Tulare County Office of Education

Instructional Aide Exam
No Child Left Behind Act

The No Child Left Behind Act was passed by Congress in January of 2001. This federal law requires that paraprofessionals who work in schools that are supported with Title I funds and provide instructional support in the classroom must be "highly qualified". This law defines "highly qualified" as having a high school diploma and one of the following:

completed two years of study (48 units) at an institution of higher education; or
obtained an associate's, bachelor's or master's degree; or
met a rigorous standard of quality and be able to demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment, knowledge of, and the ability to, assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics.

The Instructional Aide Assessment was designed to assess instructional aide candidates' knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics. Passage of the Instructional Aide Assessment will assist candidates for instructional aide positions in meeting the requirement to be "highly qualified."

California Education Code 45344.4 requires that no person shall be assigned to assist in instruction as an instructional aide unless the person has demonstrated proficiency in basic reading, writing and mathematics skills up to or exceeding that required for high school seniors in the local high schools.

Passage of this test will satisfy both the requirements of California Education Code as well as the federal No Child Left Behind legislation.

Test Taking Practice Websites

Need help studying for tests?
Visit the CODESP Links webpage and scroll down to the Test Taking Practice link.

COS Test Prep Classes

College of the Sequoias is now offering a one-credit test preparation class.
Read the flyer for more information.

Testing Schedule

October 22, 2008
- 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
  Elderwood Room, 7000 Doe Avenue, Visalia
  Print a map of the Doe Avenue complex.
November 19, 2008
- 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
  Elderwood Room, 7000 Doe Avenue, Visalia
  Print a map of the Doe Avenue complex.
January 13, 2009
- 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
  Elderwood Room, 7000 Doe Avenue, Visalia
  Print a map of the Doe Avenue complex.
February 10, 2009
- 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
  Elderwood Room, 7000 Doe Avenue, Visalia
  Print a map of the Doe Avenue complex.
March 10, 2009
- 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
  Elderwood Room, 7000 Doe Avenue, Visalia
  Print a map of the Doe Avenue complex.
April 14, 2009
- 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
  Elderwood Room, 7000 Doe Avenue, Visalia
  Print a map of the Doe Avenue complex.
May 12, 2009
- 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
  Elderwood Room, 7000 Doe Avenue, Visalia
  Print a map of the Doe Avenue complex.
June 9, 2009
- 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
  Elderwood Room, 7000 Doe Avenue, Visalia
  Print a map of the Doe Avenue complex.

Participants must arrive no later than 12:00 p.m. in order to be included in the testing. NO ONE WILL BE ADMITTED ONCE THE TESTING HAS BEGUN.

A picture I.D. must be presented on the day of the examination.

There is a $10 registration fee to take the test. The $10 fee is due a minimum of two days prior to taking the exam.

Payment can be made in person (exact cash or money order only - no personal checks) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday at least two days prior to your testing day. Register in person at:

Human Resources Department
Tulare County Office of Education
2637 W. Burrel Avenue
Visalia, CA 93291-4511
Print a map of the Burrel Avenue complex.

Payment can be made by mail (exact cash or money order only - no checks) using this form. Payment and the completed form must be received at least two days prior to your testing day. Print, complete, and mail the form with your $10 cash or money order payment to:

Tulare County Office of Education
Human Resources - NCLB Test
P.O. Box 5091
Visalia, CA 93278-5091

You are not registered until your $10 fee is received. Those registering by mail will receive a confirmation receipt by mail once the fee has been received and registration is complete.

If you are unable to participate in the exam on the day for which you registered, please notify the Human Resources Department by calling (559) 733-6306 as soon as possible. You may reschedule to a later date if notice is given prior to the originally scheduled exam.

Results will be mailed approximately three weeks after the exam. Please do not call for test results.

If you need a certificate re-issued, please complete the Replacement Certificate Request Form. There is a $5 fee (no personal checks accepted). Send the request and fee to the P.O. box listed on the form.

The registration form above requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print. You may download the freeware version by clicking on the Adobe icon to the right.

Please direct web site problems or comments to tcoeweb@tcoe.org.