Jan. 18, 2005 – The Education Department's Human Resource Division announced that they would offer the ParaPro Assessment Internet-based Testing (iBT) on Monday, Jan. 30, on St. Croix and on Tuesday, Jan. 31, on St. Thomas for territorial public school paraprofessionals. The examination will be administered at the curriculum centers in both districts. Fifteen slots are available on St. Croix and 12 on St. Thomas. Space is available on a first come, first served basis.
Paraprofessionals currently employed by the VI Department of Education and who have signed up for the examination fee scholarship may call the Division of Human Resources to register for the exam. Other individuals interested in taking the examination may register with human resources. The cost of the exam is $40 payable in check or money order at the time of registration. The exam fee is non-refundable, however a $10 fee will be charged in the event an examinee has to reschedule a sitting of the exam, according to a press release from the Education Department.
Paraprofessionals are reminded that if they entered the system prior to July of 2001, they must obtain two years of college, 60 college credits, an associate's degree or a Virgin Islands passing score on the ParaPro Assessment by the end of the 2005-2006 school year. Paraprofessionals hired after July of 2001 will have to meet one of the four requirements, prior to being hired, to be deemed highly qualified as defined by the amended No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
The scores on the exam range from 420 to 480. Effective July 1, 2005, the passing score for the Virgin Islands is 466. The exam will be offered both in the pencil and paper (P&P) format and internet-Based Test (iBT) format during the 2005-2006 school year. The P&P test will be offered six times per year, beginning with the first one, which was held on Sept. 17, 2005. The iBT will be scheduled monthly by the Department throughout the 2005-2006 school year, while the P&P will be offered at the University of the Virgin Islands.
Study guides and internet-based online tutorials for Paraprofessionals employed with the department are also available. These study guides are available to help prepare for the exam. Only current department paraprofessionals may borrow the study guide or gain access to the online tutorials.
Interested paraprofessionals may visit the Division of Human Resources between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. in both districts to sign up for the examination and to obtain study materials. No telephone sign-ups will be allowed. Interested persons can contact the Division of Human Resources on St. Croix at 773-1095, extensions 356, 358 or 362 and on St. Thomas at 774-0100, extensions 3077 or 3039, for more information.