Paraeducator Certificate/Fundamental Course of Study

FCS is completed during the first two school years of employment. 14 hours must be completed in each of the first two school years of employment. 

FCS trainings completed through Canvas are accessed by logging into the RSD Login Portal. Any units that a paraeducator needs to complete will be assigned to them. Reminders to complete classes are sent via email. Watch the Navigating Canvas video for help with getting started in Canvas and completing the assigned courses.

Paraeducators receive invitations to register for the in-person trainings through ProDev upon hire. 

Training to meet the requirements of the general certificate is broadly conceived. Any clock hour training, taken after July 1, 2019, that will assist the instructional skills of a paraeducator may count. For example, any training that is already provided to teachers can be provided to paraeducators to meet the requirements of this certificate.

Training for the general certificate must be an approved clock hour training. Paraeducators must receive training from PESB-approved clock hour providers.

Visit the ProDev Portal to see available classes provided by RSD, including class #9422 - "Exceptional Child Professional Development"

Classes from outside of RSD can also be taken. They must be from an OSPI approved clock hour provider. This includes classes from WEA. 

WEA is also offering asynchronous courses on Inclusionary Practices that are clock hour eligible. 

PESB offers two 20 hour training courses specific to ELL and Special Education. 

Paraeducators are eligible to receive compensation at time and a half their hourly rate when they have completed 14 hours of training related to FCS or General Paraeducator Certificate in the 2021-2022 school year. Employees should submit this specific Extra Hours Form after completion of all 14 hours. 

Please send HR a clock hour form or transcript confirming completion of General Paraeducator Certificate professional development when sending in your Extra Hours Form. This will be added to your personnel file. 

Paraeducators can track progress of completed FCS courses and received General Paraeducator Certificate information in Skyward.  FCS courses completed in Canvas or on ProDev are updated in Skyward on a monthly basis. General Paraeducator Certificate information is updated as you send in your Extra Hours and Certificate information to Human Resources.

Access Path: Skyward Employee Access > Custom Forms > FCS/Para C > View:

Fundamental Course of Study

Once you have completed all the required FCS courses, HR will send you an email with your Fundamental Course of Study OSPI Clock Hour Form. You will then need to:

1. Create an account with OSPI by starting here.
2. Add your FCS courses under Professional Development.
3. Complete the remaining fields on the clock hour form and email it to OSPI (cert@k12.wa.us) to show that you have met the requirements of your position. See the OSPI E-Certification Paraeducator User Guide for more information.

General Paraeducator Certificate 

Once you have completed clock hours towards your General Paraeducator Certification you will want to add them to your OPSI account under Professional Development. 

Please keep a copy of the clock hour form for your records. You may need to submit this documentation as proof of completion if you transfer to another district.

Professional Educator Standards Board

Professional Educator Standards Board - FCS Course Outline

PESB Paraeducator Certificate Program Infographic

OSPI Clock Hour Form for Fundamental Course of Study

WEA

OSPI E-Certification Paraeducator User Guide