It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "Education" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
{ADD CHAPTER 11.2
QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHER ASSISTANTS ADD}
{ADD 16-11.2-1. Teacher Assistant defined. -- ADD} {ADD The term "teacher assistant" as used in this chapter shall be deemed to include any person employed to provide instructional or other direct services to students (and/or their parents) under the supervision and direction of the classroom teacher or other appropriately-certified professional staff. ADD}
{ADD 16-11.2-2. Qualifications of teacher assistants. -- ADD} {ADD No person shall be employed as a teacher assistant in any school supported in whole or in part by public funds unless he or she shall:
(a) be of good character as verified by the employer;
(b) hold a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma or demonstrate literacy skills (including reading, writing, speaking and mathematics) necessary to work with teachers and students;
(c) have general knowledge of child development;
(d) demonstrate knowledge of universal health and safety procedures; and
(e) demonstrate knowledge of basic instructional methods and behavior management techniques, including teacher assistant/teacher collaboration. Professional Development System ADD}
{ADD 16-11.2-3. Continued professional development of teacher assistants. -- ADD} {ADD (a) As a condition of continued employment every person employed as a teacher assistant shall participate in ongoing professional development.
(b) Each school district or institution employing teacher assistants maintain records on teacher assistant's completion of:
(1) training for the work assignment;
(2) education and relevant coursework. ADD}
{ADD 16-11.2-4. Prior experience. -- ADD} {ADD Any person employed as a teacher assistant on the effective date of this act shall not be required to meet the requirement set forth in section 16-11.2-2(b), but shall meet all other requirements imposed by this section no later than date of passage. ADD}
{ADD 16-11.2-5. Standardized testing. -- ADD} {ADD No person shall be deemed not qualified to be a teacher assistant under this chapter solely because of his or her score on any standardized teacher assistant's examination. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to require standardized testing for teaching assistant positions. ADD}
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
