Video & Transcript Research : 'paraprofessional qualifications'
Page 11 of 155
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE AND HOUSE Mar 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- without a clear definition of student support staff in the matrix, instructional assistants or paraprofessionals
- Would that be for that group of individual staff, support staff, paraprofessionals, instructional assistants
- It was about the instructional aides and paraprofessionals.
Summary:
The House and Senate Education Committee first approved minutes from February 2 and 3, then heard an interim study proposal on Arkansas adult education and the Excel Center model, presented by Goodwill Industries of Arkansas and the University of Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities. Witnesses argued that about 300,000 Arkansas adults lack a high school diploma or GED and described the Excel Center as a diploma-granting public charter option for adults 19 and older, with wraparound supports such as child care, transportation, tutoring, life coaching, and career services. They said the Arkansas campuses are not state-funded, highlighted growth in enrollment and graduation outcomes, and cited research showing improved employment, earnings, and reduced criminal justice involvement for graduates. Committee members discussed the role of Goodwill’s nonprofit mission, the need for multiple adult education pathways, and the relationship between adult education challenges and broader state efforts such as LEARNS and ACCESS.
The committee then debated the interim study proposal procedure, including whether questions should have been taken before the vote. The motion to adopt the ISP passed, and members noted that the study would broadly examine adult education, GED testing, high school diplomas, charter schools, in-person adult education, and funding allocation. Several members asked for follow-up information on current adult education funding, the availability of Excel Centers, and the criminal justice study results.
After that, staff from the Bureau of Legislative Research gave a detailed adequacy funding overview for Arkansas K-12 education. They reviewed national funding principles and then explained Arkansas’s revenue streams and distribution system, including general revenue, the Educational Excellence Trust Fund, the Educational Adequacy Fund, local property-tax revenues, and facilities partnership funding. They also walked through the state’s foundation formula, categorical aid, supplemental aid, and additional funding, including the per-student matrix amount of $7,771 for 2025 and how funds are allocated to districts and charters. Members asked about student support staff, special education high-cost occurrences, ALE funding, teacher salary equalization, and the Excel Center’s treatment in funding totals; staff said some of those questions would be addressed in a later spending presentation. The meeting ended after the committee was told the department was present mainly to answer questions and no further business remained.
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- A paraprofessional or something. Are they protected in this? >> Mr.
- A paraprofessional or something. Are they protected in this? >> Mr.
- A paraprofessional or something. Are they protected in this? >> Mr.
Bills:
HB0150
Keywords:
Wyoming business council, economic development, task force, evaluation, policy reform, 916, all
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 5th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- So $10 million over two years awarded to 13 institutions, benefiting over 500 paraprofessionals, with
- So while the teacher apprentice is working at the public school as a paraprofessional and designated
- Additionally, the Rural Grant, among other things, has helped fund a salary paraprofessional position
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education received an overview of Florida’s career and technical education (CTE) system from Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell, who described the state’s CTE pathways, program types, enrollment and completion growth, quality audit metrics, and the Master Credentials List used to identify credentials of value. He highlighted record postsecondary CTE enrollment and completions, strong statewide performance in talent attraction, and several funding tools supporting expansion, including Open Door, the Florida First Responder Scholarship, Workforce Development Capitalization grants, Perkins funding, CAPE performance incentives, and apprenticeship grants. Senators asked about eligibility for Open Door and first responder aid, top industry certifications, and the teacher apprenticeship initiative.
A panel of college and technical school leaders then described how state and federal funding has supported local program growth and facility expansion. Santa Fe College, Palm Beach State College, North Florida Technical College, Lake Technical College, Florida Gateway College, and Manatee Technical College each cited increases in enrollment, high placement or licensure pass rates, and new or expanded programs in nursing, welding, CDL, automotive, manufacturing, public safety, and apprenticeship. Several speakers emphasized partnerships with hospitals, employers, school districts, and local governments, and noted that grants helped fund equipment, renovations, and new training hubs. Palm Beach State also raised a request to broaden line funding beyond nursing to other health science fields, and multiple presenters asked for more flexibility, multi-year support, and continued or increased funding to sustain growth.
Members discussed broader challenges, including the difficulty of sustaining grant-funded growth after initial awards, the lag between enrollment growth and funding formulas, and alignment problems for dual enrollment and technical programs with high school schedules. Senators also noted the need to balance support for high-demand core programs like nursing and welding with the ability to respond quickly to emerging industries such as AI and space. The meeting ended with no formal action beyond adjournment after Senator Davis moved to adjourn.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (02/24/2026)
Education Policy and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm also talking about property taxpayers, like a retired paraprofessional I know who is choosing between
- That was a qualification for them becoming an administrator or a principal.
- That<04:18:40.399>
was <04:18:40.560>a <04:18:40.800>qualification <04:18:41.439> for <04:18:41.760>them That was a qualification for them That was a qualification for
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- ,<00:32:11.640>
and education staff, paraprofessionals, and education staff, paraprofessionals - Currently, every student-facing staff member in my district, from paraprofessionals to principals, receives
- <01:32:14.040>
to <01:32:14.160>principals, paraprofessionals to principals, paraprofessionals - I'm the mother of a special education student, but today I'm talking as a former paraprofessional.
- I'm here to tell you that, as a paraprofessional, I did not see any behavior improve using the seclusion
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- In particular, for us, the livelihoods of teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, and other support
- chance when they go to advocate because their principal or their school district has pulled the paraprofessional
Keywords:
public education, Department of Education, funding, Trump, Kassar, Elon Musk, education policy, youth advocacy, billionaire influence
Summary:
This was a press conference organized by student advocates and Texas Democratic lawmakers to oppose efforts by the Trump administration and allies to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and to criticize Texas voucher proposals. Speakers argued that the department and its Office for Civil Rights are essential for enforcing civil rights protections, supporting special education, Title I, Pell Grants, career and technical education, and other federal education programs. They said eliminating the department would weaken oversight, shift power to states that have a poor record on student protections, and harm marginalized, low-income, disabled, and rural students.
Congressman Greg Casar framed the issue as a transfer of public money from schools to billionaires, tying the department fight to federal budget and tax-cut debates and to Texas voucher efforts. State Representative Gene Wu said Texas public education is already near collapse and warned that losing federal support would worsen school closures, staffing shortages, and class-size increases. Representative Gina Hinojosa highlighted Texas’s past special education cap and attacks on Section 504, and said she filed bills to route federal block grants directly to schools if federal policy changes move forward.
Representative Vicki Goodwin said the state should fund schools rather than vouchers and noted underfunding of special education and inflation pressures. Round Rock ISD trustee Melissa Ross and Texas AFT president Zef Capo emphasized that federal oversight protects students and that Texas has a history of underfunding and mishandling special education, meals, and other services. The final speaker, Westwood High School senior Eliza Abert, said the loss of federal education support would most harm low-income and middle-class students and called on attendees to oppose the changes. No votes were taken; the event ended with a call for public pressure on lawmakers and continued advocacy.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- It also adds our paraprofessionals and volunteers, who are also going through the training, to make sure
- This would kind of reinstate the coursework qualifications for Tier 2 that changed in 2023.
- This would kind of reinstate the coursework qualifications for Tier 2 that changed in 2023.
- <00:58:38.079>
for <00:58:38.400>tier coursework um qualifications for tier coursework - um qualifications for tier two<00:58:39.720>
um <00:58:40.640>that <00:58:40.839>that
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Let's be honest, the paraprofessional.
- It was not focused on paraprofessionals, the most important person in the classroom.
- Let's be honest, the paraprofessional.
- It was not focused on paraprofessionals, the most important person in the classroom.
- to say, okay, you know, we're going to save money at the SAU level versus firing teachers and paraprofessionals
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Some highlights this past year, or this current year, is again to provide that paraprofessional
- <00:09:23.680>
that <00:09:23.839>have <00:09:23.960>taken paraprofessionals that - have taken paraprofessionals that have taken training<00:09:25.400>
is <00:09:25.600>over< - to be train the trainers<00:09:35.360>
in <00:09:35.600>that <00:09:35.839>paraprofessional - trainers in that paraprofessional trainers in that paraprofessional {slash}<00:09:37.720>
kind
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (2-25-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- could then be applied more narrowly to those non-clinical services delivered by non-licensed paraprofessional
- could then be applied more narrowly to those non-clinical services delivered by non-licensed paraprofessional
- could then be applied more narrowly to those non-clinical services delivered by non-licensed paraprofessional
- could then be applied more narrowly to those non-clinical services delivered by non-licensed paraprofessional
- Non-licensed paraprofessional providers and facilities.
Keywords:
Meeting start 00:06:05
Roll Call 00:06:33
HB 152 Discussion 00:07:55
HB 152 PHS 2 Vote 00:10:12
HB 545 Discussion
HB 545 PHS 1 Vote 00:13:47
HB 606 Discussion 00:15:15
HB 606 Vote 00:16:32
HJR 30 Discussion
HJR Vote 00:19:07
HJR 32 Discussion 00:20:25
HJR 32 PHS 1 Vote 00:23:11
HJR 34 Discussion 00:25:04
HJR 34 PHS 1 Vote 00:28:50
HJR 46 Discussion 00:30:09
HJR 46 Vote 00:34:15
HJR 53 Discussion 00:35:40
HJR 53 Vote 00:38:55
HJR 54 Discussion 00:40:15
HJR 54 Vote 00:40:50
HB 546 Discussion 00:42:15
HB 546 PHS 1 Vote 00:46:15
HB 605 Discussion 00:47:38
HB 605 PHS 1 Vote 00:52:10
HB 694 Discussion 00:53:46
HB 694 Vote 01:07:47
HB 695 Discussion Only 01:10:20, 958, all
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue met on February 25 and considered a series of bills and joint resolutions, mostly involving appropriations, capital projects, and local infrastructure funding. The committee first adopted PHS 2 and passed House Bill 152, which creates a Medicaid supplemental payment program for public ground ambulance providers; the sponsor said the substitute ensures no state general fund dollars will be used and that local agencies must identify a funding source for any required match. HB 152 was reported favorably on a 20-0 vote. The committee also passed House Bill 545, the annual claims bill, after members confirmed all executive-branch claims were included; it was reported favorably on a 21-0 vote. House Bill 606, requiring reporting for general obligation bonds, also passed unanimously and was reported favorably.
The committee then took up several joint resolutions tied to capital and infrastructure spending. House Joint Resolution 30, concerning water projects, was described as implementing ranked projects under the Waters program administered by KIA and was reported favorably on a 21-0 vote. House Joint Resolution 32, concerning school facilities construction, was amended by PHS 1 and advanced after discussion referencing the Auditor’s report and questions about a Johnson County Schools expenditure; it also passed 21-0. House Joint Resolution 34, relating to contingent appropriations for KCTCS, was amended by PHS 1 and advanced after testimony outlining three projects in Somerset, Jefferson Community and Technical College, and Glasgow; it passed 21-0. House Joint Resolution 46, for local road projects, was described as funding the highest-scoring local road requests from a larger pool of applications and passed 21-0.
The committee also advanced House Joint Resolution 53, authorizing release of funds for KSU’s Health Sciences Center project, after KSU officials said the building is needed for nursing and allied health programs and promised a business plan report by November 1, 2025; it passed 21-0. House Joint Resolution 54, authorizing funds related to the State Fair Board, also passed unanimously. Later, the committee considered House Bill 546, which revises the local roads and streets program by adding a DOT-developed scoring system, monthly reporting, a match requirement, and a $500,000 project cap; members asked about the cap and were told larger projects should be handled through other mechanisms. HB 546 was reported favorably on a 21-0 vote. Finally, House Bill 605, a technical corrections and update bill for the local economic relief grant program, was amended by PHS 1 and discussed as expanding eligibility, including to the Delta Regional Authority and certain local-affiliated applicants; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 605.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Chapter 54 of the government code outlines that 25 different counties have their own qualifications and
- There's no other language in Article 38.30 that deals with the qualifications of the interpreter.
- interpreter who qualifies with the court as an expert, according to an expert witness that meets those qualifications
- And if you'll recall this morning, this bill relates to the qualifications, training, removal, and supervision
Keywords:
SB 535, Texas criminal procedure, rape shield, victim sexual history, past sexual behavior, sexual assault evidence, trafficking of persons, continuous trafficking, indecency with a child, continuous sexual abuse, aggravated sexual assault, indecent assault, consent defense, in camera hearing, Rule 412, Rule 609, victim protection, evidence admissibility, criminal evidence, sexual offense prosecution
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 4/1/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Regarding qualifications, there is also a need for competency-based training to address these staffing
- I testified in support of updating the qualification requirements for positive support staff, and I’m
- support of updating the qualification support of updating the qualification requirements<01:46:28.599
- House File 2722 proposes changing these qualifications for competency-based pathways that would improve
- Competency Based qualifications for Competency Based Pathways<01:52:00.000>
that <01:52:00.079
Keywords:
HF2367, Community First Services and Supports, CFSS, personal care assistance, PCA, consumer-directed community supports, CDCS, home and community-based services, HCBS, direct support professionals, direct care workers, caregivers, support workers, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa, collective bargaining agreement, retention stipend, health care cost stipend, training stipend, orientation program, retirement trust
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We are going to continue to look at paraprofessional support specialists in the Department of Education
- are going to continue to<00:02:04.800>
look <00:02:05.000>at <00:02:05.120>paraprofessional - <00:02:05.960>
support to look at paraprofessional support to look at paraprofessional support
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, I work as a paraprofessional interim.
- Um, I work as a paraprofessional interim.
- Um, I work as a paraprofessional interim.
- Um, I work as a paraprofessional interim.
Keywords:
microenterprise home kitchen operation, cottage food, home-based food business, home kitchen license, homemade food, prepared food, food entrepreneur, small food business, cottage food law, food safety training, ServSafe, food handler license, agriculture department, Minnesota food law, residential kitchen, local zoning, consumer labeling, allergen labeling, unpasteurized juice, time/temperature control for safety food
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Another important factor around the training is how well the paraprofessional training has gone.
- We have trained over 624 staff in districts to be train-the-trainers for our paraprofessional training
- that some of what they are learning is that not all district literacy leads may have the same qualifications
- 00:55:45.280>
have <00:55:45.440>the <00:55:45.680>same <00:55:45.920>qualifications - <00:55:46.960>
as may have the same qualifications as may have the same qualifications as
Bills:
HF3421
Keywords:
early literacy, reading instruction, teacher preparation, teacher candidates, teacher licensure, educator licensing, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, field experience, supervised practicum, evidence-based reading, science of reading, literacy methods, teacher training, preservice teachers, school-based experience, reading intervention, Minnesota education policy, 1183, house
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Also, not been spoken about as much, paraprofessionals.
- I have paraprofessionals who work in my office.
Keywords:
public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- On average, 47% of the special education cost is labor due to paraprofessionals.
- On average, 47% of the special education cost is labor due to paraprofessionals.
- On average, 47% of the special education cost is labor due to paraprofessionals.
- A paraprofessional and special transportation—bing, you're there—and we get in there very quickly with
- Or do you have a paraprofessional go into each of those rooms under the supervision of a resource room
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- In our LFT issues survey, 1,498 educators responded, including teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers
- In our LFT issues survey, 1,498 educators responded, including teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers
- No bus driver, paraprofessional, cafeteria worker, custodian, clerk, nurse, or teacher should be punished
Keywords:
registrar of voters, parish registrar, chief deputy registrar, confidential assistant, election administration, elections, salary schedule, compensation, merit evaluation, population-based pay, census-based pay, Department of State, Secretary of State, State Board of Election Supervisors, redistricting, senate districts, Senate District 33, Senate District 34, Senate District 35, precincts
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- One is increase the salary, but also increase the qualifications to be...
- One is increase the salary, but also increase the qualifications to be able to...
- Witness: To do two things, one is increase the salary, but also increase the qualifications to be able
- Witness: To do two things, one is increase the salary, but also increase the qualifications to be able
- 1487 Unidentified Speaker: …the qualifications for judges in Texas.
Bills:
SB 1
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We struggle with retention due to the low-income paraprofessional wages.
- The biggest victims of any disruption in paraprofessional benefits are the kids, the students I work
- I urge you to vote against HF 6 to protect paraprofessionals and ensure kids have access to the vital
- We struggle with retention due to the low-income paraprofessional wages.
- The biggest victims of any disruption in paraprofessional benefits are the kids, the students I work