DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Professional Standards Board

1524 Classroom Aide Permit

1.0 Content

This regulation provides the qualifications and training required for an individual to be issued and to renew a Classroom Aide Permit pursuant to14Del.C.§§1204(a) and 1216A(a)(1). Individuals who qualify for a Paraeducator Permit may not apply for a Classroom Aide Permit.

2.0 Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning:

"Activity Documentation Form" means the official form approved by the Department that includes specific details about the activity to be used for Classroom Aide Permit renewal.

"Classroom aide" means a public-school employee who supports teachers by assisting students with activities and daily tasks.

"Clock hour" means actual time spent in professional development, not credit hours.

"Department" means the Delaware Department of Education.

"Employing authority" means any entity which employs educators, and includes school districts, charter schools, boards of directors, and management companies.

"Immorality" means conduct which is inconsistent with the rules and principles of morality expected of a classroom aide and may reasonably be found to impair a classroom aide’s effectiveness by reason of the classroom aide’s unfitness or otherwise.

"Permit" means a document issued by the Department that verifies an individual’s qualifications and training to serve as an instructional or service classroom aide.

"Professional Development" means a combination of focused, in-depth learning, practice, feedback, reflection, and expert support experiences designed to change participants’ attitudes, insights and perspectives and ultimately results in improved professional practice.

"Secretary" means the Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education.

"Standards Board" means the Professional Standards Board pursuant to 14Del.C.Ch. 12.

3.0 Scope of Work

1. 3.1 A classroom aide may work with individuals or small groups and provide additional assistance based on student needs.
2. 3.2 A classroom aide may not be utilized to provide Individualized Education Plan related special education services and may not fill the role of a paraeducator. Individuals who qualify for a Paraeducator Permit must hold a Paraeducator Permit.

4.0 Requirements for a Classroom Aide Permit

1. 4.1 In order to practice as a classroom aide in a Delaware public school, an individual must hold a Classroom Aide Permit.

2. 4.2 The Department may issue a Classroom Aide Permit to an applicant who has satisfied 1 of the following requirements:

   1. 4.2.1 The applicant holds a State of Delaware Diploma of Alternate Achievement Standards or a Certificate of Performance awarded before March 1, 2019; or
   2. 4.2.2 The applicant holds the equivalent of a State of Delaware Diploma of Alternate Achievement Standards from another state or jurisdiction.

5.0 Requirements for Reissuance of an Expired Delaware Classroom Aide Permit

1. 5.1 The Department may reissue a Classroom Aide Permit to an applicant who meets both of the following requirements:

   1. 5.1.1 The applicant must have previously held a Delaware Classroom Aide Permit that expired prior to the date of the application; and
   2. 5.1.2 The applicant must have completed 15 clock hours of professional development within 5 years prior to the date of the application.

6.0 Application Requirements for Issuance of a Classroom Aide Permit

1. 6.1 Applicants for a Classroom Aide Permit are required to provide the following for the Department to consider their Classroom Aide Permit complete:

   1. 6.1.1 A completed initial application; and
   2. 6.1.2 Disclosure of the applicant’s criminal conviction history; and
   3. 6.1.3 Proof the applicant holds a State of Delaware Diploma of Alternate Achievement Standards, a Certificate of Performance, or an equivalent credential from another state or jurisdiction; and

   4. 6.1.4 Official transcript from the applicant’s secondary institution, if applicable.

      1. 6.1.4.1 The Department will accept: electronic transcripts submitted by the employing authority or by the applicant’s secondary institution or sealed paper transcripts.
      2. 6.1.4.2 The Department will not accept copies of transcripts.
   5. 6.1.5 Additional documentation as required by the Department.

2. 6.2 Applicants for a renewal of a Classroom Aide Permit must submit:

   1. 6.2.1 A completed renewal application prior to the expiration date; and
   2. 6.2.2 Documentation to verify participation in and completion of professional development activities if required by the Department; and
   3. 6.2.3 Additional documentation as required by the Department.

3. 6.3 The Department will not process an initial or renewal application for a Classroom Aide Permit:

   1. 6.3.1 Until the applicant has submitted all the required documentation. If the applicant fails to submit all the required documentation within 90 days of their initial submission, the Department may close the application taking no further action; or
   2. 6.3.2 If the applicant is under official investigation by any national, state, or local authority with the power to issue educator permits, licenses, or certifications.

7.0 Professional Development Activity Requirements for Renewal of a Classroom Aide Permit

1. 7.1 The Department uses the following criteria to determine if a professional development or professional learning activity is acceptable for clock hour credit:

   1. 7.1.1 The activity must be 1 of the renewal activities listed in the chart in Section 8.0 of this regulation; and
   2. 7.1.2 The activity must be completed during the term of the classroom aide’s current Classroom Aide Permit; and
   3. 7.1.3 Completion of the activity must be documented; and
   4. 7.1.4 The activity must enhance the classroom aide’s understandings and abilities in the classroom aide’s job.
2. 7.2 The classroom aide is responsible for obtaining approval from the classroom aide’s employing authority before participating in a professional development or professional learning activity.
3. 7.3 The classroom aide is responsible for obtaining documentation as detailed in the chart in Section 8.0 of this regulation of the classroom aide’s participation in and completion of a professional development or professional learning activity from the individual, school or school district, or other entity that organizes and conducts the activity.

4. 7.4 Activities for which classroom aides receive compensation may be submitted in fulfillment of the 15-clock hour requirement for renewal.

   1. 7.4.1 Each activity must be verified by the applicant’s employing authority as provided in Section 8.0 of this regulation. Even if an activity has been verified by the applicant’s employing authority, the Department ultimately determines whether an activity satisfies the requirements for renewal of a Classroom Aide Permit according to Section 8.0 of this regulation.
   2. 7.4.2 If, at the time of application, the applicant is not employed by an employing authority in Delaware, the applicant must submit the documentation required to verify the applicant’s participation in and completion of each activity to the Department as provided in Section 8.0 of this regulation.

8.0 Professional Development and Professional Learning Activities for Renewal of a Classroom Aide Permit

9.0 Validity of a Classroom Aide Permit

For an applicant who applied for and met the requirements of the Classroom Aide Permit, the permit will be issued for a period of 5 years and may be renewed for additional 5-year periods.

10.0 Disciplinary Action

1. 10.1 A classroom aide’s Classroom Aide Permit may be revoked, suspended, or limited for cause as provided in14DE Admin. Code1514Limitation, Suspension, and Revocation of Licenses, Certificates, and Permits.
2. 10.2 A classroom aide’s Classroom Aide Permit shall be revoked if the classroom aide made a materially false or misleading statement in the classroom aide’s application in accordance with14Del.C.§1218.
3. 10.3 A classroom aide whose Classroom Aide Permit is noticed for disciplinary action is entitle to a full and fair hearing before the Standards Board. Hearings shall be conducted in accordance with14DE Admin. Code1515Hearing Procedures and Rules.

11.0 Contact Information and Change of Name or Address

1. 11.1 All applicants and classroom aides are required to update their contact information in Delaware Educator Date System (DEEDS) if their contact information changes.
2. 11.2 A classroom aide who legally changes the classroom aide’s name and wishes to change the name on the Classroom Aide Permit shall provide a notarized copy of evidence of the name change such as a marriage license or court action.
3. 11.3 An applicant or classroom aide whose mailing address, email address, or phone number changes, shall provide the Department with the new mailing address, email address, or phone number within 14 calendar days of the change.

29 DE Reg. 602 (01/01/26)