We still have 1 1/2 weeks of vacation left HOORAY!!!!!
Went to registration yesterday and was handed a list of staff for each school. Instead of getting another one or two new Sped teachers (which we need) we have acquired a slew of SpEd aides.
I am looking for some advice on what qualifies a person to be a sped aide. Is there certification, or is it any teacher’s aid, or a parent for that matter, that is willing to take on the job?
What questions should I ask?
Aren't you in Illinois?
The requirements vary by state (and this is a national BB). I thought you were in Illinois, right? If so, here is a link to the website for the Illinois Dept of Ed (may be called Board of Ed). It tells you what is required and not required.
http://www.isbe.net/teachers/Documents/minreq.htm#teachaideapprov
In Missouri, for example, a teachers aide must have a high school diploma (get that!) and have ten hours of training each year. T’aint much, Maynard! But, what can we expect for $8-$10/hour…
Re: Aren't you in Illinois?
Yes I am. Thank you for linking me to this. I tried finding the continuum placement options thing for Illinois and didn’t have any luck. Any suggestions, or am I just missing it? Also, can districts have their “own” continuum, because I was told that self-contained is not on “our” continuum.
I'll try to research and get back to you
Walzing through the state plan is a hefty task and I’m too tired tonight to tackle it. Why don’t you contact your local LDA office. They may have some advocacy information to send you. Also, how about your parent training center? I’m sure Illinois has one!
www.ldanatl.org and the link to state web pages.
Did you get that “not on our continuum” statement in writing? With an advocate as a witness? I’m going to bet it’s not appropriate; however, without researching the state plan, etc., we cannot be sure.
Being a learned advocate is a time-consuming job. Everything varies by state and so one cannot “spout” Missouri information to you in Illinois.
As Dr. Phil says…Time to *get real.*
Re: I'll try to research and get back to you
In our state, WA, you just have to be a high school grad
and they will train you.
That said, all of my son’s aides have graduated from
college and most are moms who were heavy volunteers
before they stated as aides. (Good job for moms with
kids in school *if* pay isn’t too much of an issue! ;-)
I am a sub aide, college grad *and* I am the mother of
three dyslexic children - which is probably my best
qualification!
Anne
Re: I'll try to research and get back to you
Well I can tell you it is NOT a state rule. I too live in Illinois and we do have self contained classrooms in our district for LD students. Illinois also has new rules for their aides if I remember correctly by I think 2005 they will be required to have an associattes degree and X amount of hours of training.
Re: special ed aide
The new ESEA, Title 1, whatever we call it………requires an A.A. degree for the job. We just hired a new one and she has.
The training is up to me, though and that is fine.
Re: special ed aide
Im in IL as of June, but Id been a regular ed aide in IN and I have a college degree-they prefer 60 hours of college but have been known to settle for less
Special ed, in my experience there, requires even less because some of the people they hire are individual aides-help with feeding, toileting-as these kids age, lifting or restraining a potentially violent teen becomes a bigger requirement than education. Special ed was also hired by totally different people than the school corp-the principal for example could NOT fire a special ed employee.
I had a friend with no training past high school who was a special ed resource room aide-honestly, you couldnt find anyone who cared more about the kids and her son had minor struggles himself. The kids were split between her and the actual teacher-which SHOULD be a no-no-but honestly I perceived no difference acc/to which group hed been in that week.
If the teachers are remediating and using all those lovely programs we hear about on the board, training would be essential, but again, if theyre helping them complete unfinished classwork….a mom with her heart in it may do even better!
Re: I'll try to research and get back to you
oops, I messed up!
(late night, first day of school, youngest and oldest
sons finding all sorts of things to stress about….)
In our district, aides can be high school grads.
Not sure about the state (Washington state).
Anne
I would think that depends on the school. I know here in Southern California basically anyone can become a SpEd aide. They just need to apply and pass a basic skills test.
I’d ask the school for more specifics. I’m sure some aides are excellent while others may not be as experienced (I was once offered an SpEd aide job by one of my daughter’s teachers and I would probably be a very good aide).