Paraeducator Certificate/Fundamental Course of Study

The Paraeducator Certificate Program offers statewide standards-based training for all paraeducators, and supports a career growth ladder for those who wish to advance their career as a paraeducator or pursue a teaching profession.

During the 2021-22 school year, school districts are required to provide 14 hours of training on the Fundamental Course of Study or 14 hours of training towards the General Paraeducator Certificate to their paraeducators.

Training components:

The training begins with the 28-hour Fundamental Course of Study (FCS), a course focused on the new paraeducator standards of practice.
Following the completion of the FCS, a paraeducator must complete an additional 70 hours of training to earn the General Paraeducator Certificate.
A paraeducator may choose to earn a Subject Matter Certificate by completing 20 hours of training. There are two Subject Matter Certificates: English Language Learner and Special Education. These certificates expire after five years (may be renewed), and are not prerequisites for employment. A paraeducator may use their Subject Matter Certificate towards meeting the requirements of the general certificate. The state has developed online courses to meet both of these certificates. These courses are free and upon completion, the paraeducator meets the requirements of the certificate.
Finally, a paraeducator may earn the Advanced Paraeducator Certificate once they complete the general certificate and an additional 75 hours of advanced professional development. The advanced certificate expires after five years (may be renewed) and it is not a prerequisite for employment.

The FCS Courses are as follows:

Year 1 – Fundamental Course of Study
Course	Hours	Delivery/Date
Introduction to Cultural Identity and Diversity (FCS01)	4	In Person August 25, December 3, Mach 21
Equity (FCS06)	3	In Person August 25, December 3, Mach 21
District Orientation and Roles & Responsibilities (FCS05)	3	Online via Canvas
Behavior Management Strategies (FCS07)	2	Online via Canvas Right Response training can be substituted if in an eligible to take the class.
Emergency and Health Safety (FCS09)	1	Online via Vector (part of required new hire training)
Communication Challenges (FCS12)	1	Online Via Canvas
Total Hours	14

Year 2 – Fundamental Course of Study
Course	Hours	Delivery/Date
Positive and Safe Learning Environment (FCS10)	3	Online via Canvas
Communication Basics (FCS11)	2	Online via Canvas
Methods of Educational Support and Instructional Support (FCS02)	4	Online via Canvas
Technology Basics (FCS03)	2	Online via Canvas
Using and Collecting Data (FCS04)	1	Online via Canvas
Child and Adolescent Development (FCS08)	2	Online Via Canvas
Total Hours	14

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

COMPLETION DEADLINES

Completion dates are determined by when you began your Paraeducator position. To find your specific due date & completion status, access the “FCS Comple” link under Custom Forms in your Skyward Employee Access (see screenshot below).

Note, the checkboxes for Extra Hours Processed & In Person Training are marked for the following:

Extra Hours Processed: Extra Hours have been submitted to payroll on your behalf.
In Person Training: the training was completed in person or via a synchronous method such as zoom.

We encourage you to complete your courses prior to the end of the school year, to allow time for processing & submission to OSPI.

Access Path: Skyward Employee Access > Custom Forms > FCS Comple > View:

COURSE COMPLETION

RSD offers FCS trainings through Canvas, accessed by logging in through the RSD Login Portal. Any units that a Paraeducator still needs to complete will be assigned to them. Watch the Navigating Canvas video for help with getting started in Canvas and completing the available courses.

Please note, FCS09 is offered through Vector Solutions, formerly Safe Schools for this current school year.

SUBMITTING DOCUMENTATION

You do not need to submit any additional documentation to HR if you are completing FCS trainings through Vector Solutions.

If you completed an FCS training through an outside agency (like WEA), you do not need to complete the trainings with RSD. Please send HR documentation confirming completion, such as a transcript, to be processed and added to your Personnel file. Outside trainings earned while employed by RSD may be eligible for Extra Hours and Training Hours, we recommend working with your HR Generalist for processing.

Skyward will be updated on a monthly basis; please check your FCS Completion and Training Hours custom forms after the 10^th of the month. Extra Hours will be paid on the following month’s payroll and Training Hours will be paid according to the quarterly payout schedule.

SUBMISSION TO OSPI

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

Create an account with OSPI by starting here.
Add your FCS courses under Professional Development.
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.

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.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Please contact your Human Resources Generalist if you have any questions.

Contact information can be found on our Human Resources Department webpage, under HR Contact Info.

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