Special Education Paraeducators
Special Education Paraeducators
What Does a Special Education Paraeducator Do?
Michigan Special Education Paraeducator’s responsibilities vary by school, district, and student needs. They most often include:
- Supporting students during classroom instruction
- Assisting with individualized education program (IEP) accommodations
- Helping students with behavioral, academic, or communication goals
- Working one-on-one or in small groups under teacher supervision
Paraeducators provide hands-on assistance that helps students fully participate in learning, working along school teachers.
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Explore Careers as a Special Education Paraeducator in Michigan
If you’re interested in supporting students with disabilities and building a meaningful career in education, becoming a special education paraeducator may be a strong fit.
OPTIMISE connects individuals with information, resources, and pathways to explore special education careers across Michigan.
Skills and Qualities of an Effective Special Education Paraeducator
Successful special education paraeducators often demonstrate:
- Strong communication skills
- Patience and adaptability
- Collaboration with teachers and school teams
- A commitment to supporting students with diverse needs
- Willingness to learn and grow professionally
These skills help paraeducators build trust with students and contribute meaningfully to the classroom environment.
Education & Training Requirements for Paraeducators
OPTIMISE works with partners across Michigan to support training and career pathways for individuals interested in becoming special education paraeducators.
If you want to pursue a Title I Schools instructional paraeducator job, you will need:
- a high school diploma or GED/equivalent
- 60+ college semester credits (about 2 years), or
- an Associate Degree or higher, or
- a passing score of an approved academic assessment showing you can help with reading, writing, and math. (Link)
Special Education Paraeducator Degrees
Click a orange pin to pursue an advanced career
Additional Paraeducator Certifications:
ETS Parapro Assessment
The ParaPro Assessment measures prospective and practicing paraeducators’ skills and knowledge in reading, mathematics and writing, as well as the ability to apply those skills and knowledge to assist in classroom instruction.Â
Michigan Teachers of Tomorrow
Online
Financial Aid
ACT Work Keys Assessment
Online
Child Development Associate
Online
Financial Resources to Pursue a Special Education Paraeducator Degree
Michigan Scholarships & Grants
Talent Together
Talent Together helps you become a certified teacher. The program also helps elevate the professional credentials of existing teachers with “add-on endorsements” and mentorship training to be a lead with “teacher apprentices” at the school district.”
Michigan Reconnect Program
Michigan Reconnect is a scholarship program that pays you to attend your in-district community college tuition free or pays up to the in-district rate if you attend a community college where you’re considered out-of-district. Applicants must be 25 years old to apply.
MI Future Educator Fellowship
Amount: $10,000
MI Future Educator Stipend
Amount: $9,600 Stipend
High School Graduate Michigan Achievement Scholarship
Amount: $2,000 – $5,500
Federal Scholarships & Grants
File Your FAFSA
Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid you’re eligible to receive, which could include grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans.You must apply for aid every year.
Federal Student Aid Estimator
The Federal Student Aid Estimator provides an estimate of how much federal student aid the student may be eligible to receive. These estimates are based on the Student Aid Index (SAI), an index to determine federal student aid eligibility.
Subsidized/Un-Subsidized Loans
Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans are federal student loans offered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to help eligible students cover the cost of higher education at a four-year college or university, community college, or trade, career, or technical school.
Pell Grant
A federal grant for undergraduate students with financial need.
Teacher Loan Forgiveness*
Amount: up to $17,500
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)*
If you’re employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you might be eligible for the PSLF Program. The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans
*Borrowers can’t receive credit toward TLF and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for the same period of service. That means, if you seek and receive TLF, the five-year period of service that supported your eligibility will NOT count toward PSLF. We recommend that you consider whether you’re interested in PSLF before deciding to pursue TLF, because we can’t make changes once you receive forgiveness.
Graduate or Professional Direct PLUS Loan
Direct PLUS loans can help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. The U.S. Department of Education makes Direct PLUS Loans to eligible graduate or professional students through schools participating in the Direct Loan Program.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG
Grant for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need, administered directly by financial aid office at each participating school, not all schools participate
Federal Work-Study
part-time employment while enrolled in school, available to undergrad, grad, and professional students with financial need, available to full and part-time students, administered by participating schools, emphasizes employment in civic education and work related to course of study or civic education, on or off campus