§ 16-11.2-2. General qualifications of teacher assistants. No person shall be employed as a teacher assistant in any school supported in whole or in part by public funds unless he or she shall:

(1) Be of good character as verified by the employer;

(2) Hold a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma;

(3) For any person hired after January 1, 1999, complete a training program in compliance with the teacher assistant program standards developed by the department of elementary and secondary education pursuant to § 16-11.2-1. The training program shall not be required of those persons employed as a teacher assistant in another Rhode Island school district prior to January 1, 1999, those who hold certification as a teacher assistant in another state, or those who hold an associate's or bachelor's degree and have completed coursework or other training consistent with the teacher assistant program standards developed by the department of elementary and secondary education;

(4) If hired after January 8, 2002, and providing an instructional service, have completed at least two (2) years of study at an institution of higher education, obtained an associate's (or higher) degree; or otherwise met a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate through a formal state or local academic assessment an appropriate level of: (i) knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics; or (ii) knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness, as appropriate. Assessments developed at the local level may consist of performance assessments documenting teacher assistant skills; and

(5) If hired on or before January 8, 2002, and providing instructional service, meet the requirements set forth in subdivision (4) herein not later than January 8, 2006. The employer shall pay for up to two (2) test administration fees for all teacher assistants hired prior to July 1, 2003.

History of Section. (P.L. 1996, ch. 167, § 1; P.L. 1997, ch. 96, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 126, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 136, § 1.)