Delaware Paraprofessional Requirements
A complete guide to paraprofessional qualification in the First State. Required assessments, qualifications, career pathways, and salary information.
Delaware Paraprofessional Quick Facts
Required Score
459 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
19
Regular school districts (NCES, 2021-22)
Background Check
Required
Fingerprint-based Delaware (State Bureau of Identification) and FBI criminal background check plus a Child Protection Registry check; TB test results within your first 15 working days. A Paraeducator Permit from the Delaware Department of Education is also required (valid 5 years).
Governing Body
Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) - requires a state Paraeducator Permit
Alternative Qualifications
- Associate's Degree (AA, AS) or higher from an institution accredited by an agency the U.S. Secretary of Education recognizes
- 60 semester hours (or 48, if your college defines two years that way), each course a C or better, no remedial courses
Annual Pay (Middle 50%)
Teaching assistants, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
Overview of Paraprofessional Qualifications in Delaware
To comply with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Delaware 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.
Delaware's Centralized Credentialing System
Delaware stands out for requiring a state-issued Paraeducator Permit from the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE). Unlike states where local districts set their own standards, Delaware applies uniform criteria across all 19 school districts and its charter school system. The DDOE manages this through the Delaware Educator Data System (DEEDS), the same online portal used to license teachers and administrators. This means your credential is portable across the state: if you qualify to work in the Appoquinimink School District, you're equally qualified in the Seaford School District.
Requirements for Paraprofessionals in Delaware
Every paraeducator in a Delaware public school needs a Paraeducator Permit from the DDOE. To get an Instructional Paraeducator Permit you need one of these: a high school diploma or equivalent plus passing ETS scores (ParaPathways 332 Reading and Writing and 334 Mathematics, or an earlier ParaPro 459); two years of college study; an associate degree or higher; a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certificate; or an Applied Behavior Analysis Technician (ABAT) certificate.
Three Pathways to Qualification
Option 1: Degree
Hold an associate's degree or higher (bachelor's, master's) from an accredited college or university.
- Have your college send an official transcript (electronic, or sealed paper). Your employer may also send it. Copies are not accepted.
- The transcript must clearly state that a degree was conferred
- The institution must be accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education
Option 2: College Credits
Complete at least 60 semester hours of coursework, or 48 if your college defines two years that way, at a college or university whose accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
- An official transcript is the only acceptable proof and must be submitted with your application
- Each course needs a grade of C or better. Remedial courses do not count.
Option 3: Assessment
Pass the ETS ParaPathways Assessment with 332 on Reading and Writing (5758) and 334 on Mathematics (5759). This is the only assessment accepted by the DDOE (a 459 on the retired ParaPro scale still counts if already earned). There are no local assessment alternatives in Delaware.
- 87 questions across two subtests: Reading & Writing (51) and Mathematics (36)
- 145 minutes in total: 85 minutes for Reading and Writing and 60 for Mathematics, timed separately
- Available at in-person testing centers and through at-home proctored testing
Additional Requirements
Beyond meeting one of the qualifications above, Delaware has these further requirements. Your employer requires the first three as conditions of employment, not of the permit:
- 1. Criminal History Background Check: Fingerprint-based Delaware and national criminal background check, completed by the State Bureau of Identification (SBI) and the FBI.
- 2. Child Protection Registry Check: A search of Delaware's Child Protection Registry for substantiated cases of child abuse or neglect, done together with the criminal background check.
- 3. Tuberculosis (TB) Test: Results from a TB test taken within the past 12 months, turned in during your first 15 working days of employment.
- 4. Official Transcripts or Test Scores (for the permit): Depending on your pathway, the DDOE needs either your official college transcripts or your ETS score report.
Who Needs a Paraeducator Permit in Delaware?
Every paraeducator in a Delaware public school needs a Paraeducator Permit, not only those in Title I schools. Instructional paraeducators need the Instructional permit. Staff who monitor halls, study halls, playgrounds or cafeterias need a Service permit, which requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Staff whose main job is behavior support outside the classroom need the Behavior Intervention permit. Bus aides do not need a permit.
Must Hold a Permit
- • Instructional Paraprofessionals: Aides providing academic support in reading, writing, and math, or support with functional skills such as personal care or assistive technology
- • Title I Paraprofessionals: Aides hired with Title I funds for targeted interventions
- • Special Education Paraprofessionals: Aides who support students with IEPs
- • Bilingual and ELL Paraprofessionals: Assistants who provide language and academic support
- • Service Paraeducators: Staff who monitor halls, study halls, playgrounds or cafeterias (Service permit)
- • Behavior Intervention Paraeducators: Staff whose main job is behavior support outside the classroom (Behavior Intervention permit)
Does Not Need a Permit
- • Bus Aides: Staff who supervise students on the bus
Delaware ParaPathways Score Details (332 and 334)
The passing scores of 332 on Reading and Writing (5758) and 334 on Mathematics (5759) are a firm, statewide standard. The ParaPathways test confirms that you have the academic skills needed to help with classroom instruction. It has two separately timed and scored subtests: Reading and Writing (5758), 51 questions in 85 minutes, and Mathematics (5759), 36 questions in 60 minutes. A 459 on the retired ParaPro scale still counts if already earned.
Reading: part of the Reading and Writing subtest (5758, about 30 of its 51 questions)
Skills Tested: This section measures your ability to understand and analyze written passages. You'll answer questions about main ideas, supporting details, vocabulary in context, and logical inferences.
Delaware Classroom Application: A paraprofessional in the Colonial School District might use these skills to help a small group of students read an article about the history of Old New Castle, guiding them to summarize the key events.
Writing: part of the Reading and Writing subtest (5758, about 21 of its 51 questions)
Skills Tested: This section evaluates your knowledge of standard English conventions, including grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, and spelling. It also tests your ability to help students during the writing process.
Delaware Classroom Application: An aide in the Caesar Rodney School District could use this expertise to help a student proofread an essay, pointing out grammatical errors and suggesting ways to sharpen sentence clarity.
Mathematics subtest (5759, 36 questions, calculator provided)
Skills Tested: This section covers operations with fractions, decimals, and percentages; basic algebra; geometry and measurement; and interpreting data from charts and graphs. The 36 questions split roughly evenly: about 18 on numbers and operations and 18 on geometry, measurement and data analysis. An on-screen calculator is provided.
Delaware Classroom Application: A paraprofessional in the Cape Henlopen School District might help students with a math project that involves calculating distances on a map of Delaware's beaches or reading a graph showing local tide patterns.
After the Test: The Delaware Permit Application Process
Passing ParaPathways (or confirming your degree or credits) is the first step. The next phase is applying for your state permit through the DDOE. Here's how the process works.
Step-by-Step Guide to Your Permit
- Step 1: Pass ParaPathways (or Confirm Credits/Degree). Get your official ETS score report or have your official college transcripts ready to go.
- Step 2: Create an Account in DEEDS. The Delaware Educator Data System is the DDOE's online portal for all educator credentialing. Set up a personal profile there.
- Step 3: You Can Apply Before You Have a Job. The DDOE accepts applications from people not yet employed, and you may apply for jobs while the permit is pending.
- Step 4: Complete the Background Checks. Delaware requires a fingerprint-based criminal background check and a Child Protection Registry check as a condition of employment. Ask your hiring district or charter school how to complete them.
- Step 5: Submit Your Application in DEEDS. Apply for the permit in DEEDS, then have your official transcripts or ETS scores sent to the Department (through your district or charter HR office if you are already employed).
- Step 6: Wait for Review and Issuance. The DDOE reviews your application and your official transcripts or scores. Ask the DDOE or your hiring district how you will be notified when the permit is issued.
If You Need to Retake ParaPathways
- Step 1: Check the ETS Retake Policy. ETS lets you retake the test once as soon as you like. After that, you wait 21 days after your most recent attempt, and then you can take it two more times.
- Step 2: Review Your Score Report. Your report shows a separate score for each subtest, with your raw points in each content category. Focus your study time on the subtest you did not pass.
- Step 3: Use Targeted Study Materials. Spend time on practice questions specific to your weak spots. Even a few weeks of focused review can make a real difference.
- Step 4: Register for Your Retake. When you're ready, and after any required 21-day wait, sign up again through ETS for either at-home or in-person testing. You can register for one subtest alone ($37.50 at home, $29.50 at a test center), but ask the DDOE whether a subtest you already passed still counts.
Preparing for the ParaPathways Assessment in Delaware
How much study time you need depends on where you're starting. If you've recently been in school, a couple of weeks might be enough. If it's been a while since you've worked with formal math or writing, give yourself more time. There's no downside to extra preparation.
Recommended Study Timelines
Quick Refresher
Good if you finished college coursework recently or already feel solid in reading, writing, and math. Take a couple of practice tests and zero in on any weak areas.
Solid Preparation
The right amount of time for most people. You can work through a study guide, take practice tests, and revisit rusty topics without feeling pressured.
In-Depth Review
If you've been away from academics for years, or if math and grammar feel unfamiliar, give yourself this extra time. The confidence boost alone is worth it on test day.
Free Study Resources
- ETS ParaPathways Study Companion: The official ETS guide includes test structure details and sample questions. This should be your starting point. When you register, ETS also gives you a free interactive practice test for the subject you register for.
- Khan Academy: Great for brushing up on math, from basic arithmetic through algebra and geometry. It's free, self-paced, and covers exactly the math topics on the ParaPathways.
- Delaware Public Libraries: Your Delaware library card gives you access to databases like LearningExpress Library, which has paraprofessional test practice and skill-building lessons. Make sure any practice test you use covers ParaPathways. Check your county library's website for access.
- Online practice tests: Several test-prep sites offer free paraprofessional practice questions in reading, writing, and math. Make sure they cover both ParaPathways subtests.
Paid Study Options
You don't have to spend money to pass, but some people like the structure of a paid resource. These are the most common options:
- Paraprofessional test-prep books ($20-40): Available on Amazon or through local bookstores. Make sure they cover ParaPathways, not only the retired ParaPro.
- Online prep courses ($50-150): These typically include video lessons, quizzes, and full-length practice tests. Helpful if you learn better with guided instruction.
- Video tutorial packages: Some test prep companies sell video bundles focused on specific subjects. These work well if reading-heavy materials aren't your preferred learning style.
Delaware-Specific Tip
Since the Delaware regulation names only the ETS assessment (now ParaPathways) as its test, any ParaPathways study material will be directly relevant. Unlike states with local exams, you don't need to track down a district-specific guide. Focus on the official ETS Study Companion and practice with full-length tests to build stamina for the two subtests, 145 minutes in total.
Test Day: What to Expect in Delaware
Knowing what to expect removes a lot of test-day stress. Here's a breakdown so you can walk in (or log on, for at-home testing) feeling ready.
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 email or letter from ETS or the testing center.
Testing rooms can run cold. A light jacket or sweater lets you adjust 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. You'll put your phone, bag, and other belongings in a designated area.
- 3 Take your assigned seat. The proctor will direct you to your spot and review the testing rules before the timer starts.
Tips for During the Test
Watch your time
Don't spend too long on any one question. If you're stuck, mark it and move on. You can come back later if time allows.
Read carefully
Many wrong answers come from misreading. Pay close attention to words like "not," "except," and "best." They completely change the meaning of the question.
Eliminate wrong answers
On multiple-choice questions, 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 is running out, fill in your best guess for every remaining question.
About At-Home Testing in Delaware
Delaware candidates can take the ETS paraprofessional assessment through ETS's at-home proctoring option. You'll need a computer with a webcam, a stable internet connection, and a quiet private room. The test content and scoring are identical to the in-person version. ETS decides where its current assessment is offered, so check its test-center locator.
Paraprofessional Salary and Employment in Delaware
Pay varies by district; check the salary schedule the district posts.
Middle 50% of Earners
Top 10% Earn
How Pay Is Set
Pay varies by district; check the salary schedule the district posts.
Typical Benefits Package
High-Demand Roles in Delaware
Special Education Paraprofessionals: Aides who work with students with special needs.
Bilingual (Spanish/English) Paraprofessionals: High demand in parts of New Castle and Sussex counties where Spanish-speaking families are concentrated.
Early Childhood Paraprofessionals: Aides with experience in Pre-K and Kindergarten settings are always valued.
Delaware 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.
Testing Options in Delaware
- In-person testing locations are set by ETS, so use its test-center locator to find sites near you
- Fees: $75 at home or $59 at a test center for both subtests, or $37.50 / $29.50 for either subtest alone
- At-home testing through ETS is available for those who prefer remote proctoring
How to Register for an Assessment in Delaware
Registration is straightforward, with both at-home and in-person options available.
At-Home Testing (Most Flexible)
ETS offers a live, remotely proctored version of ParaPathways. Register directly through the ETS website and pick a date and time that works for you.
You'll need a computer with a webcam that meets the technical specs, a stable internet connection, and a quiet private room.
In-Person Testing Centers
Use ETS's test-center locator to find in-person sites near you. ETS decides which centers offer ParaPathways.
Register and pay through ETS. Some test centers may charge an additional proctoring fee, so check with the center before test day.
Prepare Your Documents
Check the identification ETS accepts before test day. After you pass, you'll need your official ETS score report for the DEEDS permit application.
If you're using the college credits pathway instead, make sure your official transcripts are ordered and ready to submit.
Pathway to Teaching in Delaware
Delaware invests heavily in developing its own educators. If you already have a bachelor's degree, the Delaware Alternative Routes to Certification (ARTC) program lets you earn your teaching certificate while working. Your classroom experience as a paraprofessional makes you a strong candidate.
The state funds a Grow Your Own Educator Program, including a para-to-teacher pathway, through low-cost or no-cost preparation programs. Ask your district whether it takes part.
Frequently Asked Questions - Delaware Paraprofessionals
What is DEEDS?
The Delaware Educator Data System (DEEDS) is the official online portal run by the Delaware Department of Education. It handles educator licensing and credentialing in the state, including the Paraeducator Permit. You must create a DEEDS account to apply for your permit.
How long is the Paraeducator Permit valid, and how do I renew it?
The permit is issued for 5 years. To renew it for another 5 years, you complete 15 clock hours of approved professional development during the permit's term and apply for renewal before it expires.
Is my Delaware Paraeducator Permit valid in other states?
No. The permit is specific to Delaware. That said, the qualifications you used to earn it (your ParaPathways scores, an earlier ParaPro score, or your college credits) are often transferable and can help you meet requirements in other states like Maryland, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey.
What is the Child Protection Registry check?
This is a search of Delaware's Child Protection Registry, run by the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF), for substantiated cases of child abuse or neglect. Some registry entries bar school employment for a set period; for others, the school decides whether the person is suitable. It is done together with the criminal background check.
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.
Can I work while completing my certification?
Some districts allow provisional or probationary employment while you complete requirements, but this varies by district policy.
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 Delaware Paraprofessional Career?
Take practice tests and prepare for success on your assessment.