CHAPTER 1 STAFF TRAINING

WHEREAS, the teachers and paraprofessionals of Chapter 1 programs across the country continue to bring about significant improvements in the math and reading skills of educationally disadvantaged students through their dedication and commitment to the goals of Chapter 1; and

WHEREAS, Chapter 1 funding, due to the work of the AFT and its allies, now exceeds $6 billion and is the only federal education program whose growth has exceeded the rate of inflation; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Education states that in order to achieve the recommended mastery of higher-level skills for students, Chapter 1 programs will require more qualified personnel. Some districts have misinterpreted this guideline to justify the replacement of paraprofessionals with certificated staff, even though the department has indicated that the intent is for districts to provide additional training opportunities for current staff (teachers and paraprofessionals); and

WHEREAS, many district programs are serving more students with fewer staff, and paraprofessionals are willingly taking on new tasks for which they may not have received ample training; and

WHEREAS, if districts take full advantage of new monies and the training provisions of Chapter 1 regulations and provide thorough, ongoing staff development for all staff, they can build on the success of Chapter 1 and ensure better trained personnel; and

WHEREAS, targeting new funds for training will not detract from existing programs that benefit students but, rather, will serve to improve those programs:

RESOLVED, that AFT work with local affiliates to ensure that school districts channel funds to fully implement the training mandates of Chapter I regulations; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT encourage the Department of Education to develop policies that require school districts to implement programs for Chapter I staff.