Educational Assistants provide paraprofessional support in one of the following ways:Independently performs various academic, instruction-related support activities, tutors students in a specified aspect of knowledge as directed by the teacher, and observes and reports on student progress and difficulties. Independently provides social, vocational, and daily living instruction to students with disabilities in a school and/or community setting to enable them to function as independently as possible. Observes and reports on student progress and difficulties and makes suggestions to modify techniques and tasks based on prior experience. Independently performs assigned counseling support activities. Develops rapport with students, encourages them to express their problems, observes and reports on student progress and difficulties, and carries out pre-approved activities with students which promote a healthy self-concept, develop social skills, and help provide early identification of special needs. Independently provides articulation reinforcement lessons and repetitive drills to correct/improve speech sounds as instructed and guided by the speech pathologist. May receive training related to common speech/language disorders and problems and the methods and techniques used in speech therapy to correct them. Minimum Qualifications Education Requirements: Graduation from high school or equivalent and one of the following, as described by the Federal Government's No Child Left Behind Act of 2001:Successful completion of an examination approved by the Hawaii State Department of Education (Department), such as the Para. Pro or Para. Pathways Assessment provided by the Education Testing Service (ETS). At least 48 baccalaureate-level semester credits from an accredited institution recognized by the Department, which included 3 credits in mathematics and 3 credits in English. An associate degree or higher from an accredited institution recognized by the Department. Experience Requirements: Except for the substitutions provided for in this specification, applicants must have had the kind, quality, and amount of experience described below:Class Title. General Experience (years - )Specialized Experience (years - )Educational Assistant I 00 Educational Assistant II 10 Educational Assistant III 11 - One (1) year of experience is defined as a school year, which is approximately 180 instructional days in Hawaii. General Experience: Paid or volunteer experience which involved direct interaction with people and demonstrated the ability to provide and elicit information, observe, evaluate and take action or report accurately on different situations. Examples include serving on school or community committees, advising youth groups, or participating in parent/teacher/student meetings and activities. Specialized Experience: Work experience providing direct academic, personal, social, vocational development, or behavioral services to children, students, and/or individuals with disabilities, preferably in an educational setting supporting professional staff. Substitutions Allowed:Possession of a Child Development Associate credential, or completion of a related program from an accredited institution recognized by the Department or an approved community organization may substitute for one-half (1/2) year of Specialized Experience. Successful completion of 15 baccalaureate-level semester credits from an accredited institution recognized by the Department may substitute for one-half (1/2) year of General Experience up to a maximum of one (1) year. Successful completion of 15 baccalaureate-level semester credits in Education or closely related field from an accredited institution recognized by the Department may substitute for one-half (1/2) year of Specialized Experience up to a maximum of two (2) years. Possession of an associate degree from an accredited institution recognized by the Department may substitute for one (1) year of General Experience. Possession of an associate degree in Education or closely related field from an accredited institution recognized by the Department may substitute for all General and Specialized Experience. Possession of a bachelor degree or higher from an accredited institution recognized by the Department may substitute for all General and Specialized Experience. For high school graduates from a Department school, each of the following may substitute for one (1) year of Specialized Experience up to a maximum of two (2) years:a. Completion of the Level 4 course in either the Teaching As a Profession (TAP) or Learning Support Professionals (LSP) program.b. Possession of one (1) credit for relevant work-based learning (internship, fieldwork, etc.) through the TAP or LSP programs .. Excess Specialized Experience may be substituted for the General Experience. Quality of Experience: Possession of the required number of years of experience will not in itself be accepted as proof of qualification for a position. The applicant's overall experience must have been of such scope and level of responsibility as to conclusively demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of the position.