New Jersey Paraprofessional Qualification Framework
The State of New Jersey adheres to high professional standards for all instructional aides and paraprofessionals assisting certified teachers in public school classrooms. In accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.3:
- Candidates must possess a High School Diploma or state-recognized GED.
- Candidates must satisfy at least one of the three statutory qualification pathways:
- ETS ParaPro Assessment: Earn a scaled passing score of 456 or higher.
- Postsecondary Coursework: Complete a minimum of 60 semester credit hours at an accredited college or university.
- Collegiate Degree: Hold an Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), or higher academic degree.
New Jersey County Approval Process & Major Districts
In New Jersey, hiring is managed at the local board of education level with county-level oversight:
- Executive County Superintendent Approval: Before employment begins, the hiring district submits the candidate's criminal history background clearance and 456+ ParaPro score report or college transcripts to the County Superintendent.
- Newark Public Schools: Employs hundreds of classroom instructional aides and bilingual paraprofessionals with district salary scales.
- Jersey City Public Schools & Paterson Public Schools: Prioritize candidates with ParaPro credentials for Title I elementary intervention positions.
- Toms River & Cherry Hill: Accept both Prometric in-person test scores and ProctorU at-home test scores.
Preparation Strategies to Achieve 456+ in New Jersey
A scaled score of 456 corresponds to approximately 60 correct answers out of 90 questions (~67%). Practice with our comprehensive test simulator:
Full 90-Q Diagnostic Simulator
Simulate the official 150-minute exam to evaluate whether you meet New Jersey's 456 cutoff.
Grammar Error Matrix
Master comma splice fixes, verb tenses, and subject-verb agreement for the Writing subtest.
Math Formula Cheat Sheet
Review essential arithmetic, fraction operations, and geometry formulas.
50-State Passing Scores Hub
Compare New Jersey's 456 benchmark against Pennsylvania (district-level) and Delaware (459).