The Florida Senate

A district school board may appoint education paraprofessionals to assist members of the instructional staff in carrying out their duties and responsibilities. An education paraprofessional shall not be required to hold a teaching certificate. An education paraprofessional, while rendering services under the supervision of a certified teacher, shall be accorded the same protection of laws as that accorded the certified teacher. Paid education paraprofessionals employed by a district school board shall be entitled to the same rights as those accorded noninstructional employees of the district school board.