# Title 67 — Public Instruction, Superintendent of

## Article 67-11 — Education Professional Credentials

## Chapter 67-11-14 — Certificate of Completion for Paraprofessionals

### § 67-11-14-00.1. Definitions.

For purposes of this chapter:
1. "Instructional support" means:
a. The provision of one-on-one tutoring planned by the teacher if the tutoring is scheduled
at a time when a student would not otherwise receive instruction from a teacher;
b. Assistance with classroom management, including organizing instructional and other
materials;
c. Providing instructional assistance in a computer laboratory;
d. Conducting parental involvement activities;
e. Providing support in a library or media center;
f. Acting as a translator; or
g. Providing instructional support services under the direct supervision of a teacher.
2. "Paraprofessional" means an individual providing service as an aide, paraprofessional, or
paraeducator who provides instructional support in an early childhood through grade twelve
setting.
3. "Paraprofessionals providing instructional support in a program supported with title I funds"
means:
a. In a targeted assistance program, paraprofessionals paid with title I funds.
b. In a title I schoolwide program, all paraprofessionals in the building.
History: Effective December 1, 2003.
General Authority: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-02-16, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09
Law Implemented: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09; 20 USC 1412(a)(15); 20 USC
6319(c)-(f); 34 CFR 200.58
### § 67-11-14-01. Certificate of completion required.

Paraprofessionals providing instructional support in a program supported with title I funds and
paraprofessionals serving students with disabilities, except paraprofessionals providing services only in
the speech-language pathology discipline, must hold the North Dakota certificate of completion for their
respective discipline. Paraprofessionals providing instructional services in a program supported with
title I funds must obtain the North Dakota certificate of completion immediately upon hire.

History: Effective February 1, 2000; amended effective December 1, 2003; January 1, 2020.
General Authority: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-02-16, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09
Law Implemented: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09; 20 USC 1412(a)(15); 20 USC
6319(c)-(f); 34 CFR 200.58
### § 67-11-14-02. Issuing agency.

The North Dakota paraprofessional certificate of completion is issued by the:
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Department of Public Instruction
600 East Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 201
Bismarck, ND 58505-0440
History: Effective February 1, 2000; amended effective December 1, 2003.
General Authority: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-02-16, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09
Law Implemented: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09; 20 USC 1412(a)(15); 20 USC
6319(c)-(f); 34 CFR 200.58
### § 67-11-14-03. Certificate of completion standards.

To obtain a certificate of completion, a paraprofessional must submit a completed application form
and:
1. Paraprofessionals providing instructional support to individuals with disabilities must
demonstrate completion of twenty contact hours of inservice training conducted within one
calendar year of employment in which the paraeducator assumes assigned duties. Areas of
preparation include:
a. Student support concepts.
b. Human growth and development and the impact of disabilities.
c. Utilizing effective instructional strategies to serve students with disabilities in integrated
settings.
d. Strengthening behavior.
2. Paraprofessionals providing instructional support in a program supported with title I funds
must either:
a. Obtain a postsecondary degree of associate or higher;
b. Complete a minimum of two years of postsecondary education which is considered the
equivalent of forty-eight semester hours; or
c. Achieve a passing score on a state-approved mathematics, reading, and writing
assessment that evaluates at a level equivalent to the second year of college and
includes assessment of:
(1) The knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and
mathematics; or
(2) The knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading readiness, writing
readiness, and mathematics readiness.
History: Effective February 1, 2000; amended effective December 1, 2003.
General Authority: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-02-16, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09

Law Implemented: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09; 20 USC 1412(a)(15); 20 USC
6319(c)-(f); 34 CFR 200.58
### § 67-11-14-04. Verification process - Exclusion.

1. The local special education unit must have an approved comprehensive system of personnel
development plan on file with the superintendent of public instruction detailing how
requirements will be met. In order for the comprehensive system of personnel development
plan to be approved, it must include:
a. The nature and content of the training.
b. The number of contact hours.
c. A description of local recordkeeping procedures used for verification of training.
2. Indication of completion of twenty hours of training by the paraeducator must be documented
by a letter of verification signed by the person providing the training. The letter of verification
must be on file in the special education administrative office for monitoring purposes.
3. The requirements of this section do not apply to speech-language pathology
paraprofessionals or to paraprofessionals providing instructional support in a program
supported with title I funds.
History: Effective February 1, 2000; amended effective December 1, 2003.
General Authority: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-02-16, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09
Law Implemented: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09; 20 USC 1412(a)(15); 20 USC
6319(c)-(f); 34 CFR 200.58
### § 67-11-14-05. Effective dates.

Repealed effective January 1, 2020.
### § 67-11-14-06. Reconsideration.

If an application for a certificate of completion is denied, the applicant will be notified of the
opportunity for reconsideration. Upon receipt of a written denial, the applicant may request a
reconsideration of the denial. A request for reconsideration must be in writing and must be received by
the superintendent of public instruction within twenty-one days of the date the denial was mailed to the
applicant by the superintendent of public instruction. Untimely requests will not be considered. The
request for reconsideration must discuss:
1. The fact, law, or rule the applicant believes was erroneously interpreted or applied; and
2. The applicant's arguments on how the fact, law, or rule should have been applied, giving
specific reasons and a thorough analysis.
The superintendent of public instruction will issue a final written response on the reconsideration
request within twenty-one days after receiving a complete and timely reconsideration request.
History: Effective December 1, 2003.
General Authority: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-02-16, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09
Law Implemented: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09; 20 USC 1412(a)(15); 20 USC
6319(c)-(f); 34 CFR 200.58

### § 67-11-14-07. Use of federal rules and policies.

Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, applicable federal law and program regulations govern
paraprofessionals.
History: Effective December 1, 2003.
General Authority: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-02-16, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09
Law Implemented: NDCC 15.1-02-11, 15.1-32-02, 15.1-32-09; 20 USC 1412(a)(15); 20 USC
6319(c)-(f); 34 CFR 200.58
