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Over the past several years, several school districts throughout the state have witnessed an increase in the number of students identified
for special education services, while there has been a marked decrease in the number of candidates applying for special education teaching
positions. The primary purpose of PTAP is to identify potential Auburn Washburn paraeducators and to assist them with their college tuition
so that they will be eventually hired as special education teachers in USD #437. The PTAP components may include seminars, financial support
(in the form of a forgivable loan), work experiences, mentor support and assistance with job placement upon successful completion of all
requirements for teacher licensure.
Applicants must submit a completed application packet prior to the established deadline in order to be considered.
The Auburn Washburn Paraeducator Tuition Assistance Program began in 2007 when a strategy to deal with the growing demand for special
education teachers was developed. In the summer of 2008, the Board of Education approved the 2008-2009 Classified Handbook (page 11), which
included new information regarding the possibility of financial assistance for selected paraeducators who wish to become a special education
teacher.
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Be a high school graduate (or equivalent) and/or meet the eligibility requirements for admission to an accredited
college of education.
- Have a high school or college GPA of 2.5 and meet university GPA requirements.
- Demonstrate an aptitude for entering teacher education by meeting university eligibility set requirements
- Demonstrate good verbal and written communication skills
- Actively participate in ALL required in-district educational training activities.
- Complete his/her student teaching with the Auburn Washburn School District.
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Sign a Statement of Commitment and Intent to teach full or part-time in the Auburn Washburn School District in his/her
area of licensure, beginning with the first full semester immediately following graduation, OR to repay the
entire amount of the loan received from the Paraeducator Tuition Assistance Program if the participant fails to complete the requirements
for a degree in education, fails to earn/receive favorable reports from cooperating teachers during the teaching block, fails to receive
a university recommendation for teacher licensure, fails to obtain teacher licensure, or fails to teach full-time in his/her area of
licensure with USD #437. In the event that a participant fulfills a portion of the teaching commitment, but not all of the commitment,
the participant will be required to pay a pro-rated amount of the PTAP forgivable loan.
- Sign an Attestation of Eligibility to meet State of Kansas requirements for teacher licensure.
Participants must:
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Be consecutively enrolled in at least 6 credit hours per semester in an undergraduate program leading to teacher licensure at an
accredited college in Kansas.
- Maintain a grade point average of 2.5 or better.
- Actively participate in ALL seminars and workshops.
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Sign a Statement of Commitment and Intent to teach full-time, in his/her area of licensure, with the Auburn Washburn School District.
- Sign an annual Attestation of Eligibility to meet State of Kansas requirements for teacher licensure.
The Paraeducator Tuition Assistance Program is governed by the Director of Special Service and the Director of Human Resources. Their
responsibility is to review the applications and select individuals for tuition assistance that have been recommended by the building
principals and by those special education teachers who have extensive knowledge of their ability to work with students who have special
needs.
The Paraeducator Tuition Assistance Program is locally funded. It is designed to provide financial assistance in the form of forgivable loans
to outstanding Auburn Washburn paraeducators.
The PTAP Program provides participants with a comprehensive support system including but not limited to retreats, seminars, and workshops on
goal setting, study skills, test- taking, communication skills, and college survival techniques.
Based on the signed Statement of Commitment and Intent to teach, each participant is obligated to begin teaching full-time, in his/her area of
licensure, with the Auburn Washburn School District the first semester immediately following graduation and continuing for a period of three
consecutive years. Participants involved in the program for less than four years will have a pro-rated teaching obligation. If a position is
not available, then the individual will not be required to remain as a paraeducator until a vacancy occurs. If a position is available, and
the candidate is not selected for the position, then the individual is released to pursue other educational opportunities outside of USD #437.
Applications are available below. It is the direct responsibility of the applicant to make certain all components of the application
package are received by the deadline, whether sent online, delivered by the applicant, U.S. mail or other means.
 PTAP
Application (PDF)
Failure to meet any of these obligations may be cause for participants to be removed from the program, at which time the total
amount of the PTAP forgivable loan funds expended on behalf of the participant must be repaid.
For additional information contact:
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