You asked several questions about paraprofessionals in Connecticut public schools. The questions and answers follow. Many of the figures in this report come from a comprehensive 2006 study on paraprofessionals by the Program Review and Investigation Committee (PRI). In that study, PRI surveyed all school districts in the state and received responses from 119. The full study is available on PRI's website.

The State Department of Education (SDE) annually tracks the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) paraprofessionals. But for most of the questions you posed, the PRI study has the most recent information available.

How many paraprofessionals work in Connecticut public schools?

In the 2009-2010 school year there were approximately 14,610 FTE non-certified instructional staff positions in Connecticut public schools, according to SDE. While these staff members are commonly known as paraprofessionals, they may have other job titles such as paraeducator, library aide, or teaching assistant. Individual school districts reported the number of FTE staff to SDE. Typically, full-time paraprofessionals work 30 to 37.5 hours per week (see below).

Table 1 below shows the number of non-certified instructional staff in major instructional categories.

Table 1: Non-Certified Instructional Staff in Connecticut Public Schools, 2009-2010

Source: SDE

How many hours do paraprofessionals work?

The number of hours FTE staff work varies. PRI's 2006 study indicated that full-time paraprofessionals worked a median of 32.5 hours per week, and part-time paraprofessionals worked a median of 19-19.5 hours per week.

Table 2: Hours Worked by Paraprofessionals by School Level

Source: PRI, School Paraprofessionals, December 2006, p. 17

How many paraprofessionals receive health benefits?

There is no definitive information available regarding the number of paraprofessionals who receive health benefits through their employment. As of 2006, 90% of responding school districts offered health benefits, 82% offered dental benefits and 72% offered retirement benefits (PRI, School Paraprofessionals, December 2006, p. 21). These numbers reflect the number of districts where benefits are available, not the number of paraprofessionals actually participating in the benefit programs. Paraprofessionals have relatively low incomes, and many choose not to participate in benefit programs that require an employee contribution.

How many paraprofessionals are unionized?

Paraprofessionals had union representation in 85% of the responding school districts (PRI, School Paraprofessionals, December 2006, p. 21). Union representatives report that they have organized additional groups of paraprofessionals in recent years, so that figure may be a little higher today.

ES:df