Documentation
The Entry Level Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraprofessionals in Pennsylvania is a completely voluntary program for paraprofessionals and school districts who wish to participate. The Entry Level Credential of Competency is one pathway a special education paraprofessional may reach qualified status as required by Pennsylvania regulations. When a school district, intermediate unit, or MAWA administrator has verified a special education paraprofessional’s competence in each of the seven standards outlined in the Entry Level Competency Assessment Checklist, the Checklist document is submitted to the Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education.
Upon review and approval of the submitted documentation, the applicant will be issued an Entry Level Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraprofessionals in Pennsylvania. Click the link below to download the Entry Level Credential of Competency Checklist.
PDE no longer accepts hard-copy documents sent through the U.S. Postal Service. The Entry Level Credential of Competency Checklist must be completed in digital format, and electronically sent to the Paraprofessional Resource Account for review.
Questions during the submission process should be sent to the Paraprofessional Resource Account:
RA-EDPARAPROFESSIONAL@pa.gov
Training Series
The Paraprofessional Entry Level Credential of Competency Training Series, available on the SAS portal , is a pathway for paraprofessionals to reach “qualified status” as required by Pennsylvania’s Chapter 14 regulations. The training modules are designed to build foundational skills and knowledge essential for success in educational settings. There are 7 topics available in the series:
- Competency 1 – Professional Learning and Ethical Practices
- Competency 2 – Learner Development and Individual Learning Differences
- Competency 3 – Special Education Services and Supports in the Learning Environments
- Competency 4 – Assessment
- Competency 5 – Instructional Supports and Strategies
- Competency 6 – Social, Emotional and Behavioral Supports
- Competency 7 – Collaboration with Team Members
To access the training series on the SAS portal, review the directions here:
Download the Paraprofessional Registration Instructions.PDF