Certification Assistance
For
Educational Aides
Plan
Certification Assistance for
Educational Aides Plan
(Adopted November 27, 2001)
In
compliance with House Bill 1130 (HB 1130) the board of trustees approved a
local plan prior to January 1, 2002 to encourage the hiring of educational
aides who show a desire to become certified teachers. The intent of
HB 1130 is to ensure that reasonable efforts are made to inform and support
instructional aides who want to become certified teachers.
HB
1130 broadens eligibility for exemption of tuition and fees for teacher
certification courses. Any school
employee who has worked as an educational aide for at least one year out of the
past five and meets the financial criteria may apply for tuition exemption. (Please see the attached information
regarding the tuition exemption program administered by the Division of Student
Services at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board [800-242-3062].)
Plan Provisions
I.
Oversight of the
Certification Assistance for Educational Aides Plan will reside in the District
Administration Office. (Contact Kay
Chapman for information or assistance regarding the program.)
II. In compliance with HB 1130 Elkhart ISD
will:
·
encourage its
educational aides to participate in the Certification Assistance Program.
·
provide its
educational aides with printed copies of pertinent program information.
·
provide its
educational aides with the necessary forms and assistance with the application
process.
·
cooperate with
area colleges and universities interested in offering education classes on the
EISD campus.
III.
Elkhart ISD
educational aides will be required to meet the qualifying or “compliance” criteria established by the
Division of Student Services at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
in order to participate in the Certification Assistance Program. (Please see attached document.)
Upon board of trustee approval of the Certification
Assistance
for Educational Aides Plan, Elkhart ISD educational
aides will be given the opportunity to:
a. raise their level of program awareness,
b. have their questions answered, and
c. indicate in writing whether they have an interest in
pursuing certification
IV.
Elkhart ISD will
use the following venues to make information about the Certification Assistance
for Educational Aides Plan available.
a. program information sheets for educational aide
application packets
b. district website program information postings
c. local newspaper program information submissions
d. recruiting, screening, and interview process inquiries
about applicant interest in the program
*Include
in educational aide application packets*
ELKHART INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Certification Assistance for Educational Aides Plan
HB
1130 broadens eligibility for exemption of tuition and fees for teacher
certification courses. Any school
employee who has worked as an educational aide for at least one year out of the
past five and meets the financial criteria may apply for tuition exemption.
The
income cut-off points have been established as follows beginning with fall of
2001:
·
If the applicant
is independent and single, his/her income must be $26,625 or less for him/her
to show financial need;
·
If the applicant
is independent and married, his/her income, combined with his/her spouse’s
income must be $53,250 or less;
·
If the applicant
is dependent, the income of his/her family must be $53,250 or less for the
applicant to show financial need.
I
have been informed of the Certification Assistance for Educational Aides
Plan.
I
am ____________ I am not
____________ interested in pursuing certification.
_______________________________________________ _____________
(Signature of Educational
Aide)
(Date)
_______________________________________________
(Printed Name of Educational Aide)