Creditable Experience for Paraprofessionals Transitioning to a Teaching Role

Many districts offer grow your own programs that create a pathway for instructional aides to transition to certified teachers, and districts often ask whether instructional aide experience can be used for placement purposes on the teacher hiring schedule.

Instructional Aide Experience

Beginning with the 2004-2005 school year, a certified instructional aide who becomes a certified teacher must be given up to two years of service credit for salary placement if all the following caveats for the instructional aide apply:

• Held a teaching aide certificate at the time the service was rendered
• Was employed by an entity recognized for creditable years of service
• Met the minimum requirements for days of service as specified in TAC Chapter 153.1021 (f)

The intent of the rule is to provide teacher aides with an incentive to seek certification as classroom teachers. It is worth noting that instructional aides who received their teaching certification or were placed under a permit prior to the 2004-2005 contractual year will not qualify for the additional years of service on the minimum salary schedule under this rule. Additionally, prior instructional aide experience must be verified on the teacher service record form (FIN-115) or a similar form containing the same information.

Service Miscalculations

The situation may arise where an aide who has moved into a teaching role questions their years of creditable service. If a review of the individual’s service record uncovers a miscalculation of creditable service and pay, the district may be liable for underpayment for up to four years. Consult local counsel to determine the specific amount due.

More information

Additional information is available in the HR Services’ webinar Service Record Management and on TEA’s Teacher Salary and Service Information page. The 2005 TEA To the Administrator Addressed Correspondence on the topic is also available online.