Arkansas Paraprofessional Requirements
A complete guide to paraprofessional qualification in the Natural State. Required assessments, qualifications, career pathways, and salary information.
Arkansas Paraprofessional Quick Facts
Required Score
457 on the retired ParaPro scale
Exam and minimum vary by state or district. Verify the current requirement.
Test Duration
145 min total (85 + 60)
ParaPathways: Reading & Writing 85 min, Mathematics 60 min, timed separately
Test Sections
2
Reading & Writing and Mathematics, scored separately
Test Fee
$59 / $75
ParaPathways: $59 at a test center, $75 at home
School Districts
233
Regular school districts (NCES, 2021-22)
Background Check
Required
Mandatory Arkansas State Police, FBI, and Child Maltreatment Central Registry checks; High school diploma or GED
Governing Body
Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
Alternative Qualifications
- Associate's Degree (AA, AS) or higher from accredited institution
- 60 semester hours of college coursework from accredited institution
Annual Pay (Middle 50%)
Teaching assistants, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
Overview of Paraprofessional Qualifications in Arkansas
To comply with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Arkansas requires that all paraprofessionals who provide instructional support in Title I-funded programs meet rigorous standards of qualification.
ESSA Compliance and State Standards
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) establishes federal requirements that paraprofessionals working in Title I programs must meet one of three qualification pathways: hold a degree, complete college coursework, or pass a formal assessment.
Arkansas's Commitment to High-Quality Classroom Support
Arkansas places a strong emphasis on making sure paraprofessionals are well-equipped to help certified teachers raise student achievement. The qualification requirements verify that you have the academic skills to work effectively with students. The ETS ParaPathways Assessment, which replaced the retired ParaPro, is the most common tool used across Arkansas's 15 Education Service Cooperatives and school districts. It provides a uniform standard while still offering multiple pathways so the career is accessible to a range of candidates.
Requirements for Paraprofessionals in Arkansas
State education codes and federal ESSA guidelines establish clear standards for all instructional paraprofessionals working in Title I programs.
Three Pathways to Qualification
Option 1: Degree
Hold an associate's degree (AA, AS) or higher from an accredited college or university.
- Official sealed transcripts required
- Must be from accredited institution
- Arkansas requires a regionally accredited institution (per Arkansas DESE)
Option 2: College Credits
Complete at least 60 semester hours of college coursework from an accredited institution.
- Official transcript required
- Ask the hiring district which courses it counts
- Ask the hiring district which of your college credits it will count
Option 3: Assessment
Pass a formal state or locally approved assessment demonstrating knowledge in reading, writing, and mathematics.
- ETS ParaPathways Assessment with 322 on Reading and Writing (5758) and 325 on Mathematics (5759), the primary and most widely accepted option in Arkansas (a 457 on the retired ParaPro scale still counts if already earned)
- 87 questions across two subtests: Reading & Writing (51) and Mathematics (36)
- The most direct route for candidates who don't have the required college credits
Additional Arkansas Requirements
All prospective school employees must complete three separate background checks: an Arkansas State Police criminal check, an FBI criminal check (with fingerprinting), and an Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry check. A district may hire you provisionally while the results are pending, but it cannot keep you on if a check disqualifies you.
You must hold a high school diploma or GED certificate. This is a baseline requirement for all pathways.
Who Needs to Meet These Requirements in Arkansas?
These standards apply to instructional paraprofessionals in a Title I schoolwide school (however the position is funded) and to those in a Title I targeted-assistance school who are paid in whole or in part with Title I funds.
Must Meet Requirements
- • Instructional Aides: General classroom assistants who work directly with students on academic tasks
- • Title I Paraprofessionals: Staff hired specifically with Title I funds for targeted academic support and interventions
- • Special Education Instructional Aides: Paraprofessionals who help implement academic components of a student's IEP
- • ESL Paraprofessionals: Assistants providing language and academic support to English language learners
- • Library/Media Assistants: If the role includes instructional duties such as teaching research skills or leading story time
May Not Need Requirements
- • Non-Title I School Staff: Although many districts hold all aides to the same standards as a best practice
- • Non-Instructional Aides: Staff with exclusively supervisory or clerical duties (playground, cafeteria, bus monitors)
- • Personal Care Aides: Those whose duties are strictly non-instructional (physical or health needs)
- • Parent Liaisons or Translators: Staff whose only duties are translating or parent involvement still need a high school diploma or equivalent, but not the college or test requirement
ParaPathways Assessment Details
Test Format
- 87 questions across two subtests, 145 minutes total (85 + 60), timed separately
- Computer-based testing with a user-friendly interface
- Two subtests: Reading & Writing (51 questions, 85 min), Mathematics (36 questions, 60 min)
- At-home testers see unofficial scores on screen when they finish
Score Details
- Scale: 310-350 points per subtest
- Arkansas required passing scores: 322 on Reading and Writing (5758) and 325 on Mathematics (5759)
- Retakes (ETS rule): one retake as soon as you like, then a 21-day wait after your most recent attempt before two more attempts
In-Depth ParaPathways Assessment Breakdown
This assessment measures the practical application of academic skills in a classroom context. ParaPathways (5757) has two separately timed, separately scored subtests: Reading and Writing (5758), 51 questions in 85 minutes, and Mathematics (5759), 36 questions in 60 minutes. Each subtest is scored on a 310-350 scale. Some Reading and Writing questions ask you to select one or more answers, and some math questions ask you to type in a number. Arkansas requires 322 on Reading and Writing and 325 on Mathematics. Here's what each section covers and how it connects to real work in Arkansas classrooms.
Reading (Reading and Writing subtest 5758: about 30 of its 51 questions)
Skills Tested: Understanding, interpreting, and analyzing a variety of texts. You'll identify main ideas, locate supporting details, determine the author's purpose, understand vocabulary in context, and draw logical inferences.
In the Classroom: A paraprofessional in a Fort Smith elementary school might lead a small reading group, asking questions to make sure students grasp a story, or helping them use context clues to figure out unfamiliar words.
Writing (Reading and Writing subtest 5758: about 21 of its 51 questions)
Skills Tested: Grammar, usage, punctuation, spelling, and sentence structure. You'll also show your ability to apply this knowledge when helping students with the writing process.
In the Classroom: An aide in a Fayetteville high school could help a student revise an essay, correcting run-on sentences, fixing comma usage, and suggesting stronger word choices.
Mathematics (subtest 5759: 36 questions)
Skills Tested: About 18 questions on numbers and operations and 18 on geometry, measurement and data analysis; an on-screen four-function calculator is provided. Number sense, operations with fractions and decimals, basic algebra (solving for x), geometry (area, perimeter), measurement, and data interpretation (reading charts and graphs).
In the Classroom: A paraprofessional in a Jonesboro middle school might help students calculate supply costs, convert measurements for a science experiment, or interpret a graph showing population changes in Arkansas over time.
After the Test: Scores and Next Steps in Arkansas
If you test at home, you'll see your unofficial scores on screen when you finish.
If You Passed (322 Reading and Writing, 325 Mathematics)
- Step 1: Document Your Score. Print the unofficial score report or take a clear photo of the screen for your immediate records.
- Step 2: Begin Background Checks. Start the three required checks right away (State Police, FBI, Child Maltreatment). Your target district will provide the forms and instructions. This takes time, so don't delay.
- Step 3: Update Your Applications. Upload your official score report (ETS sends official scores roughly one to three weeks after the test) to your online applications.
- Step 4: Apply and Interview. Start applying for specific openings. Highlight your qualified status in your cover letter and be ready to connect your skills to the needs of Arkansas students.
If You Need to Retake
- Step 1: Don't Be Discouraged. This is a challenging test. Use your score report as a diagnostic tool to identify where you fell short.
- Step 2: Analyze Your Sub-Scores. The two subtests are scored separately, and the report shows your raw points in each content category. If you passed one subtest and missed the other by a few points, you now have a clear target.
- Step 3: Plan Your Retake Timing. ETS lets you retake ParaPathways once as soon as you like; after that, you wait 21 days after your most recent attempt, then you can take it two more times. Use this time for focused study.
- Step 4: Register and Retake. You can register for just the subtest you missed ($37.50 at home, $29.50 at a test center). Ask your district whether a subtest you already passed still counts.
Preparing for Your Arkansas ParaPathways Assessment
A consistent study plan is the most reliable path to hitting the passing scores: 322 on Reading and Writing (5758) and 325 on Mathematics (5759). How much time you need depends on your starting point, but a structured approach makes a big difference.
Recommended Study Timelines
Quick Refresher
Best if you have a strong academic background. Focus on practice tests and reviewing any weak spots. Get familiar with the question format and timing.
Solid Preparation
The recommended timeline for most people. Start with a diagnostic practice test, then spend two weeks on your weakest subject, one week on your second-weakest, and finish with timed full-length practice tests.
In-Depth Review
If you need to build skills in a particular area or it's been a long time since you've done formal academics, take the extra time. Confidence matters on test day.
Free Study Resources
- Official ETS Website: When you register, ETS gives you a free interactive practice test. ETS also publishes the official ParaPathways Study Companion, with sample questions. This should be your starting point.
- Arkansas Education Service Cooperatives: Ask the cooperative that serves your region (like Dawson in Arkadelphia or Arch Ford in Plumerville) whether it offers or links to study resources.
- Arkansas Public Libraries: Your public library may offer free test-prep databases; ask a librarian whether any cover ParaPathways.
- Khan Academy: Free and self-paced, great for brushing up on math from basic arithmetic through algebra and geometry.
Paid Study Options
You don't need to spend money to pass, but some people prefer having structured materials to follow:
- Official ETS practice tests: ETS sells timed ParaPathways practice tests for each subtest on its website.
- Online prep courses ($40-60/month): Sites like Mometrix, Study.com, and 240 Tutoring offer video lessons and practice questions for paraprofessional tests; make sure a course covers ParaPathways before you pay.
- Paraprofessional test-prep books ($20-40): Available online and in bookstores. Make sure they cover ParaPathways, not only the retired ParaPro.
Arkansas-Specific Tip
Check with your local Education Service Cooperative before spending money on prep materials. Ask the district's HR office whether it pays or reimburses the test fee.
Test Day: What to Expect in Arkansas
Knowing the procedures ahead of time helps you walk in confident and focused. Here's what your experience will look like at an Arkansas testing location.
What to Bring
ETS lists the identification it accepts in your confirmation email and test-day instructions. Check yours against that list before test day.
Bring your registration confirmation and receipt from the Education Service Cooperative or testing center.
Testing rooms can be cold. A light jacket lets you stay comfortable without distraction.
What NOT to Bring
Check-In Procedure
- 1 Follow the ETS check-in instructions. ETS states how early to arrive and what identification to present in your confirmation email and the test-day instructions for the delivery option you chose. Read them before you leave.
- 2 Store personal items. All belongings go in a designated area. You won't have access to them during the test.
- 3 Take your assigned seat. The proctor will go over the rules and instructions, then the clock starts.
Tips for During the Test
Watch your time
Each subtest is timed separately: 85 minutes for 51 Reading and Writing questions, 60 minutes for 36 Mathematics questions. That is about 1 minute 40 seconds per question on both. If you're stuck, mark it and move on.
Read carefully
Many wrong answers come from misreading the question. Pay close attention to words like "not," "except," and "best."
Eliminate wrong answers
Crossing out answers you know are wrong improves your odds even when you're not sure about the right one.
Don't leave blanks
ETS counts only the questions you answer correctly, so never leave a blank. If time runs out, fill in your best guess for every remaining question.
About Arkansas Testing Locations
In Arkansas, the ETS paraprofessional assessment has been offered at Education Service Cooperatives, some school district offices, and community college testing centers, and you can also take ParaPathways at home through ETS's remote proctoring option. If you're in a rural area, the at-home option can save a long drive. Just make sure you have a reliable computer, webcam, and internet connection, plus a quiet room where you won't be interrupted. ETS decides where its current assessment is offered, so check its test-center locator rather than assuming a site listed here carried over.
Paraprofessional Salary and Employment in Arkansas
Paraprofessional salaries vary by district, experience level, and role specialization.
Middle 50% of Earners
Top 10% Earn
Pay Varies by District
Pay varies by district; check the salary schedule the district posts.
Typical Benefits Package
High-Demand Roles in Arkansas
Special Education Paraprofessionals: Check district job boards for special education aide openings.
ESL Paraprofessionals: Check district job boards for bilingual aide openings.
Pre-K Aides: Paraprofessionals in Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) pre-K classrooms that are part of a Title I schoolwide program must meet the same requirements.
Career Pathway: From Paraprofessional to Teacher
Working as a paraprofessional is a great stepping stone to teaching in Arkansas. If you have a bachelor's degree in a non-education field, you can pursue a Master's in teaching or enter an alternative licensure program like the Arkansas Professional Educator Pathway (ArPEP, formerly APPEL). If you have 60+ college credits, you can work toward completing a bachelor's in education. Either way, your classroom experience is a major asset.
Arkansas Test Centers
If you take the ETS ParaPathways test, ETS lists community-based test centers by state and also offers at-home testing. Some school districts and agencies are test centers; contact the center directly to book.
Practical notes
- • Education Service Cooperatives have been the main in-person testing locations across Arkansas; check ETS's test-center locator for current sites
- • Some school districts and community colleges have also hosted testing; check the ETS test-center locator for current ParaPathways sites
How to Register for an Assessment in Arkansas
The registration process typically begins through a school district's Human Resources department or the state education agency.
Choose Your Testing Option
You can test at home through ETS (register at ets.org) or at a test center. Arkansas's 15 Education Service Cooperatives, school district testing sites, and community college testing centers have hosted testing; ETS's test-center locator shows which sites currently offer ParaPathways. Pick the option that works best for your location.
Register and Schedule
For at-home testing, create an ETS account and schedule online. For in-person testing, check ETS's test-center locator and the website of your local cooperative (like Dawson in Arkadelphia or Arch Ford in Plumerville) for dates. Both subtests together cost $75 at home or $59 at a test center.
Prepare and Confirm
For at-home testing, make sure your computer meets the technical specifications (webcam, stable internet, quiet private room). For in-person, confirm your test date, time, and location, and review what to bring.
Pathway to Teaching
Working as a paraprofessional is a proven path to becoming a certified teacher in Arkansas. If you have a bachelor's degree in a non-education field, the Arkansas Professional Educator Pathway (ArPEP, formerly APPEL) offers an alternative route. If you're still earning college credits, you can work toward completing your degree in education while gaining valuable classroom experience.
Frequently Asked Questions - Arkansas Paraprofessionals
What are the three background checks and how do I complete them?
You must complete: 1) An Arkansas State Police criminal background check, 2) An FBI criminal background check (which requires fingerprinting), and 3) An Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry check. Your hiring school district will provide the specific forms, instructions, and online portals to get through this process. You pay the fees unless the board of the hiring district chooses to pay them.
I have an out-of-state teaching license. Do I still need to meet these requirements?
A teaching license is not itself one of Arkansas's listed routes, but the bachelor's degree it requires meets the "associate's or higher degree" route. Confirm with the hiring district.
How long does it take to get certified?
The timeline varies by state and district and includes background check clearance. Ask your district or state education agency for the current steps.
How do I become a certified teacher after working as a paraprofessional in Arkansas?
If you have a bachelor's degree in a non-education field, you can pursue a Master's degree in teaching or enter an alternative route to licensure program like the Arkansas Professional Educator Pathway (ArPEP, formerly APPEL). If you have 60+ college credits, you can work toward completing your bachelor's in education. Your classroom experience is a major asset in all these pathways.
Can my school district pay for the ParaPathways test?
It depends on the district. Ask the district's HR office whether it pays or reimburses the test fee.
What happens if I don't pass the assessment?
ETS lets you retake ParaPathways once as soon as you like; if you need more attempts after that, you wait 21 days after your most recent one. You can register for just one subtest ($37.50 at home, $29.50 at a test center), but ask your district whether a subtest you already passed still counts. Use the time to study the subtest you missed.
Ready to Start Your Arkansas Paraprofessional Career?
Take practice tests and prepare for success on your assessment.