School districts and other educational agencies are encouraged to recognize the contributions of paraeducators during the month of February in observance of Paraeducator Recognition Month. The original proclamation recognizing paraeducators was issued by Iowa’s governor in 2006. Governor Chet Culver in January of 2008 extended and expanded the proclamation to be observed throughout the entire month of February.
According to the Iowa Department of Education 2009 Condition of Education Report, some 10,270 paraeducators (“aides”) were employed in Iowa public schools in the 2008-09 school year. That number, reported in full-time equivalencies (FTEs), reflects an increase of 62 percent over the 6,341 FTEs reported by public schools in the 1997-98 school year. “As the educational system in Iowa evolves to face the challenges of the 21st century, paraeducators will continue to play a critical role in helping to meet those challenges,” says Norma Lynch, Iowa DE consultant for paraeducators.
A resource designed to assist schools in implementing effective paraeducator practices can be found at http://www.iowa.gov/educate/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=773&Itemid=1297 <http://www.iowa.gov/educate/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=773&Itemid=1297> . Entitled Guide to Effective Paraeducator Practices, Edition II, the document can be reproduced in unlimited numbers. Contact: Norma Lynch, Norma.Lynch@iowa.gov <mailto:Norma.Lynch@iowa.gov> , 515-281-6038.