2023 Minnesota Statutes

121A.642 PARAPROFESSIONAL TRAINING.

Subdivision 1.Training required.

A school district or charter school must provide a minimum of eight hours of paid orientation or professional development annually to all paraprofessionals, Title I aides, and other instructional support staff. Six of the eight hours must be completed before the first instructional day of the school year or within 30 days of hire. The orientation or professional development must be relevant to the employee's occupation and may include collaboration time with classroom teachers and planning for the school year. For paraprofessionals who provide direct support to students, at least 50 percent of the professional development or orientation must be dedicated to meeting the requirements of this section. Professional development for paraprofessionals may also address the requirements of section 120B.363, subdivision 3. A school administrator must provide an annual certification of compliance with this requirement to the commissioner.

Subd. 2.Reimbursement for paraprofessional training.

(a) Beginning in fiscal year 2025, the commissioner of education must reimburse school districts, charter schools, intermediate school districts and other cooperative units, the Perpich Center for Arts Education, and the Minnesota State Academies in the form and manner specified by the commissioner for paraprofessional training costs.

(b) The paraprofessional reimbursement equals the prior year compensation expenses associated with providing up to eight hours of paid orientation and professional development for each paraprofessional trained under subdivision 1.

(c) The commissioner may establish procedures to ensure that any costs reimbursed under this section are excluded from other school revenue calculations.

History:

2023 c 55 art 2 s 42