BECOMING A PARAEDUCATOR

All paraeducators, regardless of job classification, must meet three basic requirements:  
   

1.  A high school diploma (or equivalency). 
2.  Passage of the District Proficiency Test. For information regarding the District Proficiency Test, call (213) 241-3455.

            3.  Two years of college (60 semester units or 90 quarter units), an AA degree, or passage of the District’s Instructional Assistance Test. For information on the tests to become a Teacher’s Assistant and/or a sample test, click here.

Following is some information regarding the application procedure for the most common programs which employ paraeducators.

Bilingual and Title I
Bilingual and Title I programs employ Teacher Assistants and each school conducts its own hiring. Jobs are usually for three or six hours per day. In addition to the basic requirements, Teacher Assistants must be enrolled in college and complete a minimum of 12 semester units per year. Bilingual Teacher Assistants need to take a test in the language in which they will provide services. This test is given at the school.  Teacher Assistant applicants must be selected by a school before being processed. Once selected, the school arranges for an appointment with the Talent Aquisition and Selection Branch. You can reach the Talent Aquisition and Selection Branch at (213) 241-3455.

Special Education

Special Education programs employ Special Education Trainees, Special Education Assistants, and Health Care Assistants. In addition to the three basic paraeducator requirements, a Special Education Trainee examination is required. Individuals who wish to qualify using the Instructional Assistance Test must also have 600 hours of documented full-time work experience in a school, hospital, or educational program for children with disabilities.

 

New employees begin in the entry level position as a Special Education Trainee. A Special Education Trainee can promote to Special Education Assistant by fulfilling the following requirements: 130 working days on the job, 12 college semester units in specific courses, a written examination, and a promotional evaluation. 

 

Special Education applicants apply directly to the Classified Employment Office. Applicants should contact their local Talent Aquisition and Selection Branch to fill out the necessary forms and arrange a time to take the Special Education Exam. Call the Talent Aquisition and Selection Branch at (213) 241-3455.

 

Classified Office Locations

Talent Aquisition and Selection Branch	"Mid-Cities" Classified Employment Office	"Valley" Classified Employment Office
Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm	Mon,Wed,Fri 8am-4:30pm	Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm
333 S. Beaudry Ave.	944 West 77th Street	6505 Zelzah Avenue
Los Angeles , CA 90017	Los Angeles , CA 90044	Reseda , CA 91335
Tel: (213) 241-3455	Tel: (323) 753-3321	Tel: (818) 997-2533
Fax: (213) 241-8022	Fax: (323) 752-2673	Fax: (818) 609-1012
Get Map	Get Map	Get Map

Early Childhood Education Programs (Pre-K)

Early Childhood Education Programs employ Early Education Center Aides to work with Pre-K children. Hiring is done by the Early Childhood Education Human Resources Division. To obtain a full-time position, a person must first work as a substitute teacher. Call the Early Childhood Education Human Resources Division at (213) 241-2404.

 

For further information, contact:
Steve Brandick, Director
333 South Beaudry Avenue, 15th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90017
(213) 241-4571
FAX: (213) 241-8465
E-mail: steven.brandick@lausd.net

 

HIRING PROCESS FOR THE MOST COMMON JOB CLASSIFICATIONS  
The Paraeducator Career Ladder is a program that supports LAUSD paraeducators who are studying to be teachers. This program does not hire paraeducators. However, it is possible to review jobs posted by schools or post an application for schools to view by going to the TA Jobs Clearinghouse. There are other kinds of jobs which are not listed on the clearinghouse.