Davenport University’s new Paraprofessional Preparation Certificate creates a clear pathway for those seeking to make a meaningful impact in preK-12 schools.
The new 15-credit program will launch this fall and will be offered entirely online through Davenport’s Global Campus.
Those who have this certificate and pass the ETS Paraprofessional assessment will meet Michigan requirements for Title I schools (schools serving a high number of low-income households), and they will also enter the classroom with a strong foundation in educational principles to confidently support teachers and students.
Dr. Meaghan Polega, department chair of undergraduate programs in the College of Urban Education at Davenport, said that an influx of new paraprofessionals would help meet an urgent need in Title I schools across Michigan.
According to the Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity, support staff shortages are nearly double those of pre-pandemic levels, with 700-900 open parapro positions each year. Special education programs and Title I schools are especially feeling the effects of the parapro shortage.
“Davenport’s Paraprofessional Preparation Certificate is ideal for those who want to begin working with students, but are not quite ready or able to pursue a bachelor’s degree,” Polega said. “Those who earn the certificate and decide at a later date that they want to obtain their bachelor’s degree will be able to easily transition into Davenport’s Urban STEM Education program. The certificate is stackable, which means students have the option to complete 15 of their bachelor’s credits as part of the parapro program.”
Students currently enrolled in Davenport’s Urban STEM program may find the certificate especially useful, as it will allow them to work in the education field before they graduate. It will also benefit dual-enrolled students in much the same way. “Dual-enrolled students will find value in the certificate because they can secure employment immediately after graduating from high school,” Polega said.
An added bonus of the certificate program is that it includes test preparation for students required to take the ETS ParaPro Assessment, which qualifies them for paraprofessional roles in Title I schools.
Click here for more information on Davenport’s Paraprofessional Preparation Certificate or its College of Urban Education.
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Davenport University’s new Paraprofessional Preparation Certificate creates a clear pathway for those seeking to make a meaningful impact in preK-12 schools.
The new 15-credit program will launch this fall and will be offered entirely online through Davenport’s Global Campus.
Those who have this certificate and pass the ETS Paraprofessional assessment will meet Michigan requirements for Title I schools (schools serving a high number of low-income households), and they will also enter the classroom with a strong foundation in educational principles to confidently support teachers and students.
Dr. Meaghan Polega, department chair of undergraduate programs in the College of Urban Education at Davenport, said that an influx of new paraprofessionals would help meet an urgent need in Title I schools across Michigan.
According to the Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity, support staff shortages are nearly double those of pre-pandemic levels, with 700-900 open parapro positions each year. Special education programs and Title I schools are especially feeling the effects of the parapro shortage.
“Davenport’s Paraprofessional Preparation Certificate is ideal for those who want to begin working with students, but are not quite ready or able to pursue a bachelor’s degree,” Polega said. “Those who earn the certificate and decide at a later date that they want to obtain their bachelor’s degree will be able to easily transition into Davenport’s Urban STEM Education program. The certificate is stackable, which means students have the option to complete 15 of their bachelor’s credits as part of the parapro program.”
Students currently enrolled in Davenport’s Urban STEM program may find the certificate especially useful, as it will allow them to work in the education field before they graduate. It will also benefit dual-enrolled students in much the same way. “Dual-enrolled students will find value in the certificate because they can secure employment immediately after graduating from high school,” Polega said.
An added bonus of the certificate program is that it includes test preparation for students required to take the ETS ParaPro Assessment, which qualifies them for paraprofessional roles in Title I schools.
Click here for more information on Davenport’s Paraprofessional Preparation Certificate or its College of Urban Education.
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