Representative John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN) yesterday introduced the American ParaProfessional Learning Equity (APPLE) Act to protect teachers’ aides who may lose their jobs because of unfair burdens imposed by the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2002.
“I have heard from far too many teachers’ aides in recent months who fear that they may not be able to meet the arbitrary education requirements imposed by the NCLB Act.  Most, if not all of them, have dedicated years of service assisting our teachers in the classroom. Since they do not enjoy tenure, they would have been fired years ago if  they were incompetent.”
The NCLB Act requires all teacher’s aides in Title I schools to have an Associate’s degree, more college credits, or a passing grade on a state or locally-certified test by 2006. For many aides, affording a college degree or requisite courses simply is not a viable financial option. Thus, the only remaining choice open to them is passing a standardized proficiency test.
“The problem is, however, that a large majority of teachers’ aides fear that they will be unable to pass the test,” Congressman Duncan noted. “Most, if not all, of the aides I have met are very intelligent people with years of experience. In fact, if you added up all their years of service, it would amount to several centuries.”
Congressman Duncan continued, “I strongly support the teachers’ aides in the elementary schools. I completely understand why they worry about being tested on algebra, geometry and other complex, advanced subjects that they have not studied in many, many years. I believe that it does not take a complicated test to prove that they are eminently qualified to work with our children. Although I have a law degree, I, myself, would not be confident that I could pass such a test on complex academic subjects without adequate preparation.”
The APPLE Act would allow teachers’ aides hired before the enactment of the NCLB Act to be evaluated in the classroom instead of forcing them to take a standardized test. State department of education officials or officials from neighboring school systems who have been trained by the states would conduct such in-person evaluations. Teachers’ aides hired after the enactment of the NCLB would still have to meet the educational requirements imposed by the NCLB Act.
The teachers’ aides Congressman Duncan has consulted with would prefer a fairer means of evaluating their skills. Duncan noted, “I am all in favor of requirements that our teachers and teachers’ aides be highly qualified, but I want a better way to determine that. It is simply not fair to change the rules in the middle of the game for people who have been on the job for many years. I simply want the teachers’ aides to be evaluated in the classroom for the skills necessary to teach our children instead of taking a standardized test.”

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