These paraprofessionals help classroom teachers to free up more time for teaching. They record grades, mark test papers, check homework, tutor children, and supervise students at recess or in the cafeteria. A high school diploma is sufficient for non-teaching aides, but most employers prefer an associate's degree in Teacher Aide Studies for those who teach. Many certified teachers work as aides while awaiting full-time teaching positions. Advancement is in the form of higher earnings and increased responsibility.
Some school districts provide release time for college training.
Aides who earn bachelor's degrees may become certified teachers. The career outlook for this field is good. Employment of teacher aides is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005. The increasing number of special education classes, restructuring of schools, and the rising number of students who speak English as a second language will spur rapid growth of teacher aides. Job openings also will arise as workers transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force for family responsibilities, to return to school, or for other reasons characteristic of occupations that require limited formal education and offer relatively low pay.