Instructional Assistant Requirements

REQUIREMENTS AND TESTING INFORMATION

Based on the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and District policy, Paraprofessionals must meet specific educational and testing requirements.  Please see below for information about these requirements.

Important Information

POSITIONS THAT ARE IMPACTED

Individuals applying for the following Classified positions must meet specific educational and testing requirements.   

  • All Education Aide III positions
  • All Educational Resource Aide positions
  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing Instructional Aide
  • All Health Care Assistant positions
  • All Instructional Aide positions
  • Instructional Aide I
  • Instructional Aide II
  • All Instructional Aide for Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
  • Library Aide
  • Resource Assistant for Students with Visual Disabilities
  • All Special Education Assistant and Trainee Positions
  • Speech Education Aide
  • Television Education Aide

REQUIREMENTS

District policy and the Every Student Succeeds Act requires all paraprofessionals to have a high school diploma or high school equivalency recognized by the California Department of Education and one of the following:

  • Have 48 semester or 72 quarter units from a recognized college or university  OR
  • Have an associate degree from a recognized college or university   OR
  • Pass the Instructional Assistance Test and pass the District Proficiency Test. 

NOTE:  College education units/degrees earned outside the United States requires a passing score on the District Proficiency Test.

WHICH COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ARE RECOGNIZED

To determine if a U.S. high school, college, or university is considered recognized, please visit one of the websites of the regional associations that accredits public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the U.S. (see below). Individuals that believe a college is accredited by another appropriate source may submit that information for consideration to the Talent Acquisition and Selection Branch. 

Accrediting Agencies:
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) - Covers: Washington DC, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Island, and Overseas

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) (formerly Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges or NASC) - Covers: Utah, Idaho, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Nevada, Montana, and Costa Rica

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) - Covers: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming

New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc./Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (NEASC-CIHE) - Covers: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and Overseas

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools/Commission on Colleges (SACS-CC); Advanced-Ed Covers: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Latin America

Western Association of Schools and Colleges - Covers: California, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands, Pacific Basin and East Asia

College Board - Covers: Colleges and Universities

Foreign degrees or transcripts may have to be evaluated by a transcript evaluation agency. 

DISTRICT PROFICIENCY TEST

TEST CONTENT

The District Proficiency Test, which has a time limit of 1 hour and 10 minutes, and contains 60 multiple-choice items which assess knowledge in the following areas:

  • Reading
  • Written English
  • Math

TESTING FEE

The Fee to Take the Test is $7.00

The testing fee will be collected on the day of your scheduled test. Payment must be made by cashier's check or money order to Los Angeles Unified School District. Cash or personal checks will not be accepted.

With the exception of individuals being hired as vocational instructors, active LAUSD employees who have received an employment offer from a school administrator, are exempt from this fee.

TEST RETAKE POLICY

Candidates who are unsuccessful on the test must wait a period of thirty (30) days before scheduling a retake appointment.  Please note that a testing fee will be charged each time a candidate retakes the test.

STUDY GUIDE

INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANCE TEST

TEST CONTENT

The Instructional Assistance Test, which has a time limit of 1 hour and 10 minutes, and contains 50 multiple-choice items which assess knowledge in the following areas:

  • Instruction (Fundamentals & Communication)
  • Classroom and Behavior Management
  • Student Observation and Assessment Written English
  • Diversity/Special Education
  • Legal and Ethical Standards

TESTING FEE

The Fee to Take the Test is $7.00

The testing fee will be collected on the day of your scheduled test. Payment must be made by cashier's check or money order to Los Angeles Unified School District. Cash or personal checks will not be accepted.

With the exception of individuals being hired as vocational instructors, active LAUSD employees who have received an employment offer from a school administrator, are exempt from this fee.

TEST RETAKE POLICY

Candidates who are unsuccessful on the test must wait a period of thirty (30) days before scheduling a retake appointment.  Please note that a testing fee will be charged each time a candidate retakes the test.

STUDY GUIDE