§ 16-11.2-2 - General qualifications of teacher assistants. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 16-11.2-2

   § 16-11.2-2  General qualifications ofteacher assistants. – No person shall be employed as a teacher assistant in any school supported inwhole or in part by public funds unless he or she shall:

   (1) Be of good character as verified by the employer;

   (2) Hold a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma;

   (3) For any person hired after January 1, 1999, complete atraining program in compliance with the teacher assistant program standardsdeveloped by the department of elementary and secondary education pursuant to§ 16-11.2-1. The training program shall not be required of those personsemployed as a teacher assistant in another Rhode Island school district priorto January 1, 1999, those who hold certification as a teacher assistant inanother state, or those who hold an associate's or bachelor's degree and havecompleted coursework or other training consistent with the teacher assistantprogram standards developed by the department of elementary and secondaryeducation;

   (4) If hired after January 8, 2002, and providing aninstructional service, have completed at least two (2) years of study at aninstitution of higher education, obtained an associate's (or higher) degree; orotherwise met a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate through aformal state or local academic assessment an appropriate level of: (i)knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, andmathematics; or (ii) knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing,reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness, asappropriate. Assessments developed at the local level may consist ofperformance assessments documenting teacher assistant skills; and

   (5) If hired on or before January 8, 2002, and providinginstructional service, meet the requirements set forth in subdivision (4)herein not later than January 8, 2006. The employer shall pay for up to two (2)test administration fees for all teacher assistants hired prior to July 1, 2003.