All instructional paraprofessionals must meet one (1) of the following qualification requirements prior to employment:
60 semester hours (two years) of study at an accredited institution; or
An associate’s degree or higher; or
Successful completion of an approved paraeducator assessment.
South Carolina accepts the following paraeducator assessments developed by Educational Testing Service (ETS):
ParaPathways (effective September 1, 2025)
Passing scores required in Reading & Writing and Mathematics
ParaPro Assessment (accepted through August 31, 2026)
Minimum passing score: 456
Purpose Statement:
The purpose of the Special Education Teacher Assistant position is to assist the classroom teacher in implementing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and providing support to students with disabilities in alignment with the instructional goals of the school.
General Statement of Job:
Reports to: Teacher, Principal/Administrator, and Executive Director of Special Services.
Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provision of the Board’s policy.
Job Requirements:
The following credentials are required for this position:
Be of good character
Ability to work with others
Ability to accept individual differences among children
Good physical and mental health
CPR certification
Ability to pass the Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) requirements and to utilize the procedures under the direction of the teacher
Ability to handle unforeseen situation in accordance with policy
Physically able to lift and move students when necessary
Ability to assist students boarding and departing from school buses
Ability to serve as a bus assistant for transportation to and from school and on activities
Ability to obtain Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to drive a school bus, if necessary
Responsibilities:
Support the supervision and instruction of students with disabilities under the guidance of the classroom teacher
Assist students with personal care needs including dressing, feeding, toileting, and hygiene
Supervise/monitor students during lunch, assemblies, related arts, field trips, mainstream classes, recess, etc. as deemed appropriate by the teacher
Support the implementation of students’ IEP goals
Assist with academic instruction by supervising or providing small group instruction under supervision of teacher
Assist with student seatwork and classroom activities
Support classroom preparation and organization (e.g., copying, filing, materials)
Maintain confidentiality regarding student information and records
Assist with behavior support and discipline strategies under teacher supervision
Support documentation of student progress and maintenance of individual records
Guiding students in developing positive relationships with peers and adults
Assist substitute teachers in the absence of the regular teacher
Perform other related duties as assigned by the teacher or school administrator
Other Responsibilities: This role may include tasks that require physical exertion, including lifting or assisting students, as well as certain medical tasks such as catheterization, tracheostomy care, or tube feeding (with proper training and delegation).
Additional Duties:
Performs related duties as required.
Minimum Education and Training:
A 2-year associate degree, or 60 semester hours of college course work, or taken and passed the ParaPro Assessment; or a 4-year degree
Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to lift, carry, push and/or pull items with a strength factor of medium; hear and speak to exchange information in person and on the telephone; see to read a variety of materials; possess dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard; stand, walk, run and climb as required; bend at the waist, kneel or crouch to file materials.
Data Conception:
Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
Interpersonal Communication:
Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving assignments and/or directions to subordinates and receiving assignments and/or direction from supervisor.
Language Ability:
Requires the ability to read a variety of policy and procedures manuals. Requires the ability to prepare routine reports and records, performance appraisals, memos, etc., with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control and confidence.
Intelligence:
Requires the ability to apply rational systems to solve practical problems, and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists, and to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic or schedule form. Requires the ability to apply influence systems in managing a staff, to learn and understand principles and techniques, to make independent judgments in absence of supervision, and to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information.
Verbal Aptitude:
Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow and give verbal and written instructions, and to counsel and teach students. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with persons of varying educational backgrounds.
Numerical Aptitude:
Requires the ability to add and subtract totals, to multiply and divide, to determine percentages and decimals, and to determine time. Must be able to use practical applications of fractions, percentages, ratio and proportion.
Form/Spatial Aptitude:
Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape, and visually read various information.
Motor Coordination:
Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes using office machinery, and to operate motor vehicles.
Manual Dexterity:
Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
Color Discrimination:
Does not require the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color.
Interpersonal Temperament:
Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency situations or tight deadlines.
Physical Communication:
Requires the ability to talk and/or hear with talking defined as expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words and hearing being defined as perceiving nature of sounds by ear.
Work Environment:
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
All candidates must be able to pass an extensive background investigation before being hired.
The School District of Pickens County does not discriminate for reasons of age, race, sex, handicap, national origin, or religion in its communications with students, employees, the community, applicants for employment, events, or for access to its services.
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Approved Assessments