• Paraeducator Certification

  • Paraeducator Permits

    The Paraeducator Permit authorizes you to work in the Delaware public school system and provide services to students under the direct supervision of a licensed teacher.  Paraeducators are not "educators" within the meaning of Title 14 Delaware Code §1202(4).

    There are three permits that a Paraeducator in Delaware may hold:

    • Title I Paraeducator: A public school employee who provides one on one or small group instruction; assists with classroom management; provides assistance in a computer laboratory; provides support in a library or media center; or provides instructional services to students under the direct supervision of a teacher. Additionally, Title I Paraeducators are all Instructional Paraeducators who work with regular students and children with disabilities in Title I schoolwide schools and all Title I Paraeducators who work with children receiving Title I services in Title I targeted assistance schools, except those whose duties are limited to acting as a translator or as a home school liaison.
    • Instructional Paraeducator: A public school employee who provides one-on-one or small group instruction; assists with classroom management or individual student behavior; provides assistance in a computer laboratory; provides support in a library or media center; assists in training and support with functional skill activities, such as personal care or assistive technology; or provides instructional services to students under the direct supervision of a teacher. Instructional Paraeducators are those working with regular education students and students with disabilities in schools other than Title I schoolwide schools or with students not receiving Title I services in Title I targeted assistance schools.
    • Service Paraeducator: A public school employee who provides support services other than instructional assistance to students, but does not include bus aides as per Title 14 Delaware Administrative Code 1105.

    Note: If you meet the requirements for either a Title I or Instructional permit, you are issued all three permits automatically.

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  • DEEDS Application Process

    To begin you must first register and apply in The Delaware Educator Data System (DEEDS) to create a profile record (i.e., name, contact information, education information, student teaching, work experience, etc.).  You must request to have all required documentation of official transcripts and test scores sent to the appropriate office based on whether you are currently employed in a Delaware public school or not.

    Employed applicants should have their documents forwarded to the Department via their district office or charter school HR staff.  Documents submitted by districts and charters must have met the standard of official documents when received at the district-or school-level.

    Non-Employed applicants should have their documents forwarded to the Department’s Licensure and Certification office:

    Delaware Department of Education
    ATTN: Licensure & Certification
    Collette Education Resource Center
    35 Commerce Way, Suite 1
    Dover, DE 19904
    Email: deeds@doe.k12.de.us

    Your Permit cannot be processed until ALL documentation listed on your application are officially received. You can monitor this by visiting DEEDS website and signing into your DEEDS account. Your email address must be kept current at all times.

    Given the volume of applications and documents received, it is your responsibility to timely provide the required documentation and monitor your application in DEEDS.

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  • DEEDS Application Process Steps

    1. Log in to your DEEDS account via the EdAccess login page.
    2. Apply for the appropriate permit you wish to obtain.
    3. Request to send all official documentation:
      • All official transcripts.
      • Test Scores, if applicable.
    4. Upon receipt of all documentation,DDOE Staff will review the application and documentation.
    5. DDOE staff will update your application status within DEEDS. You can monitor the application progress by clicking the "View My Applications" button on the DEEDS Educator Dashboard. Each application is shown with progress banners to indicate where the application is within the review and approval process.
    6. If additional documentation is needed to process your application, then a red "Respond to Deficiency" button will appear on the DEEDS Educator Dashboard. You will need to respond to the deficiency from within the DEEDS application, providing whatever additional information is requested in order for the application process to continue. This is the communication channel between DDOE and the applicant during the application process.
    7. You may apply for employment while your Permit is pending. Districts and charter schools will have access to your application information via DEEDS.


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  • Title I Paraeducator Permit Documentation Requirements

    Candidates for a Title I Paraeducator Permit must submit documentation of the following requirements. To ensure speedy processing, please ensure that you follow the document guidelines for submission.

    • Documentation to demonstrate that the candidate has one of the following:
      • Completion of at least two (2) years of study in general or educational studies at an institute of higher education (consisting of 60 credit hours of a ‘C’ or better) OR
      • Receipt of an associate’s degree or higher OR
      • Completion of a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and a passing score on a rigorous assessment of knowledge or and the ability to assist in, the instruction in reading, writing, and mathematic (e.g. ParaPro assessment with a qualifying score of 459 or higher or other approved alternative)
    • Documentation may include:
      • Official transcript from a regionally accredited college or university OR an official high school transcript
      • Official Test scores should be forwarded to the DDOE electronically upon your request.  Educational Testing Service (ETS) administers the ParaPro exam. Please use Reporting Code R7065.
         

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  • Instructional Paraeducator Permit Documentation Requirements

    Candidates for an Instructional Paraeducator Permit must submit documentation of the following requirements. To ensure speedy processing, please ensure that you follow the document guidelines for submission.

    • Documentation to demonstrate that the candidate has one of the following:
      • Completion of at least two (2) years of study in general or educational studies at an institute of higher education (consisting of 60 credit hours of a ‘C’ or better) OR
      • Receipt of an associate’s degree or higher OR
      • Completion of a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and a passing score on a rigorous assessment of knowledge or and the ability to assist in, the instruction in reading, writing, and mathematic (e.g. ParaPro assessment with a qualifying score of 459 or higher or other approved alternative)
    • Documentation may include:
      • Official transcript from a regionally accredited college or university OR an official high school transcript
      • Official Test scores should be forwarded to the DDOE electronically upon your request.  Educational Testing Service (ETS) administers the ParaPro exam. Please use Reporting Code R7065.
         

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  • Service Paraeducator Permit Documentation Requirements

    Candidates for a Service Paraeducator Permit must submit documentation of the following requirements. To ensure speedy processing, please ensure that you follow the document guidelines for submission.

    • A copy of one of the following
      • An official (unopened) high school transcript OR
      • An official (unopened) high school diploma equivalent (GED)
         

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  • Documentation Guidelines for Submission

    All documents, with the exception of copies of out-of-state and/or national certificates (if applicable), must be official, meaning that they must be sent directly from the appropriate third party (e.g., the college/university, testing organization, former employer, independent credentialing agency) to the Department electronically to deeds@doe.k12.de.us, or forwarded unopened, by mail to the Department by the candidate.  Applicants submitting test scores should be sure to review the Testing Guidelines for test-specific submission procedures.

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Last Modified on July 19, 2022