Teacher Assistant
Teacher Assistant Employment Criteria
It is important to note that a paraprofessional (teacher assistant) only needs to meet one of the criteria options. The federal legislation states that a paraprofessional who performs instructional duties must either have two years of study, which is 48 semester hours, at an Institution of Higher Education or have an associate’s degree from a higher education institution. The federal legislation also allows the States to develop a rigorous assessment that may meet the employment criteria. The NC State Board of Education approved our assessment options in the spring of 2002. These were outlined in the Consolidated Plan submitted to the US Department of Education in May 2002.
Assessment Options
Option 1: A four-year degree from an accredited college/university (must have a copy of official transcripts confirming the degree uploaded into Applitrack)
Option 2: A two-year degree from an accredited college/university (must have a copy of official transcripts confirming the degree uploaded into Applitrack)
Option 3: 48 Semester hour credits from an accredited college/university: If earned quarter credits, determine the semester value by multiplying the number of credits by .67 (must have a copy of official transcripts confirming the degree uploaded into Applitrack)
Option 4: 6 semester hours and passing WorkKeys assessment scores in Workplace Documents, Business Writing, and Applied Mathematics. Passing scores are a 4 in reading and math and a 3 in writing. All this information must be confirmed by official documentation.
WorkKeys Testing Information
Harnett County Schools no longer administers the WorkKeys test. Please contact your local community college to request an appointment to take the test.
Links to Testing Information
TA's in a PreK setting will require current PreSchool CPR certification (or willingness to be certified immediately upon hire) and an additional fingerprint background check through the Harnett County Partnership for Children.
TA to Teacher Programs
Are you a current classified staff member and interested in joining the teaching profession? Many local colleges and universities offer customized programs to meet the needs of a full-time school system employee who would like to become a teacher.
TA to Teacher Programs | Licensure Areas Offered |
|---|---|
Elementary Education (K-6), Special Education (K-12) | |
Elementary Education (K-6), Special Education (K-12) | |
Elementary Education (K-6), Special Education (K-12), Middle Grades Education with concentrations in English Language Arts and Social Studies | |
Elementary Education (K-6), Special Education (K-12), Middle Grades Education | |
Elementary Education (K-6) | |
Elementary Education (K-6), Special Education (K-12), Middle Grades Education- Math (6-9), Middle Grades Education - Science (6-9), Secondary Education - Math (9-12), Secondary Education - Science (9-12) |