Memo: NSEA Supports Senate Bill 352

NSEA represents paraprofessionals in most Nevada school districts. Paraprofessionals perform a critical function in helping to deliver a high-quality education to Nevada students. This can include assisting with the evaluation of student work and reports on student progress and behavior, conducting small-group sessions, helping develop differentiated lesson plans, assisting in instruction and classroom management, assisting students with assigned activities.

Facing a chronic teacher shortage, especially from Nevada’s diverse communities, the career pathway for paraprofessionals to become licensed teachers is of great importance. Many paraprofessionals are already working full-time in a Nevada classroom and already possess many of the skills to be developed through student teaching. Accelerating this 16-week requirement removes a significant obstacle to obtaining teaching credentials.