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What the bill does
- HB 1017 (full text) requires each school district to create a list of critical shortages of education staff professionals similar to the current list complied of critical teacher shortage areas.
- School districts must fund incentives to recruit and retain education staff professionals in positions that have a critical shortage. These funds would be subject to legislative appropriation.
- No later than July 1, 2023, each school district must adopt and implement a program to provide paraprofessionals with a “system of career development” and provide economic incentives to “encourage excellence among education paraprofessionals.”
What’s Next
- HB 1017 will have its first committee stop in the House Secondary Education & Career Development Subcommittee.
- SB 1576 will have its next committee stop in Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education.
Talking Points
- Strong public schools are the heartbeat of their communities, and education staff professionals are the backbone of strong schools.
- All students, but especially those with learning differences, deserve the individual attention they need to reach their potential. Education paraprofessionals are crucial in ensuring that students’ needs are met.
- A focus on recruiting, retaining, and paying a living wage to education staff professionals will benefit all students by ensuring schools have the staff necessary to help each child learn and grow.
