The CEC Paraeducator Academy is a comprehensive, interactive, three-level professional learning experience designed to support paraeducators, teachers, and school administrators as they work together to serve students with disabilities. This sequential program meets learners at varying entry points, while building toward advanced application.
CEC offers two delivery models to best meet your needs: on-demand access to the virtual content and in-person group training sessions.
Regardless of format, CEC recommends enrollment in all three levels to ensure exposure to and alignment with all national competencies for Special Education paraeducators, in additional to CEC’s 22 High-Leverage Practices (HLPs). Completion of the program will prepare participants for the upcoming CEC National Assessment for Paraeducators certification exam, scheduled for release in 2027.
Designed by national content expert Dr. Peggy Yates, the curriculum incorporates principles of adult learning theory and is structured around the engaging “CEC Playbook for Paraeducators” framework.
Program Structure
The program consists of three sequential levels, each of which is completed individually while building progressively toward advanced practice.
On-Demand: Each level is comprised of five interactive modules: four content-based learning modules and one culminating scenario-based, practice-oriented implementation module. In the first four modules, learners build knowledge and skills; in the fifth module, they demonstrate application proficiency.
In-Person: The same on-demand content is repackaged into three highly engaging in-person training sessions (one session per level), each intended to last a full day. If required, these sessions may be shorted into six, half-day training sessions.
ON-DEMAND PROGRAM INCLUDES:
✔ Flexibility to enroll in one level at a time or all three simultaneously for a discounted rate
✔ On-demand online access to the interactive modules associated with the level(s) of enrollment
✔ Six hours of on-demand training at each level
✔ Eligibility to take the forthcoming CEC National Assessment for Paraeducators certification exam for Level I-III completers
✔ Option to add-on a supplemental live virtual session with the program author, Dr. Peggy Yates, to reinforce implementation (purchased separately)
Completion of a level is required prior to booking a one-on-one session with Dr. Peggy Yates to review the corresponding content. Contact [email protected] for more details.
✔ Dedicated customer service available Monday through Friday, 8am to 5 pm EST via live chat, email, and phone
BEST FOR:
✔ Individual paraeducators seeking professional development
✔ Education leaders seeking to enroll a group of paraeducators in on-demand training
IN-PERSON PROGRAM INCLUDES:
✔ Bringing the expert to your educators for three full days of interactive, engaging training, with discounted rates available for consecutive days booked
✔ Bulk group discount rates for groups of 60+ participants
✔ Six hours of in-person training at each level
✔ Eligibility to take the forthcoming CEC National Assessment for Paraeducators certification exam
✔ Reference materials that participants can review ahead of the CEC National Assessment for Paraeducators certification exam
✔ Option to purchase access to online content for educators who were unable to attend in-person
✔ Dedicated customer service available Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm EST via live chat, email, and phone
BEST FOR:
✔ Education leaders seeking to enroll a group of paraeducators in a full-day in-person training
Looking to enroll a group in the Paraeducator Academy?
Submit an interest form for support and potential discounts.
Level I: Learn the Game (Approximately 6 hours)
Level I introduces paraeducators to the foundational knowledge and skills needed to support students in inclusive settings. Participants develop an understanding of their role within a collaborative team, key principles of special education, and basic instructional and behavior support strategies. Through structured modules, learners are introduced to High- Leverage Practices and begin applying foundational skills, such as supporting instruction, providing feedback, and reinforcing positive learning environments. This level builds confidence and prepares learners for deeper skill development.
Level I Module Descriptions
Step into the game plan and learn how strong teams support student success. In this course, you’ll explore the paraeducator role within Teacher–Paraeducator Teams (TPTs), focusing on clear communication, defined roles, and shared responsibility. You’ll also learn to effectively work under the direction of a supervising teacher, maintain appropriate boundaries, and follow ethical and legal guidelines that protect students and staff. By understanding both teamwork and professional limits, you’ll be equipped to support learning goals and help create a consistent, respectful environment where students can succeed.
Learn the playbook of special education, including disability categories, inclusion, and Specially Designed Instruction (SDI). You’ll break down accommodations vs. modifications, understand instructional plans, and collaborate with licensed professionals. Build your game-day skills by organizing materials, following the teacher’s plan, and running smooth routines. Most importantly, you’ll deliver strong support using High-Leverage Practices—always under the direction of the licensed professional—to help every student succeed.
Step into the action and learn how to support effective academic plays that drive student growth. You’ll break down formative and summative assessments, learn how IEP goals connect to daily instruction, and deliver feedback that moves students forward. Learn how to support accommodations, use assistive technology, and promote independence and executive functioning. You’ll also strengthen routines, monitor student learning, and maximize instructional time—all while delivering the teacher’s plan with precision.
Behavior is communication—every action is telling you something. In this course, you’ll learn how supporting classroom routines, systems, and the teacher are essential to strong student behavior. You’ll build your understanding of behavior basics, including Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) and the functions of behavior, and how to support the teaching of replacement behaviors under the direction of the licensed professional. Learn how to model expectations, reinforce routines, and support SEL, de-escalation, and trauma-informed practices. Every move is about consistency, teamwork, and executing the teacher’s plan to create a structured, supportive environment for all students.
This module brings together videos, activities, and multiple-choice questions to help you review what you have learned in a scenario-based implementation session.
Level II: Run the Plays (under the direction of a licensed teacher) (Approximately 6 hours)
Coming February 1, 2027
Level II builds on foundational knowledge by preparing paraeducators to actively support licensed teachers in instruction and student learning. Participants deepen their ability to interpret IEPs, collect and use data, and support communication within the instructional team. Through targeted modules, learners practice applying High-Leverage Practices to deliver explicit instruction, scaffold learning, and promote engagement. The implementation module provides opportunities to apply skills in scenario-based examples. This level emphasizes the transition from understanding to application.
Level II Module Descriptions
Great teams know how to read the field before the ball is snapped. In this course, you’ll learn the purpose of IEPs, student data collection, progress monitoring, and team communication within special education settings. You’ll build an understanding of how these systems guide instructional decision-making and support student success. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to put all of these strategies together to effectively assist the supervising teacher in supporting student learning, engagement, positive behavior, independence, and overall student success.
Now it’s time to put the game plan into action. In this course, you’ll learn the purpose behind evidence-based instructional practices, including explicit instruction, guided practice, intervention routines, prompting, scaffolding, and feedback. You’ll strengthen your understanding of how these strategies support student learning and independence while learning how to assist the supervising teacher with implementing instructional routines and supporting students during academic activities.
Student success depends on engagement, connection, and participation. In this course, you’ll learn the purpose of engagement strategies, relationship-building, culturally responsive supports, and participation techniques that help students remain connected to instruction. You’ll also learn how to assist the supervising teacher with maintaining routines, supporting student participation, encouraging independence, and reinforcing strategies that keep students actively involved in learning.
Strong classrooms are built through consistency, teamwork, and clear systems. In this course, you’ll learn the purpose of classroom expectations, reinforcement systems, behavior intervention plans, de-escalation strategies, and Positive Behavior Supports. You’ll develop an understanding of how these practices support positive learning environments while learning how to assist the supervising teacher with reinforcing routines, supporting behavior systems, responding consistently to challenges, and helping maintain a structured and supportive classroom environment.
This module brings together videos, activities, and multiple-choice questions to help you review what you have learned in a scenario-based implementation session.
Level III: Master the Playbook (under the direction of a licensed teacher) (Approximately 6 hours)
Coming July 6, 2027
Level III prepares paraeducators to integrate and apply advanced skills across instructional, behavioral, and engagement domains to actively support licensed teachers. Participants strengthen their ability to analyze data, make real-time instructional decisions, and adapt supports to meet diverse learner needs. Modules focus on refining High-Leverage Practices, including responding to complex behavior and coordinating supports across settings. The Championship Game Day implementation module requires participants to demonstrate mastery through simulation and performance-based tasks. This level emphasizes independence, precision, and integrated practice.
Level III Module Descriptions
Elite paraeducators learn to see the whole field. In this course, you’ll strengthen your understanding of student data, progress monitoring, learning patterns, and instructional decision-making within special education settings. Learn how to recognize student needs, monitor responses to instruction, and support instructional adjustments while staying aligned to the supervising teacher’s goals and instructional plan. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to put all of these strategies together to effectively assist the supervising teacher in supporting student learning, engagement, positive behavior, independence, and overall student success.
No two students learn exactly the same way—and strong paraeducators learn how to support diverse learners with flexibility and purpose. In this course, you’ll learn the purpose behind Specially Designed Instruction (SDI), instructional alignment, prompting, pacing, and precision teaching strategies that help students access instruction successfully. You’ll also learn how to assist the supervising teacher with adapting supports, responding to student needs in the moment, and maintaining instructional momentum while supporting high expectations for all learners.
Pressure moments happen in every classroom. In this course, you’ll learn the purpose behind function-based behavior supports, de-escalation strategies, and calm, consistent responses that help students successfully return to learning. Explore how behavior, communication, and environment work together to impact student success while learning how to assist the supervising teacher with supporting behavior plans, responding to escalation, and maintaining safe, respectful learning environments.
At this level, it all comes together. In this course, you’ll deepen your understanding of how instruction, engagement, communication, behavior support, and collaboration work together across a variety of learning environments. Learn how to assist the supervising teacher with promoting independence, supporting generalization of skills, reinforcing routines, providing feedback, and helping students successfully participate across settings throughout the school day.
This module brings together videos, activities, and multiple-choice questions to help you review what you have learned in a scenario-based implementation session.