DOE Paraprofessional Career Training Programs: Your Pathway to Becoming a Teacher

For dedicated paraprofessionals within the New York City Department of Education (DOE), the opportunity to advance their careers and step into teaching roles is significantly enhanced through a suite of comprehensive Doe Paraprofessional Career Training Programs. These initiatives are specifically designed to support eligible paraprofessionals in achieving their academic and professional aspirations within the NYC public school system. By offering financial assistance, dedicated study time, and clear pathways to teacher certification, the DOE demonstrates its commitment to nurturing talent from within its ranks. This article serves as your guide to understanding these invaluable programs and how they can empower you to reach your full potential as an educator.

Career Training Program (CTP)

The Career Training Program (CTP) stands as a cornerstone of the DOE paraprofessional career training program offerings. It is meticulously crafted to provide eligible United Federation of Teachers (UFT) paraprofessionals with a remarkable opportunity: to earn their first Bachelor’s degree. Recognizing the financial barriers that higher education can present, the CTP directly addresses tuition costs, covering 3 to 6 credits per semester for undergraduate studies at participating colleges and universities.

Furthermore, the program acknowledges the demanding schedules of working paraprofessionals. To facilitate academic success, participants enrolled in five (5) or more credit hours are granted two and a half (2.5) hours of paid release time per week, specifically dedicated to study. For those looking to accelerate their progress, the CTP also offers a Summer Stipend, providing additional financial support for study during the summer months.

It’s important to note that while the CTP provides substantial support, paraprofessionals are empowered to take ownership of their educational journey. Program participants are responsible for researching, applying to, and enrolling in a participating and approved college or university.

Eligibility for CTP

To be considered for this impactful doe paraprofessional career training program, candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria:

Full-Time Employment: Applicants must be employed as a full-time paraprofessional within a NYC public school.
Non-Bachelor’s Degree Holder: The program is designed for paraprofessionals who have not yet attained a Bachelor’s degree.
Full-Time Payroll Status: Candidates must be officially payrolled as a full-time paraprofessional at the time of application and maintain this status throughout the application school year.
Matriculation Requirement: Participants must provide proof of mandatory matriculation into a degree-bearing program after successfully completing 45 credits.
Exclusion of Substitute Paraprofessionals: Substitute paraprofessionals are not eligible for CTP participation.
Credit Limit: The Career Training Program provides financial support for up to 120 credits towards the completion of the first Bachelor’s degree. Exceptions to this limit may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. It’s crucial to understand that this 120-credit limit encompasses all credits, including transfer credits and credits earned before program entry. For instance, if a paraprofessional enters the program with existing credits, the program will cover the remaining credits up to the 120-credit cap.
GPA Requirement: A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 is required for program eligibility.
Maintaining Academic Standing: Participants must maintain a “C” grade point average (2.0) throughout their program participation to remain eligible. Falling below this GPA will result in ineligibility for the CTP Voucher.
Course Grade Policy: The NYC Public Schools will not provide funding for courses with failing grades (“F”), late withdrawals, or unofficial withdrawals.
Financial Responsibility upon Ineligibility: Paraprofessionals who become ineligible for the Career Training Program are responsible for all subsequent course costs, including tuition and fees.

Financial Aid for CTP

The CTP program is designed to work in conjunction with other forms of financial aid. For paraprofessionals who qualify for the Federal Pell Grant or the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) grant, these resources will be utilized first to cover tuition expenses. The participating college or university will then bill the NYC Public Schools for any remaining tuition balance not covered by these grants.

It’s important to note that the NYCPS financial support through the CTP is specifically for tuition costs. The program does not cover expenses such as course materials, activity fees, application fees, technology fees, or any other fees levied by the college or university. These costs remain the responsibility of the paraprofessional.

Application Deadlines for CTP

Prospective applicants should be aware of the application windows for each semester:

Fall Semester: May 1st through June 30th
Spring Semester: September 1st through October 31st
Summer Semester: February 1st through March 31st

A separate application is required for each semester (fall, spring, and summer) of enrollment. Unused vouchers cannot be carried over to previous or future semesters. To ensure timely processing and receipt of confirmation emails and vouchers, applicants are mandated to use their official NYCPS email addresses when applying. Personal email addresses from other domains are no longer accepted by the Teacher Support Network (TSN) system.

Paraprofessional Student Teaching Leave of Absence Program

Another crucial component of the DOE paraprofessional career training program framework is the Student Teaching Leave of Absence Program. Recognizing that many teacher preparation programs require student teaching, and that a paraprofessional’s current role may not always fulfill this requirement, the NYCPS offers eligible paraprofessionals a 40-day paid leave of absence to complete their student teaching obligations.

This program addresses a significant hurdle for paraprofessionals aiming for teacher certification. However, it’s important to note that the number of leaves granted per year is limited to 100 (50 for the fall and 50 for the spring semesters). Approval is application-based, and applicants must receive formal approval before commencing their leave.

Eligibility for PSTLOA

To be eligible for the Student Teaching Leave of Absence Program, paraprofessionals must satisfy the following criteria:

Minimum Employment Duration: Applicants must be full-time, active employees with at least one (1) full school year of service as a paraprofessional (substitute paraprofessional service does not count towards this requirement).
Full-Time Payroll Status: Similar to the CTP, applicants must be payrolled as full-time paraprofessionals at the time of application and maintain this status throughout the application school year.
GPA Requirement: A minimum GPA of 2.5 in their program of study is required.
Enrollment in NYSED-Approved Program: Applicants must be enrolled in a New York State Education Department (NYSED) approved program leading to New York State teaching certification. This is particularly important for those attending online or out-of-state colleges. Online colleges or universities not approved by NYSED and out-of-state colleges with programs not officially approved by NYSED are ineligible for this program.

Furthermore, eligible paraprofessionals must fall into one of the following categories:

Category A: Paraprofessionals holding an education degree (undergraduate or graduate) who were not recommended for certification due to a lack of student teaching experience.
Category B: Paraprofessionals enrolled in a Master’s degree program leading to initial certification who require student teaching to complete their program.
Category C: Paraprofessionals enrolled in an undergraduate program leading to initial certification who require student teaching to complete their program.

Restrictions for PSTLOA

The Student Teaching Leave of Absence Program has certain restrictions that applicants should be aware of:

Document Submission Deadline: All required documents must be submitted at least four (4) weeks prior to the requested leave of absence start date.
Limited Availability: Applications are accepted annually during the fall and spring semesters only, subject to the program’s limited capacity.
Payroll Status Maintenance: Continued full-time paraprofessional payroll status is required throughout the application and leave period.
Priority for Leave Granting: Leaves are granted based on the severity of need, with priority given to paraprofessionals who have already graduated from initial teacher education programs.
One-Time Application: Applicants can only apply for the Student Teaching Leave of Absence program once.
Leave Duration Limit: The program provides for up to 40 days of student teaching leave. For leaves exceeding this duration, applicants must apply for an unpaid extended Leave of Absence through the SOE Self-Service Online Leave Application System (SOLAS).
Initial Certification Focus: Leave of absence is solely granted for student teaching that leads to initial teacher certification.
Exclusion of Non-Teaching Positions: Leave will not be granted for student teaching related to non-teaching positions such as school counselor, psychologist, social worker, or attendance teacher.

Application Deadlines for PSTLOA

Fall Application: July 1st – October 1st
Spring Application: December 1st – March 1st (Note: Applications for Spring are currently closed as the application cap has been reached).

Paraprofessional to Teacher Pathway Graduate Reimbursement Program

The DOE paraprofessional career training program suite also includes the Paraprofessional to Teacher Pathway Graduate Reimbursement Program. This initiative offers financial reimbursement to eligible paraprofessionals pursuing graduate education to become certified teachers. The NYCPS will reimburse up to twelve (12) graduate credits for paraprofessionals enrolled in a graduate education program leading to teacher certification.

To be eligible for reimbursement, New York State certification must be obtained after September 1st of the application year, and applicants must adhere to the program’s outlined application procedures. Maintaining full-time paraprofessional payroll status at the time of application and throughout the school year is also a requirement.

Eligibility for Graduate Reimbursement

To qualify for the Graduate Reimbursement Program, paraprofessionals must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Matriculation in NYS-Approved Program: Applicants must be admitted and fully matriculated into a NYS approved and accredited graduate education program leading to teacher certification.
Completed Graduate Credits: Completion of at least twelve (12) graduate credits towards the program is required.
Paraprofessional Experience: Applicants must have a minimum of one (1) full year of paid experience as a paraprofessional within the New York City Public Schools.
Full-Time Payroll Status: Maintaining full-time paraprofessional payroll status during application and throughout the school year is mandatory.
Eligible Coursework: All reimbursable coursework must be part of a master’s degree program in education, leading to a teaching degree and NYS certification, and must be in a classroom teaching discipline. Pre-requisite or required content courses are not eligible for reimbursement.
Minimum Grade Requirement: Coursework must have a passing grade of “B” or better to be eligible for reimbursement.

Restrictions for Graduate Reimbursement

The Graduate Reimbursement Program has specific restrictions:

Reimbursement Rate: Reimbursements are capped at the current CUNY graduate tuition rate.
Program Focus: Education programs outside of teacher education that do not lead to NYS classroom teacher certification are not eligible for reimbursement. Specifically, programs for Guidance Counselors, Psychologists, Social Workers, Attendance Teachers, and Speech Pathologists are excluded.
Pre-Admission Coursework: Reimbursement does not apply to pre-requisite courses or coursework taken before program admission.
Release Time Exclusion: Release time for graduate credits is not applicable under this program.
Initial Certification Focus: The program only reimburses for courses required for initial certification.
Financial Aid Coordination: If a participant receives other financial aid, those funds will be applied to tuition expenses first. The NYCPS will then cover the remaining eligible tuition costs up to the reimbursement limit.
Reimbursement Check Pickup: Participants are required to collect reimbursement checks in person at the Office of Scholarships, Incentives, and Pupil Personnel Services in Brooklyn, NY, with photo ID required for verification.

Application Deadlines for Graduate Reimbursement

Annual Application Window: February 1st — March 31st

Paraprofessional Certification Testing Reimbursement Program

To further support paraprofessionals in their career advancement, the DOE paraprofessional career training program offerings include the Certification Testing Reimbursement Program. This program provides a one-time reimbursement of up to $400.00 to eligible paraprofessionals to offset the costs of the state teacher certificate application and NYS certification examinations.

Eligibility requires paraprofessionals to be employed and payrolled full-time at the time of application and maintain this status throughout the school year.

Eligibility for Certification Testing Reimbursement

To be eligible for the Certification Testing Reimbursement Program, paraprofessionals must meet these requirements:

NYS Certification Attainment: Applicants must have obtained NYS teacher certification on or after September 1st of the application year.
Receipts for Application and Exams: Applicants must provide receipts for the NYS Teacher Application and NYS Certification Examinations.
Reimbursement Timeframe: Reimbursement requests must be submitted within one year of certification.

Application Deadlines for Certification Testing Reimbursement

Annual Application Window: March 1st – April 30th

Lead Teacher Assistant (LTA) / Bilingual Lead Teacher Assistant (BLTA)

Beyond programs focused on degree attainment and certification, the DOE paraprofessional career training program spectrum also includes opportunities for professional growth within the paraprofessional role itself. The Lead Teacher Assistant (LTA) and Bilingual Lead Teacher Assistant (BLTA) positions offer experienced paraprofessionals a chance to take on expanded responsibilities and enhance their classroom impact.

These annual positions are available to active, full-time paraprofessionals within NYC Public Schools. LTAs/BLTAs work under the guidance of classroom teachers, providing instructional support and catering to diverse student needs. These roles not only allow paraprofessionals to develop their skills but also serve as a valuable stepping stone for those considering a future teaching career. Eligible full-time paraprofessionals appointed to LTA/BLTA positions receive additional compensation, up to $5,000 annually. At the end of the school year, paraprofessionals revert to their previous title and base salary.

Eligibility for LTA/BLTA

To be eligible for LTA/BLTA positions, paraprofessionals must meet the following criteria:

Bachelor’s Degree: Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree at the time of application.
NYS Teacher Assistant Certification: Applicants must possess an active and issued Teacher Assistant Certificate (Level I, II, or III) from the New York State Education Department. Candidates are required to submit copies of their transcripts (official or unofficial) showing degree conferral date and their Teaching Assistant Certificate.
NYCDOE Paraprofessional Experience: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of full-time, active paraprofessional service within NYCDOE.
Satisfactory Record: A satisfactory record of attendance and punctuality is required.
Bilingual Fluency (for BLTA): Bilingual LTA applicants must demonstrate fluency in the relevant language, including reading, writing, comprehension, and speaking abilities.

Application Deadlines for LTA/BLTA

Annual Application Window: January 1st – March 31st

Conclusion

The New York City Department of Education’s commitment to fostering the professional growth of its paraprofessionals is evident through these diverse and supportive DOE paraprofessional career training programs. From tuition assistance and study time for Bachelor’s degrees to leave programs for student teaching, reimbursement for graduate studies and certification exams, and advanced paraprofessional roles like LTA/BLTA, these initiatives provide concrete pathways for career advancement. For dedicated and aspiring educators within the NYCPS system, these programs represent invaluable opportunities to achieve their professional goals and make an even greater impact on the lives of students. For further details or inquiries about any of these programs, please refer to the linked documents within each section or contact the relevant program administrators directly.