The Louisiana Community and Technical College System is invited to design a core curriculum for associate degree programs for paraprofessionals and other individuals interested in the field of education. All candidates who pursue Associate of Applied Science Degrees for Paraprofessionals will receive special training that will assist them in instructing students in the areas of reading, writing, math, and school readiness. These courses will focus less upon theory and more upon practical knowledge and strategies that can be applied immediately when working with PK-12 students in classrooms. Candidates will not be allowed to transfer paraprofessional courses to four year institutions. All candidates who pursue Associate of Science in Teaching Degrees will develop essential content knowledge in English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and the Arts to effectively teach children information contained within Louisiana's K-12 content standards. In addition, candidates will take 6 credit hours of education courses that introduce them to the needs of PK-12 students in classrooms. Candidates will be allowed to transfer the credit hours within the approved curriculum to four year institutions and apply all approved courses to a baccalaureate degree in teacher education. Once the curricula for the new degree programs have been designed, national consultants will carefully evaluate the programs to ensure that they meet standards for quality. The review process will support state efforts to recruit and prepare highly qualified educators who effectively address the needs of students in PK-12 schools. These coordinated efforts are ultimately designed to improve the achievement of students in all schools. [This publication was also developed by: the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Louisiana Department of Education, and Districts.]