Video & Transcript Research : 'paraprofessional'
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MN
Transcript Highlights:
- only to special education paraprofessionals.
- Reason one, this bill directly addresses Minnesota's paraprofessional staffing crisis.
- Minnesota districts are struggling to fill paraprofessional positions right now. Last year, St.
- Paul public schools alone had 155 paraprofessional vacancies, which is roughly 15% of its total paraprofessional
- Bill HF 3067 has been an option for Title I paraprofessionals and special education paraprofessionals
Keywords:
libraries, electronic books, digital audiobooks, licensing agreements, public access, paraprofessional, paraprofessional qualifications, education support staff, teacher aide, teacher assistant, special education, Title I, federal personnel qualifications, Minnesota Department of Education, school district, charter school, cooperative unit, Read Act, reading instruction, math instruction
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- their life if the stipend is going to be something that is less than their current salary as a paraprofessional
- 01:03:40.079>
salary <01:03:40.640>as <01:03:41.039>an <01:03:41.359>paraprofessional - current salary as an paraprofessional current salary as an paraprofessional for<01:03:42.480>
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- bill we're going to go to is House File 3067, which, as you will recall, was my bill related to paraprofessionals
- and making sure that we have highly qualified paraprofessionals in our classrooms.
- recall um was my bill um<00:18:22.160>
related <00:18:22.720>to <00:18:23.440>paraprofessionals - <00:18:24.320>
and um related to paraprofessionals and um related to paraprofessionals and
Keywords:
interchange, bond issuance, transportation, infrastructure funding, Sherburne County, paraprofessional, paraprofessional qualifications, education support staff, teacher aide, teacher assistant, special education, Title I, federal personnel qualifications, Minnesota Department of Education, school district, charter school, cooperative unit, Read Act, reading instruction, math instruction
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I work in the schools during the interim as a paraprofessional, so I know where that's at.
- I work in the schools during the interim as a paraprofessional, so I know where that's at.
Keywords:
HF56, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Hutchinson Area Transportation Services, Hutchinson, McLeod County, transportation facility, vehicle storage, equipment storage, fueling facility, temperate storage, local infrastructure, public works, general obligation bonds, education finance, school funding, state aid, appropriations
MN
Keywords:
education finance, school funding, K-12, prekindergarten, pre-K, early childhood education, general education aid, special education, literacy aid, school meals, free school meals, school breakfast, school lunch, charter school lease aid, charter schools, nonpublic pupil aid, private school aid, transportation aid, desegregation aid, integration aid
MN
Keywords:
short-call substitute, substitute teacher, substitute teaching license, pilot program, teacher shortage, education workforce, school district, charter school, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, background check, paraprofessional, education support personnel, temporary license, substitute training, retaliation, teacher pay, daily substitute pay, Minnesota education law, education innovation
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Keywords:
HF110, Adrian Independent School District, Independent School District No. 511, school construction, sales tax exemption, use tax refund, refundable exemption, construction materials, capital improvements, school roofing, playground remodel, retaining walls, plumbing, bathroom remodel, locker room remodel, window replacements, local tax relief, general fund appropriation, Minnesota chapter 297A, retroactive tax refund
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Apr 15th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 2893 waives the retirement requirement for paraprofessionals seeking a teaching certificate
Bills:
SR31, SB2060, SB2184, HB1371, HB1411, HB1933, HB2361, HB2398, HB2893, HB3006, HB3044, HB3127, HB3322, HB3147, HB1276, HB3472, HB3522, HB3704, HB4303, HB4319
Keywords:
military, children, resilience, Purple Up!, military families, master development district, improvement district, public improvements, infrastructure financing, special assessments, statutory revision, consolidation, law amendment, emergency legislation, legal clarity, oil and gas, mineral rights, proceeds, royalties, escrow account
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- So sections one through three simply move the voluntary paraprofessional credential.
Keywords:
HF1966, Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs, STARS program, alternative education, alternative programs, education finance, general fund appropriation, student support services, career readiness, employment skills, academic skills, social skills, student conferences, training grants, Minnesota Department of Education, specialized education, at-risk students, nontraditional education, HF54, Silver Lake
MN
Keywords:
HF1966, Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs, STARS program, alternative education, alternative programs, education finance, general fund appropriation, student support services, career readiness, employment skills, academic skills, social skills, student conferences, training grants, Minnesota Department of Education, specialized education, at-risk students, nontraditional education, HF54, Silver Lake
OK
Bills:
SB514, SB346, SB1593, SB1782, SB1366, SB1497, SB366, SB1895, SB2048, SB2005, SB2006, SB710, SB1480
Keywords:
SB514, school choice, charter school, virtual charter school, OSSAA, extracurricular activities, interscholastic activities, athletics, homeschool, other means of education, alternative education, student eligibility, student transfer, district policy, public school district, adjacent district, blended learning, virtual learning, school sports, academic eligibility
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Common Education REVISED: SB1614 - Added Apr 8th, 2026 at 03:00 pm
Common Education
Bills:
SB1734, SB1630, SB1894, SB1975, SB1432, SB1437, SB1812, SB346, SB1250, SB710, SB1489, SB2045, SB1614
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, AI, schools, public school districts, education technology, edtech, student privacy, FERPA, data privacy, data security, emerging technologies, machine learning, generative AI, classroom technology, instructional technology, teacher oversight, human-in-the-loop, student data, parental consent, opt-out
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Special Education Funding Committee Mar 4th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- It's paraprofessional voice and supports.
- It's paraprofessional voice and supports.
- that took this survey, so am I correct in assuming they thought special ed paraprofessionals, not paraprofessionals
- The next one is: paid paraprofessional development opportunities are available for paraprofessionals
- They manage up to 15 paraprofessionals at a time.
Summary:
The committee met to discuss special education funding and retention, beginning with approval of the prior meeting minutes and then hearing a presentation from North Dakota United on a statewide special education survey and retention rubric. Presenters described how the rubric and survey were developed from special educator input around four domains: paperwork and due process support, workload, student and staff safety, and paraprofessional management. They reported high levels of stress and burnout, including increased workload, difficulty taking prep and lunch time, concerns about mental health, and widespread difficulty filling special education positions. Committee members questioned the survey’s lack of a general-education comparison group, the interpretation of terms like “rarely” and “sometimes,” and whether results could be broken down further by district size, unit, or disability area.
The survey results showed the weakest area was workload, with respondents reporting caseloads increasing without corresponding adjustments, little additional support or compensation when workloads rise, and few negotiated-agreement protections. Paperwork and due process also scored poorly, with many teachers saying they rarely receive dedicated time during the duty day, often work outside contract hours without compensation, and take work home on evenings and weekends. Student and staff safety scored somewhat better but still showed gaps in crisis follow-up, notification about violent behavior, protective gear, and leave options after incidents. Paraprofessional management also drew concern, especially low pay, insufficient staffing, limited administrative support, and the burden placed on teachers to supervise and train paras.
Several teachers then testified directly about the practical impact of these issues. One special education teacher described the job as combining instruction, legal compliance, and paraprofessional supervision, often requiring work beyond contracted hours and contributing to burnout and turnover. Another testified that special education case managers are effectively doing three full-time jobs and that the paperwork and caseload demands are a major reason people avoid or leave the field. Committee members discussed whether the problems are primarily local or state-level, whether more funding would solve them, and whether changes to the funding formula or weighting for high-cost students might be needed. No formal vote or action was taken beyond a recess and return to order for the next presentation, which continued the discussion of possible special education study objectives and potential policy directions.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- And what—so that's for the paraprofessionals in Cambridge. And what about for teachers?
- And what—so that's for the paraprofessionals in Cambridge. And what about for teachers?
- As dedicated paraprofessionals are to... ...outside of the classroom.
- Prior to this, I spent 20 years working as a paraprofessional in Boston.
- The role of ESPs and paraprofessionals dates back to the 1950s and '60s, nearly 70 years ago.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing on a large slate of bills, with most testimony focused on two main topics: improving access to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for students with disabilities, and raising educator pay statewide. On the AAC bills (House 514/Senate 418), parents, advocates, and attorneys described how AAC devices and communication books help nonverbal or minimally verbal children communicate, participate in class, and reduce frustration and behavioral issues. Testimony emphasized that while districts are generally required to provide devices, many teachers and school staff lack training to use them effectively; the bill would direct DESE to update licensure and training requirements so newly licensed teachers are prepared to support AAC users. Committee members asked about current teacher-prep practices, implementation, and whether DESE could act without legislation, and witnesses said the proposal was intended as a long-term solution and had previously received some support and compromise language.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on House 733/Senate 370, which would set a statewide minimum salary of $70,000 for teachers and $55,000 for education support professionals (ESPs/paras), with inflation adjustments and a phase-in structure that would shift costs over time from the state to municipalities. Supporters, including the bill sponsor, MTA leaders, and school employees from several districts, argued that current pay is not a living wage, contributes to staffing shortages and turnover, and forces many educators to work multiple jobs or rely on public assistance. They said the bill would help recruit and retain staff and better reflect the importance of the work. Committee members raised questions about how the state would fund the mandate, how it would interact with Chapter 70 school aid and local budgets, whether other states have similar mechanisms, and whether the proposal could create disincentives for districts already paying above the floor. Witnesses pointed to the Student Opportunity Act, the Fair Share Amendment, and the need for a broader school funding formula review as possible parts of the solution.
The committee also briefly heard and discussed Senate Bill 435/House Bill 736, which would require de-escalation training for school bus operators, with the training paid for by employers. The sponsor and a parent advocate said the bill was prompted by a school bus incident involving a child with cerebral palsy and epilepsy and would improve safety and reduce reliance on law enforcement. Members asked whether the bill should also cover bus monitors and other transportation staff, and whether private contractors and public operators currently provide similar training. At the end of the hearing, the chairs closed testimony on the full list of bills and adjourned the hearing without taking any votes.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 18, March 3, 2026-AM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- They can have more teachers or less paraprofessionals, or they can have more paraprofessionals, less
- They can have more teachers or less paraprofessionals, or they can have more paraprofessionals, less
- They can have more teachers or less paraprofessionals, or they can have more paraprofessionals, less
- We keep talking about paraprofessionals. paraprofessionals. paraprofessionals.
- . paraprofessionals. paraprofessionals.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- So, the education paraprofessionals.
- . paraprofessionals. paraprofessionals.
- I just to Title I paraprofessionals.
- So, way to go to my housing seatmate. paraprofessional has a a documented paraprofessional has a a documented
- <01:31:33.680>
and paraprofessionals and paraprofessionals and flabbergasted<01:31:36.320>
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I work as a special education paraprofessional at King Elementary in River.
- This benefit would make the paraprofessional shortage even worse.
- It's because a paraprofessional isn't there.
- My mother worked for years as a paraprofessional.
- Our paraprofessionals worked hand-in-hand with me on a daily basis.
Bills:
HF1388
Keywords:
BARR Center, Building Assets, Reducing Risks, education finance, school funding, grant appropriation, evidence-based program, student achievement, social and emotional learning, school climate, teacher effectiveness, high school graduation, students in poverty, students of color, BIPOC, equity in education, Minnesota Department of Education, urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, school coaching
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Education Policy and Administration (03/10/2025)
Education Policy and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- Now that teacher may have a paraprofessional in that classroom, and most classes do have a paraprofessional
- Now that teacher may have a paraprofessional in that classroom, and most classes do have a paraprofessional
- Now that teacher may have a paraprofessional in that classroom, and most classes do have a paraprofessional
- Now that teacher may have a paraprofessional in that classroom, and most classes do have a paraprofessional
- Now that teacher may have a paraprofessional in that classroom, and most classes do have a paraprofessional
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House Bill 749, which would require high schools to provide at least one hour of instruction on the nature and history of communism. The prime sponsor said the bill was prompted by concerns that students lack basic historical knowledge about communism and its effects, and argued that a short, flexible requirement could be embedded in an existing course without creating a new full class. He described communism as a totalitarian ideology and cited historical examples including the Soviet Union, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Cold War, and current events involving Russia, Ukraine, and Taiwan as reasons students should understand the topic.
Members asked whether the subject is already covered in current social studies standards, whether one hour is enough, and whether the bill would apply to public, private, parochial, and charter schools. The sponsor said he did not believe communism is specifically required in current standards, that he would prefer a full course but was proposing a minimal requirement, and that he intended the bill to apply broadly to schools under the Department of Education’s umbrella, though he acknowledged the wording may need clarification for charter schools. He also said the proposal was both reactive and proactive, based on anecdotal concerns and his teaching experience.
A second supporter testified that he was born in the Soviet Union and favored the bill, but suggested the instruction should emphasize critical thinking and explain both why communism can appeal to some people and why it can have harmful consequences. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- It's bad for paraprofessionals, and it's bad for students.
- It's bad for paraprofessionals, and it's bad for students.
- It's bad for paraprofessionals, and it's bad for students.
- cherish our paraprofessionals.
- cherish our paraprofessionals.
Keywords:
education, mandate relief, school funding, local control, state laws, fund transfers, 1183, house
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Kristen Scott, and I'm a special education paraprofessional in the Alcra School District.
- We are paraprofessionals.
- My kids' education, they had to say goodbye to the paraprofessional that they had grown close to and
- formed a bond with when the paraprofessional left for the summer job and wouldn't be coming back.
- I work as a paraprofessional at King Elementary in Deer River.
Keywords:
education, literacy, science of reading, school performance, funding flexibility, innovation zones, equity and inclusion, HF52, New Germany, wastewater treatment, wastewater facility, sewer infrastructure, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, Public Facilities Authority, municipal infrastructure, water quality, sanitation, sewage treatment