Fundamental Course of Study.  The paraeducator fundamental course of study is a four-day course on the state paraeducator standards of practice.  School districts must provide the fundamental course of study to paraeducators who have not completed the course, either in the district or in another district within the state, except that districts must provide only the number of days of the course for which state funding is specifically provided.  

At least one day of the fundamental course of study must be provided in person.  School districts must use best efforts to provide the course before the paraeducator begins to work with students and their families, and at a minimum by the following deadlines:

• in all districts, for paraeducators hired on or before September 1:  the first two days of the course must be provided by September 30 of that year, and the second two days of the course must be provided within six months of the date of hire; and
• in districts with 10,000 or more students, for paraeducators hired after September 1:  the first two days of the course must be provided within four months of the date of hire, and the second two days of the course must be provided within six months of the date of hire or by September 1 of the following year, whichever is sooner; and
• in districts with fewer than 10,000 students, for paraeducators hired after September 1, the entire course must be provided by September 1 of the following year.

School districts must provide the first day of the fundamental course of study to paraeducators within 30 days of the date of hire and the remainder of the fundamental course of study within six months of the date of hire.  The fundamental course of study must be provided in person, except that up to two days of the fundamental course of study may be provided as synchronous online instruction.