§ 20-2-204 - Paraprofessional and permitted personnel; classification of all certified or permitted personnel
               	 		
O.C.G.A.    20-2-204   (2010)
   20-2-204.    Paraprofessional and permitted personnel; classification of all certified or permitted personnel 
      (a)  As used in this Code section, the term:
      (1)  "Paraprofessional"  is defined as a person who may have less than professional-level  certification, who relates in role and function to a professional and  does a portion of the professional's job or tasks under the supervision  of the professional, and whose decision-making authority is limited and  regulated by the professional. Such a paraprofessional shall possess the  minimum of a high school diploma or a general educational development  (GED) diploma. If assigned to positions governed by federal regulations,  the paraprofessional must meet specified federal hiring requirements.
      (2)  "Permitted  personnel" is defined as persons who may not qualify for professional  certificates, including retired teachers, but who function in the  educational programs in the same manner as certificated personnel. Such  personnel qualify for their positions on the basis of experience rather  than formal education.
(b)  The Professional  Standards Commission shall provide for the classification of all  certified and permitted personnel employed in the public schools of this  state, and no such personnel shall be employed in the public schools of  this state unless they meet such minimum criteria as developed by the  commission; provided, however, that such classifications shall be based  only upon academic, technical, and professional training and experience  of such personnel. The commission is authorized to provide for revoking  or denying a certificate or permit for good cause after an investigation  is conducted and notice and hearing is provided the certificate or  permit holder.