Section 25.433  Short-Term Approval for Paraprofessional

Subject to the provisions of this Section, an individual may receive a short-term approval for paraprofessional if the individual does not hold necessary qualifications for the Educator License with Stipulations endorsed for Paraprofessional (ELS-PARA). Nothing in this Section is intended to modify existing license requirements under Section 25.510. 

a)         Applicability. The short-term approvals described in this Section shall be available for application until June 30, 2025.

b)         Application Procedures

1)         An individual seeking short-term approval under this Section shall submit an application in ELIS.

2)         The application for short-term approval shall be approved by the State Board if the applicant provides proof of holding a high school diploma (or equivalent) or higher.

3)         Acquisition of the ELS-PARA. Individuals who work as a paraprofessional on the short-term approval shall be issued the ELS-PARA by the State Superintendent upon expiration of the short-term approval if the following requirements are met:

A)        The individual files an application for the ELS-PARA in ELIS prior to the short-term approval expiring; and

B)        The individual provides evidence of completing the requirements of Section 25.510 to the State Superintendent prior to the license being issued.

c)         Validity

Short-term approvals issued pursuant to this Section shall expire on June 30 immediately following the third full fiscal year after the approval was issued and shall not be renewed.

d)         Reporting

The State Board of Education will report the number of short-term paraprofessional approvals issued in each fiscal year, starting with fiscal year 2023, on its website.

(Source:  Added at 46 Ill. Reg. 12973, effective July 13, 2022)