WHEREAS:
Paraprofessional educators, also known as paraeducators, instructional assistants, teachers’ aides and special education aides, assist teachers in classroom instruction, supervise children inside and outside the classroom, provide additional instruction and enrichment activities to students and assist special education students; and
WHEREAS:
Paraeducators are highly skilled and play an indispensable role in educating children and enhancing the educational experience of students in public elementary and secondary schools and in preschool programs; and
WHEREAS:
The recruitment and retention of paraprofessionals is vital to maintaining the quality of education provided to students across the nation and to nurturing and educating the future generations of Americans; and
WHEREAS:
Senate Bill (S.) 3681, introduced in the U.S. Senate on Jan. 30, 2024, and currently in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, aims to establish a grant program dedicated to assisting schools in recruiting, training and retaining paraprofessionals. A companion bill in the U.S. House, House Resolution (H.R.) 4550, is currently in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce; and
WHEREAS:
S.3681 and H.R. 4550 seek to provide grants for paraeducator pipeline and credentialing programs, facilitate high-quality professional development opportunities and advancement and improve the wages for paraprofessionals.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That AFSCME applauds its paraprofessional educator members across the country for the highly skilled, effective and indispensable work they do to educate our children; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME calls on states, local governments and school districts to invest in the paraeducator profession through workforce pipeline and credentialing programs, professional development and improved pay; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
That AFSCME supports legislation to provide additional federal funding to develop and enhance the paraeducator workforce.
SUBMITTED BY:
Lois Carson, President and Delegate
Michael Lang, Vice President and Delegate
Sheila Dawkins-Flinn, Secretary and Delegate
Davida Russell, Delegate
OAPSE/AFSCME Local 4
Ohio