level or above) within two years of the current school year count towards the General Certificate
- One (1) quarter college credit = 10 clock hours
- One (1) semester college credit = 15 clock hours

How do I obtain my 14 required clock hours?

FCS in-person training (up to 7 hours)
- To be completed during fall conference week
FCS canvas training (up to 21 hours)—only for K-12 paraeducators NEW to the profession
- Please coordinate with your dean
General certificate training (up to 14 hours)—to be completed AFTER FCS training
- Various opportunities
- More details to come
District directed days (paras can participate for clock hours)

Strongly Preferred: participate in training that is offered by the Lakewood School District or at your building.

All 14 hours will be provided during your workday.

Paraeducators are responsible for registering for the courses or training you are using to satisfy the 70 hours. You also need to keep the clock hour records and record your courses in e-Cert.

Almost any professional learning for which clock hours are awarded can be used toward the general certificate. Please remember that clock hours offered outside of Lakewood School District often have fees, which are not paid by the district. However, professional learning offered by Lakewood School District for clock hours are nearly always free of charge.

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