Paraeducators.  Paraeducators provide instructional services to students while working under the direct supervision of instructional certificated staff. These services can include direct instruction of children in small and large groups, individualized instruction, testing of children, recordkeeping, and preparation of materials. Paraeducators are categorized under Washington law as classified instructional employees.

Federal law generally requires that paraeducators who work in programs supported by certain federal funds have a high school diploma or its equivalent and either:

• have completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education;
• hold an associate?s or higher degree; or
• meet a rigorous standard of quality, and can demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment, knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing in reading, writing, and mathematics.

Under state law, paraeducators must be at least 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma or its equivalent.  Paraeducators must either:

• have received a passing score on one of the assessments approved by the Paraeducator Board;
• hold an associate of arts degree;
• have earned 72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits at an institution of higher education; or
• have completed a registered apprenticeship program.

Paraeducator Fundamental Course of Study.  The paraeducator fundamental course of study (FCS) is a four-day course on the state paraeducator standards of practice.  School districts must provide the FCS to paraeducators who have not completed the course, either in the district or in another district within the state.

At least one day of the FCS 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.

School districts are only required to provide to paraeducators the number of days of the FCS for which state funding is specifically provided.  Since the 2019-20 school year, the state has appropriated funding for school districts to provide two days of the FCS each year.

State Allocation for Paraeducator Salaries.  Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, the state allocation for paraeducator salaries is increased to provide an additional statewide average of $7 per hour per full-time equivalent (FTE) paraeducator hired by school districts as reported in the 2022-23 school year.  The statewide allocation for paraeducator salaries must be adjusted by the same inflationary increases provided to certificated educators and for regional differences in the cost of hiring staff in the same manner as certificated educators.

For school districts who receive additional funding a school district's average ratio of FTE-paraeducators-to-students may not be less than the average ratio from the 2018-19 school year.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction may grant waivers to paraeducator-to-student ratio requirements on the basis that a school district is at risk of entering into binding conditions, has experience double levy failure, or is found to be in significant financial distress.

Minimum Hourly Wages for Paraeducators.  Minimum hourly wages for paraeducators are set as follows, to be adjusted for regional differences in the cost of hiring staff:

• paraeducators who have completed the fundamental course of study: $22.69 per hour?beginning in the 2026-27 school year;
• paraeducators with a valid general paraeducator certificate: $29.12 per hour?beginning in the 2027-28 school year; and
• paraeducators with a subject matter certificate, advanced paraeducator certificate, or certified behavior technician credential: $35.56 per hour?beginning in the 2028-29 school year.

Minimum salary requirements are to apply to all paraeducators regardless of full-time or part-time employment status.