Current through September 24, 2024
(1) Educational Assistants. Educational
assistants shall, at a minimum, have a high school diploma, or a high school
equivalency credential approved by the State Board, and shall show demonstrable
proficiency in reading and writing skills.
(a) Educational assistants who have completed
one (1) or more years of college shall be given preference in
employment.
(b) Educational
assistants shall only be employed in non-teaching positions and shall be
subject to direct supervision of licensed teachers when directly involved in
the instructional program.
(c) If a
licensed teacher to whom an educational assistant has been assigned is required
to be absent from the classroom, the educational assistant may assume
responsibility for the classroom in lieu of a substitute teacher. However, no
educational assistant shall assume responsibility for the classroom for more
than three (3) consecutive school days.
(2) Educational Interpreters. All individuals
employed by LEAs or charter schools to provide educational interpreting for
students who are deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing must hold a valid
Tennessee School Services Personnel license with the appropriate endorsement or
must meet the following employment standards:
(a) All non-licensed educational interpreters
employed by an LEA or charter school prior to January 1, 2021, shall satisfy
the following requirements by January 1, 2021:
1. Obtain a passing score on the written
portion of the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA);
and
2. Obtain a minimum score of
3.0 on the performance assessment portion of the EIPA.
(b) All non-licensed educational interpreters
employed by an LEA or charter school on January 1, 2021 or after, shall satisfy
the following requirements:
1. Hold at a
minimum an associate's degree;
2.
Obtain a passing score on the written portion of the EIPA; and
3. Obtain a minimum score of 3.0 on the
performance assessment portion of the EIPA.
(c) Compensation of non-licensed individuals
providing educational interpreting shall be determined by the LEA or charter
school and shall take into consideration the level of preparation, training,
and work requirements.
Authority: T.C.A. §§
49-1-302,
49-2-203,
49-2-301,
49-5-108,
49-5-111,
49-5-412, and
49-6-6006.
