About Project PARA
Preparing Paraprofessionals.
Strengthening Schools.
Supporting Students.
Project PARA provides accessible, affordable training for paraprofessionals working with students with disabilities, helping them build the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful difference in the classroom.
Why Project PARA Matters
Well-Prepared Paraprofessionals Make a Lasting Difference.
Give paraprofessionals the tools and support to make a lasting difference in the classroom.
Paraprofessionals play an essential role in classrooms across North Dakota. They work alongside teachers, provide individualized support, and help students with disabilities participate and succeed at school.
Project PARA helps meet the need for consistent, high-quality training with an accessible online program that schools and districts can offer to their paraprofessionals—wherever they work.
What Project PARA Provides
Certification
Pathway
Accessible Online Training
A comprehensive program of 53 lessons that build knowledge and practical skills to support work in special education.
Affordable Professional Development
At $50 per paraprofessional, Project PARA gives schools and districts an economical way to invest in their support staff.
A Pathway to Certification
Training fulfills requirements for the North Dakota Special Education Paraprofessional Certificate, issued by NDDPI.
Opportunities for Career Growth
A strong foundation for continued learning, credentials, and future opportunities in special education.
Our Story: Part of a Bigger Vision
Project PARA is part of Project PIPELINE, a North Dakota effort to build connected pathways into special education. The partnership began in 2022 with Minot State University, Dakota College at Bottineau, and Certification Central, with support from the Bush Foundation.
In 2025, the partners received new support to expand the pathway—from high school career exploration and paraprofessional training to teacher licensure and leadership preparation. Project PARA helps make that vision accessible to the paraprofessionals already supporting students every day.
Certification
(Project PARA)
Technician
(Entry Role)
Education Teacher
& Leadership
Our Commitment
Project PARA reflects a commitment to strengthening special education from the ground up. We make high-quality training accessible and affordable, help schools invest in the paraprofessionals they already depend on, and create opportunities for continued growth.
When we invest in paraprofessionals, we invest in the students and communities they serve.
About Project PARA
Preparing Paraprofessionals.
Strengthening Schools.
Supporting Students.
Project PARA provides accessible, affordable training for paraprofessionals working with students with disabilities, helping them build the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful difference in the classroom.
Why Project PARA Matters
Well-Prepared Paraprofessionals Make a Lasting Difference.
Give paraprofessionals the tools and support to make a lasting difference in the classroom.
Paraprofessionals play an essential role in classrooms across North Dakota. They work alongside teachers, provide individualized support, and help students with disabilities participate and succeed at school.
Project PARA helps meet the need for consistent, high-quality training with an accessible online program that schools and districts can offer to their paraprofessionals—wherever they work.
What Project PARA Provides
Certification
Pathway
Accessible Online Training
A comprehensive program of 53 lessons that build knowledge and practical skills to support work in special education.
Affordable Professional Development
At $50 per paraprofessional, Project PARA gives schools and districts an economical way to invest in their support staff.
A Pathway to Certification
Training fulfills requirements for the North Dakota Special Education Paraprofessional Certificate, issued by NDDPI.
Opportunities for Career Growth
A strong foundation for continued learning, credentials, and future opportunities in special education.
Our Story: Part of a Bigger Vision
Project PARA is part of Project PIPELINE, a North Dakota effort to build connected pathways into special education. The partnership began in 2022 with Minot State University, Dakota College at Bottineau, and Certification Central, with support from the Bush Foundation.
In 2025, the partners received new support to expand the pathway—from high school career exploration and paraprofessional training to teacher licensure and leadership preparation. Project PARA helps make that vision accessible to the paraprofessionals already supporting students every day.
Certification
(Project PARA)
Technician
(Entry Role)
Education Teacher
& Leadership
Our Commitment
Project PARA reflects a commitment to strengthening special education from the ground up. We make high-quality training accessible and affordable, help schools invest in the paraprofessionals they already depend on, and create opportunities for continued growth.
When we invest in paraprofessionals, we invest in the students and communities they serve.
About Project PARA
Preparing Paraprofessionals.
Strengthening Schools.
Supporting Students.
Project PARA provides accessible, affordable training for paraprofessionals working with students with disabilities, helping them build the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful difference in the classroom.
Why Project PARA Matters
Well-Prepared Paraprofessionals Make a Lasting Difference.
Give paraprofessionals the tools and support to make a lasting difference in the classroom.
Paraprofessionals play an essential role in classrooms across North Dakota. They work alongside teachers, provide individualized support, and help students with disabilities participate and succeed at school.
Project PARA helps meet the need for consistent, high-quality training with an accessible online program that schools and districts can offer to their paraprofessionals—wherever they work.
What Project PARA Provides
Certification
Pathway
Accessible Online Training
A comprehensive program of 53 lessons that build knowledge and practical skills to support work in special education.
Affordable Professional Development
At $50 per paraprofessional, Project PARA gives schools and districts an economical way to invest in their support staff.
A Pathway to Certification
Training fulfills requirements for the North Dakota Special Education Paraprofessional Certificate, issued by NDDPI.
Opportunities for Career Growth
A strong foundation for continued learning, credentials, and future opportunities in special education.
Our Story: Part of a Bigger Vision
Project PARA is part of Project PIPELINE, a North Dakota effort to build connected pathways into special education. The partnership began in 2022 with Minot State University, Dakota College at Bottineau, and Certification Central, with support from the Bush Foundation.
In 2025, the partners received new support to expand the pathway—from high school career exploration and paraprofessional training to teacher licensure and leadership preparation. Project PARA helps make that vision accessible to the paraprofessionals already supporting students every day.
Certification
(Project PARA)
Technician
(Entry Role)
Education Teacher
& Leadership
Our Commitment
Project PARA reflects a commitment to strengthening special education from the ground up. We make high-quality training accessible and affordable, help schools invest in the paraprofessionals they already depend on, and create opportunities for continued growth.
When we invest in paraprofessionals, we invest in the students and communities they serve.