ParaPro Assessment
Purpose of the ParaPro Assessment
The ParaPro Assessment measures the reading, writing and basic math competencies of practicing and prospective paraprofessionals. The ParaPro Assessment can be used to certify teacher’s aides and assistants in the instruction of these subjects to school children.
The ParaPro Assessment was developed in response to the federal legislation known as No Child Left Behind, which was signed into law by President Bush in January 2002. The law requires that beginning January 8, 2002, paraprofessionals be required to have one of the following:
- An associate of arts degree
- Two years of college
- Demonstrated, through a state or local academic assessment, knowledge of, and the ability to assist in the instruction of reading, writing, and math
(The choice of test or tests to satisfy the third option is left to the discretion of states and districts.)
ParaPro steps and links
- Make an appointment with the Testing Center at University of Arkansas Rich Mountain
- The Praxis Study Companion
- ParaPro Assessment Fee $55 + $30 proctor fee ($85 total)
- Testing Center Procedures
- Score reports will be sent to the school district the examinee designates
- ParaPro Tutorial
- Test Prep is also available for purchase through http://www.ets.org/parapro/test_prep/materials
About the ParaPro Assessment
The ParaPro Assessment for prospective and practicing paraprofessionals measures skills and knowledge in reading, mathematics, and writing, as well as the ability to apply those skills and knowledge to assist in classroom instruction. The use of a calculator is not allowed. Test takers have 2½ hours to complete the test.
The test consists of 90 multiple-choice questions across the subject areas of reading, mathematics, and writing. Approximately two-thirds of the questions in each subject area focus on basic skills and knowledge, and approximately one third of the questions in each subject area focus on the application of those skills and knowledge in a classroom context. Fifteen of the questions in the test (five in each subject) are pretest questions and do not count toward the test.
Tips for Taking the ParaPro Assessment
FAMILIARIZE yourself with the test before taking it. Read the information and look at the types of questions and the test format.
READ the directions carefully.
CONSIDER all answer choices before marking one.
PACE your activities, and know the total number of test questions and time allowed for the entire test. Work rapidly without being careless. Don't spend too much time on difficult questions.
GUESS rather than not respond at all. There's no penalty or subtraction of points for answering a question incorrectly. You risk nothing by guessing, but if you don't respond, you lose the chance to raise your score by making an educated guess.