The New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) is committed to the professional growth of its staff, especially paraprofessionals who play a vital role in the city’s public schools. Recognizing the dedication and potential within this group, the NYC DOE offers a robust Career Training Program (CTP) designed to empower paraprofessionals to advance their education and careers within the DOE system. This initiative encompasses several key programs aimed at providing financial assistance, leave options, and career advancement opportunities. This guide offers a detailed overview of the Nyc Doe Career Training Program, outlining eligibility criteria, application processes, and benefits for each component.
Understanding the Core: Career Training Program (CTP)
At the heart of the NYC DOE’s commitment to its paraprofessionals is the Career Training Program (CTP). This program is specifically designed to support eligible UFT (United Federation of Teachers) paraprofessionals in achieving their first Bachelor’s degree. The program’s most significant benefit is tuition coverage for undergraduate study at participating colleges and universities, covering 3 to 6 credits per semester.
For paraprofessionals actively enrolled in five (5) or more credit hours, the CTP also provides a valuable resource: Release Time. Participants are eligible for two and a half (2.5) hours of release time per week, allowing them dedicated time for study and academic pursuits during their work week. Additionally, to further support academic endeavors, the program offers a Summer Stipend for eligible paraprofessionals to assist with study-related expenses during the summer semester.
It’s important to note that while the CTP provides substantial support, paraprofessionals are responsible for independently researching, applying to, and enrolling in an approved participating college or university. This encourages self-direction and ensures the program participants are invested in their educational journey.
| ELIGIBILITY for CTP: |
|---|
| – Must be a full-time paraprofessional in a NYC public school without a Bachelor’s degree. |
| – Must be payrolled full-time at application and remain so throughout the application school year. |
| – Must provide proof of matriculation into a degree program after completing 45 credits. |
| – Substitute Paraprofessionals are ineligible. |
| – CTP covers up to 120 credits towards the first Bachelor’s degree (exceptions reviewed case-by-case). |
| – The 120-credit limit includes transfer credits and credits earned before program entry. |
| – Minimum GPA of 2.0 required for eligibility and to maintain program participation. |
| – Maintaining a “C” average (2.0 GPA) is mandatory for continued eligibility. |
| – Grades of “F”, late withdrawals, or unofficial withdrawals are not covered. |
| – Paraprofessionals losing CTP eligibility are responsible for all subsequent course costs. |
Financial Aspects of the CTP
The CTP program is designed to minimize the financial burden on participating paraprofessionals. Financial aid, such as the Federal Pell Grant and the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), is prioritized to cover tuition expenses. The NYC DOE then covers any remaining tuition balance after these grants are applied. This ensures that tuition costs are largely taken care of for eligible participants.
However, it’s crucial to understand that the NYC DOE does not cover all college expenses. Paraprofessionals are responsible for costs associated with course materials, activity fees, application fees, technology fees, and any other miscellaneous fees charged by the college or university. Careful budgeting and financial planning are advisable to account for these additional expenses.
| FINANCIAL AID for CTP: |
|---|
| – Financial aid (Pell Grant, TAP) covers tuition first. |
| – NYCPS bills for remaining tuition balance. |
| – NYCPS does not cover course materials or other college fees (activity, application, technology, etc.). |
| – Paraprofessionals are responsible for non-tuition fees. |
Application Deadlines for CTP
Staying on top of application deadlines is critical for accessing the CTP benefits. Applications are semester-specific, and unused vouchers cannot be carried over.
| APPLICATION AVAILABILITY for CTP: |
|---|
| – Fall Semester: May 1st – June 30th |
| – Spring Semester: September 1st – October 31st |
| – Summer Semester: February 1st – March 31st |
| – Application required for each semester. |
| – Unused vouchers cannot be rolled over. |
Expanding Horizons: Paraprofessional Student Teaching Leave of Absence Program
Recognizing that practical experience is crucial for aspiring teachers, the NYC DOE offers the Paraprofessional Student Teaching Leave of Absence Program. This program provides eligible paraprofessionals with up to 40 days of paid leave to fulfill student teaching requirements, a common hurdle for paraprofessionals seeking teacher certification as many colleges do not accept paraprofessional work in lieu of formal student teaching. This initiative directly addresses this challenge, facilitating the transition from paraprofessional to certified teacher. It’s important to note that the number of leaves is capped at 100 per year (50 in the fall, 50 in the spring), and approval is required before commencing the leave.
| ELIGIBILITY for Student Teaching Leave of Absence: |
|---|
| – Must be a full-time, active employee with at least one full school year as a Paraprofessional. |
| – Must be payrolled full-time at application and remain so throughout the application school year. |
| – Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the program of study. |
| – Must be enrolled in a NYSED-approved teacher certification program. |
| – Online or out-of-state colleges must have NYSED-approved programs. |
| – Categories of eligibility: |
| – Category A: Degree in education but lacking student teaching. |
| – Category B: Master’s program leading to initial certification, needing student teaching. |
| – Category C: Undergraduate program leading to initial certification, needing student teaching. |
Key Restrictions for Student Teaching Leave
The Student Teaching Leave of Absence Program has specific restrictions to ensure its effective and fair implementation:
| RESTRICTIONS for Student Teaching Leave of Absence: |
|---|
| – All documents due 4 weeks before requested leave date. |
| – Limited leaves per year (Fall and Spring only). |
| – Must be payrolled full-time during application and leave. |
| – Priority given based on need, especially those already graduated from teacher education programs. |
| – One-time application only for this program. |
| – Leave is for student teaching leading to initial teacher certification only. |
| – No leave for non-teaching positions (counselor, psychologist, etc.). |
Application Windows for Student Teaching Leave
Application windows for the Student Teaching Leave of Absence Program are also semester-based and time-sensitive:
| APPLICATION AVAILABILITY for Student Teaching Leave of Absence: |
|---|
| – Fall Application: July 1st – October 1st |
| – Spring Application: December 1st – March 1st (Application often closes early due to reaching cap) |
Graduate Studies Support: Paraprofessional to Teacher Pathway Graduate Reimbursement Program
For paraprofessionals aiming for advanced education, the NYC DOE offers the Paraprofessional to Teacher Pathway Graduate Reimbursement Program. This initiative reimburses eligible paraprofessionals for up to twelve (12) graduate credits towards a teacher certification-leading graduate program. New York State certification must be obtained after September 1st of the application year to qualify, and adherence to application procedures is essential. Applicants must maintain full-time paraprofessional status throughout the application process and school year.
| ELIGIBILITY for Graduate Reimbursement Program: |
|---|
| – Must be admitted and matriculated into a NYS-approved graduate teacher education program. |
| – Must have completed 12 credits towards the graduate program. |
| – Minimum of one full year of paid experience as a NYCPS paraprofessional. |
| – Must be payrolled full-time at application and remain so throughout the application school year. |
| – Coursework must be in a master’s degree program leading to teaching and NYS certification. |
| – Graduate programs must be in a classroom teaching discipline. |
| – Pre-requisite courses are ineligible for reimbursement. |
| – Coursework must have a grade of “B” or better for reimbursement. |
Restrictions and Key Details of Graduate Reimbursement
The Graduate Reimbursement Program has specific restrictions and operational details:
| RESTRICTIONS for Graduate Reimbursement Program: |
|---|
| – Reimbursement at current CUNY graduate tuition rate. |
| – Programs not leading to NYS classroom teacher certification are ineligible. |
| – Ineligible disciplines: Guidance Counselors, Psychologists, Social Workers, Attendance Teachers, and Speech Pathologists. |
| – No reimbursement for pre-requisite courses or coursework before program admission. |
| – No release time for graduate credits. |
| – Reimbursement only for courses required for Initial certification. |
| – Financial aid is prioritized; NYCPS covers the remaining tuition balance. |
| – Reimbursement checks must be picked up in person at 65 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY. |
Application Timeline for Graduate Reimbursement
The application window for the Graduate Reimbursement Program is annual:
| APPLICATION AVAILABILITY for Graduate Reimbursement Program: |
|---|
| – Annually: February 1st – March 31st |
Certification Cost Relief: Paraprofessional Certification Testing Reimbursement Program
To further ease the financial path to becoming a certified teacher, the NYC DOE provides a one-time reimbursement of up to $400.00 for state teacher certificate application and NYS certification exams through the Paraprofessional Certification Testing Reimbursement Program. Eligibility requires full-time paraprofessional status at the time of application and throughout the school year. NYS certification must be attained on or after September 1st of the application year.
| ELIGIBILITY for Certification Testing Reimbursement Program: |
|---|
| – NYS teacher certification attained on or after 09/01 of the application year. |
| – Receipts for NYS Examinations and NYS Teacher Application required. |
| – Reimbursement must be requested within one year of certification. |
Required Documentation for Certification Reimbursement
Applying for the Certification Testing Reimbursement requires specific documentation:
| REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION for Certification Testing Reimbursement: |
|---|
| – Certification Testing Reimbursement Program Application |
| – NYS Teacher Application and NYS Examination receipts |
| – Proof of passing certification examinations |
Application Period for Certification Testing Reimbursement
The application window for Certification Testing Reimbursement is annual:
| APPLICATION AVAILABILITY for Certification Testing Reimbursement Program: |
|---|
| – Annually: March 1st – April 30th |
Career Advancement: Lead Teacher Assistant (LTA) / Bilingual Lead Teacher Assistant (BLTA)
For paraprofessionals seeking immediate career advancement and increased classroom responsibilities, the NYC DOE offers the Lead Teacher Assistant (LTA) and Bilingual Lead Teacher Assistant (BLTA) positions. These are annual positions for active, full-time paraprofessionals with a Bachelor’s degree and a Teacher Assistant Certificate. LTAs/BLTAs provide instructional support under teacher supervision, enhancing their skills and providing a pathway towards a teaching career. Eligible paraprofessionals in these roles receive additional compensation up to $5,000 annually, reverting to their previous title and salary at the end of the school year.
| ELIGIBILITY for LTA/BLTA Positions: |
|---|
| – Must have a Bachelor’s degree at the time of application. |
| – Must possess an active NYS Teacher Assistant Certificate (Level I, II, or III). |
| – Transcript showing degree conferral and Teaching Assistant Certificate copy required. |
| – Minimum of one year as a full-time, active NYCDOE paraprofessional. |
| – Satisfactory attendance and punctuality record. |
| – BLTA applicants must demonstrate fluency in the required language. |
Application Timeline for LTA/BLTA Positions
The application window for LTA/BLTA positions is annual:
| APPLICATION AVAILABILITY for LTA/BLTA Positions: |
|---|
| – Annually: January 1st – March 31st |
Conclusion: Empowering Paraprofessionals Through the NYC DOE Career Training Program
The NYC DOE Career Training Program represents a significant investment in the professional development of its paraprofessionals. By offering tuition assistance, student teaching leave, graduate reimbursement, certification test coverage, and career advancement opportunities through LTA/BLTA positions, the DOE empowers paraprofessionals to achieve their educational and career aspirations within the NYC public school system. For dedicated paraprofessionals looking to grow and contribute even more to the education of New York City’s students, the NYC DOE Career Training Program provides the resources and support to make those goals a reality.
For further inquiries or detailed information about any of these programs, please contact the NYC DOE at [email protected] or call (718) 935-2449.
