The Paraprofessional Test in Connecticut: ParaPathways Requirements and Scores
Connecticut’s paraprofessional test is now the ParaPathways. The Connecticut State Board of Education adopted it with passing scores of 332 on Reading and Writing and 334 on Mathematics. The old ParaPro remains accepted through August 31, 2026.
This page covers the Connecticut rules only. For a full breakdown of the exam itself, see what the ParaPathways is.
What test do paraeducators take in Connecticut?
The Connecticut State Board of Education adopted the ParaPathways in a March 2026 board memo. The assessment itself has been available from ETS since September 1, 2025. It is now the state-adopted assessment for paraeducators, the term Connecticut uses for paraprofessionals.
The older ParaPro Assessment stays valid during a transition window. Connecticut accepts ParaPro scores through August 31, 2026, with a passing score of 457. After that date, ETS discontinues the ParaPro and the ParaPathways becomes the only option.
If you already passed the ParaPro at 457 or above, that score still counts. If you are starting from zero, take the ParaPathways rather than a test that expires in weeks.
Next step: confirm which test your district lists in its current job postings.
Who has to take it?
Connecticut follows the federal Title I rule for instructional paraeducators. You need a high school diploma or GED, plus 1 of 3 qualifications: 2 years of college credit, an associate degree or higher, or a passing score on the state-adopted paraeducator assessment. The Connecticut State Department of Education outlines these paths on its paraeducator page at portal.ct.gov.
The assessment is the common route for candidates without 48 college credits or a degree. Many Title I paraeducator postings in Connecticut list a passing score as an acceptable substitute for coursework. Districts can also set their own hiring standards above the state floor, so read each posting.
Non-instructional roles, such as clerical aides, generally fall outside the Title I testing requirement. Your district HR office makes the final call on your specific position.
Next step: check whether your target job is a Title I instructional role.
What scores do you need in Connecticut?
Connecticut requires 332 on Reading and Writing (test 5758) and 334 on Mathematics (test 5759). These numbers come from the ETS state requirements page and the CSDE board adoption memo. You must pass both modules; a high score on one cannot offset a miss on the other.
Both scores sit in the middle of the range other states have set. If you want to see how Connecticut compares, the ParaPathways passing scores by state page has the full list. Your score arrives as a scaled number for each module, and the score report guide explains how to read it.
Next step: write down 332 and 334 as your two targets before you book a date.
How to register in Connecticut
Registration runs through an ETS account, the same system used for the Praxis. You can test at a Connecticut test center or at home with online proctoring. The fee is $75 for both modules together or $37.50 per module. Full steps are on the registration guide.
Ask your district HR office before you pay. Some Connecticut districts arrange testing sessions for new hires or reimburse the fee, and HR will also confirm the exact scores your posting requires.
Prep support exists locally too. Adult education programs across Connecticut run ParaPathways prep classes; Stamford Adult and Continuing Education, for example, lists a ParaPathways exam course in its catalog. That is a sign districts expect a steady stream of test takers.
Next step: email your district HR office, then create your ETS account.
Where the jobs are
Connecticut’s 3 largest districts, Hartford Public Schools, New Haven Public Schools, and Bridgeport Public Schools, post paraeducator openings through most of the year. Each runs its own applicant portal, and openings cluster in late summer before the school year starts.
Search job boards with both terms the state uses. "Paraeducator" pulls up most Connecticut postings because CSDE and the districts prefer it; "paraprofessional" catches the rest. Adding "special education" widens the results, since many openings support special education classrooms.
Smaller districts and regional education service centers, such as CREC and ACES, also hire paraeducators. A passing ParaPathways score transfers between Connecticut districts, so you only test once.
Next step: set up job alerts for "paraeducator" in the districts within commuting range.
Frequently asked questions
Is the ParaPro still accepted in Connecticut?
Yes, through August 31, 2026, with a passing score of 457. After that date the ParaPro is discontinued and only the ParaPathways counts.
What score do I need on the ParaPathways in CT?
Connecticut requires 332 on Reading and Writing and 334 on Mathematics. You must pass both modules.
Do I need the test with an associate degree?
No. An associate degree or higher, or 2 years of college credit, meets the Title I requirement on its own. The test is the third path for candidates without either.
Does Connecticut call it paraeducator or paraprofessional?
Both terms describe the same role. CSDE and most Connecticut districts use "paraeducator" in official documents and job postings.
See where you stand against Connecticut’s 332 and 334 cut scores.
Take the free diagnosticParaPathways Practice provides free practice tests for the ETS ParaPathways Assessment (5757). This site is not affiliated with ETS.