Paraprofessional requirements in New York
How to qualify as a paraprofessional in New York
New York does not use the Praxis para exams. It uses the Foundations of Classroom Support and Instruction (519), and that is a different test with its own passing standard. Here is what it is, what is on it, and where we stand on preparing you for it.
The exam New York actually uses
Passing scores are set by the state or the district, never nationally.
Passing score
Foundations of Classroom Support and Instruction (519)
From the National Evaluation Series, a Pearson program, through NYSTCE. Reported as pass or did not pass.
Source: NYSTCE test 519 page. Your state or district is the authority. Confirm before you book.
What is on the 519
Foundations of Classroom Support and Instruction (519). Select any band to see what it covers.
Reading
Comprehension and interpretation of the texts used in a classroom.
Subarea weighting not published
Three ways to meet the requirement
Federal law gives Title I paraprofessionals three qualifying routes.
Two years of college
Complete at least two years of study at an institution of higher education.
An associate degree or higher
Hold an associate degree or above. Already earned it, and you are done.
Pass the assessment
Pass a formal state or local assessment. In New York that assessment is the Foundations of Classroom Support and Instruction (519), not a Praxis exam.
We do not prepare you for the 519 yet
We could sell you ParaPathways prep and let you work out later that New York does not use it. We would rather tell you now. The Foundations of Classroom Support and Instruction (519) is a different exam and it deserves a course built for it, not a relabelled one.
We will tell you the day it is ready, and nothing else.
Questions we get from New York
Which exam does New York use for paraprofessionals?
New York uses the Foundations of Classroom Support and Instruction (519), from the National Evaluation Series, a Pearson program, through NYSTCE. It is not one of the Praxis para exams, so ParaPathways and ParaPro prep is aimed at a different test.
What is the passing standard on the 519?
Passing score is 220. Reported as pass or did not pass.
Should I still take the ATAS?
This replaced the Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills, test 095, known as the ATAS. If you have been told to take the ATAS, that advice is out of date. Book the 519 instead, and check the official page before you pay for anything.
Does ParaReady prepare me for it?
Not yet, and we are not going to pretend otherwise. Leave your email and we will tell you the day it is ready. The reading, writing and math overlap with what we teach, but the format and the standard are different, and that difference is what a course has to get right.
Do I need a degree to be a paraprofessional in New York?
No. Federal law gives three routes: two years of college, an associate degree, or passing a formal assessment. The assessment is the fastest of the three and the one you can finish this month.
Looking for another state? See paraprofessional requirements in every state.