NFPA Policy Manual

COMMITTEE - EDUCATION
86-8
Vote Tally: 32-Y, 0-N, 0-A
Association: SALA
STATUS: Carried

WHEREAS, it is the goal of the NFPA and its member associations to improve legal assistant education on a nationwide basis; and

WHEREAS, NFPA believes the "ideal paralegal school must have (1) sufficient basic entrance requirements; (2) adequate and applicable curricula; and (3) support systems in place to assist the educational process; therefore

BE IT RESOLVED that the NFPA establish the Education/Accreditation Task Force as an ad hoc entity for a period of three years. The Task Force's purpose will be to develop and implement a model core curriculum which fulfills the component educational qualities identified as needed to produce standardized and useful paralegal educational training. Additionally, the Task Force is to provide support and assistance to the NFPA's representative to the ABA Approval Commission and that representative will transmit information from the ABA Approval Commission to the Task Force. The Task Force will be co-chaired by the NFPA representative to the ABA Approval Commission and by the Task Force Coordinator. The Task Force Coordinator shall be elected by the NFPA member associations and serve a concurrent term with the ABA Approval Commission representative. The Task Force is charged with the authority to carry out the following three year plan:

YEAR ONE: Create and disseminate the necessary materials for the conduct of open forums seeking input on the subject of educational curriculum and legal assistant course outlines. The forums shall be held in strategic geographically spread locations and shall be coordinated by the NFPA's Regional Directors:

YEAR TWO: Analyze the input from the open forums and employ the results in developing minimum paralegal school entrance requirements, course curricula and augments to existing support systems;

YEAR THREE: Develop and implementation program and recommend same to the NFPA member associations for approval and adoption. After receiving approval, commencing the planned implementation.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NFPA Accreditation Committee is charged with the task of assisting the efforts of the Task Force co-chairs and further that any additional individual Task Force participants determined to be necessary by the co-chairs may be recruited and appointed by them.

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE TASK FORCE CO-COORDINATOR:

1. Background in paralegal education (have taught in or been in the advisory board of a paralegal program);
2. Articulate, professional, assertive and imaginative;
3. Well versed in NFPA history and policy;
4. Willing to support the NFPA representative to the ABA Approval Commission;
5. Should have knowledge of the concepts of the accreditation and approval; and
6. Must be able to travel.

WHEREAS, the membership of the NFPA is dedicated to making high quality paralegal education available to future practitioners; and

WHEREAS, it is the goal of the NFPA and its member associations to influence, consistent with the long range plan, legal assistant education on a nationwide basis; and

WHEREAS, the NFPA believes the "ideal" paralegal school must have (1) sufficient basic entrance requirements; (2) adequate and applicable curricula; and (3) support systems in place to assist the educational process; therefore

BE IT RESOLVED that the Educational/Accreditation Task Force created by NFPA Resolution 86-16 be amended to read as follows:

YEAR ONE: Create and disseminate the necessary materials for the conduct of open forums seeking input on the subject of educational curricula and legal assistant course outlines. The forums will be held in Kansas City, Missouri; Rochester, New York; Los Angeles, California; and Washington, D.C.

YEAR TWO AND THREE: (1) analyze the input from the open forums with and assistance from education experts to develop and recommend: (A) minimum paralegal school entrance requirements; (B) course curricula; and enhancements to support services offered to students and graduates; (2) further, the Task Force will employ the NFPA's Expansion of Professional Responsibilities Committee's competencies data to analyze and determine the needed training to be incorporated into educational curricula; (3) the Task Force will also collect and compile data provided by paralegal education programs and prepare and updated Directory of Paralegal Training Programs which will include comprehensive school information, contact personnel, entrance requirements, program length and other relevant comparative materials to be marketed for the benefit of the NFPA; and (4) The Task Force will compile and submit to the NFPA's ABA Approval Commission representative, after approval by the NFPA Board of Directors, proposed changes to the current ABA Approval Guidelines for consideration by the Commission.

YEAR FOUR: To invite participation by all allied and interested parties to design and form a broadly based, autonomous approval body which will be charged with accrediting paralegal education programs.

YEAR FIVE AND SIX: Organize the accrediting commission and implement the accrediting process.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Task Force Coordinator may recruit and appoint individual Task Force participants as the need arises.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Task Force is to provide support and assistance to the NFPA's representative to the ABA Approval Commission and that representative will transmit information from the ABA Approval Commission to the Task Force. The Task Force will be co-chaired by the NFPA representative to the ABA Approval Commission and the Task Force Coordinator.

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the NFPA make a commitment by continuing the Education/Accreditation Task Force to produce a curriculum thesis. This curriculum thesis will include specific educational objectives and methodologies needed to create a pragmatic core curriculum as a guideline for instructors and educational institutions for the benefit of future practitioners. This thesis will expand upon the "composite" curriculum preliminary study, make it more definitive; and support it with greater documentation.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NFPA, after completing the process expressed above, will work with the AAfPE (American Association for Paralegal Education) toward perfecting the composite curriculum for membership discussion at a future Annual Meeting with an eye toward development of a curriculum that can be disseminated through the Conclave.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NFPA reaffirms the concepts and charges of Resolution 89-5, a copy of which is attached hereto*; and,

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Education/Accreditation Task Force Committee chairpersons are herewith given the authority to disseminate the Report to NFPA Advisory Board educational consultants and such other educational experts as deemed appropriate by the chairpersons for the purpose of consultation and soliciting recommendations.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, resolutions 86-16, 87-13, 89-5 and 90-6, pertaining to the Education/Accreditation Task Force, be rescinded,

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Education/Accreditation Task Force become a standing committee,

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Education/Accreditation Task Force will be co-chaired by the NFPA Representative to the ABA Approval Commission and the Task Force Coordinator,

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Task Force Coordinator shall meet the following qualifications:

1. Possess a four-year degree from an accredited college or university;
2. Possess a background in paralegal education, i.e. have taught in or served on an advisory board of a paralegal program;
3. Articulate, professional, assertive and imaginative;
4. Well versed in NFPA history and policy;
5. Willing to support the NFPA Representative to the ABA Approval Commission; and
6. Must be able to travel.

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Task Force Coordinator shall be elected at the Annual Meeting and hold a term of one year.

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Education/Accreditation Task Force Coordinator shall work with Committee members and educational consultants to prepare a comprehensive set of curriculum guidelines for paralegal educational institutions.

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the work product, currently entitled "Curriculum Alternatives for the 1990s" provide foundation for the Committee's work, and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Committee present to the member associations at the 1992 Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, a comprehensive document, in the most appropriate form as determined by the Committee with input from educational consultants.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Education/Accreditation Task Force be re-named the Education Committee and be comprised of one member from each region plus the Chair and Co-Chair. The committee will be chaired by the Education Committee Chair, whose term must run concurrently with that of the ABA Approval Commission Representative who will serve as co-chair of the Committee;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that any NFPA policy resolutions or position statement referring to paralegal specialty courses will be changed from paralegal specialty courses to legal specialty courses;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Committee will review the current core listing of classes and present to the delegates at the 1994 Mid-Year Meeting in Kansas City, MO a work product that is at a minimum consistent with, if not setting higher standards than, the current ABA Guidelines require. Further, the Committee will determine under what circumstances, if any, it is appropriate to waive the general education component.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Education Committee Chair and Co-Chair and the Director of Communications and Marketing actively market the NFPA core listing of classes.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Education Committee in consultation with educational experts develop the core listing of classes into a model curriculum, having a draft work product ready for review at NFPA's Annual Meeting in Albuquerque, NM.

WHEREAS the Education Committee has reviewed the prior listing of classes approved by delegates at the 1992 Annual Meeting with Resolution 92-2 and determined that some changes needed to be made in the listing; and

WHEREAS the ABA Commission on Non-Lawyer Practice is seeking guidance on education criteria for traditional paralegals as well as individuals delivering their services directory to the public; and

WHEREAS the Education Committee has concluded individuals providing services directly to the public should have the same core education as traditional paralegals, as well as additional course work in their chosen practice area(s) and be encouraged to take business courses in order to assist them in establishing and running a successful business;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the listings of subject/practice areas attached hereto be approved and replace all prior NFPA work product.

FURTHER RESOLVED the Education Committee continue its work to determine under what circumstances, if any, general education courses should be waived by paralegal training programs.

FURTHER RESOLVED individuals providing services directly to the public should have the same core education as traditional paralegals, as well as additional course work in their chosen practice area(s) and be encouraged to take business courses in order to assist them in establishing and running a successful business.

FURTHER RESOLVED the Education Committee Co-Chairs work with the American Association for Paralegal Education in an attempt to dovetail NFPA's listings into any possible AAfPE work products to complete a core curriculum for paralegal training programs.

FURTHER RESOLVED the Education Committee report back to the delegates at the May 1995 Annual Meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as to what progress its co-chairs were able to make in working with paralegal educators on some type of a joint work product regarding a core curriculum for paralegal training programs.

FURTHER RESOLVED that in the event the Education Committee is unable to develop a joint work product with AAfPE by the Annual Meeting in May, 1995, NFPA commence to market its listings to future practitioners, paralegal training programs, the ABA Commission on Non-Lawyer Practice and any inquirers as the standards in education that all should strive to attain.

FURTHER RESOLVED the Education Committee do whatever it deems necessary, e.g., research, conduct studies, etc., with Board approval, in order refine NFPA's policy on education.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
24 Semester Hours

24 Semester Hours at the college level encompassing the following areas:
English Composition/Grammar*
Mathematics
Logic
Speech/Communications

Earth or Natural Science
Political Science/History
Sociology
Humanities/including Philosophy

The following areas are desirable electives:

Business**
Computer Science/Literacy
Foreign Language
Psychology
Economics

*Extensive experience in grammar and composition is important for paralegals.

** Only Accounting, Business Communications and Personal Management courses are desirable.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the resolved paragraph 1 of Resolution 94-9 reading:

"Now Therefore Be It Resolved, that the Education/Accreditation Task Force be re-named the Education Committee and be comprised of one member from each region plus the Chair and Co-Chair. The committee will be chaired by the Education Committee Chair, whose term must run concurrently with that of the ABA Approval Commission Representative who will serve as co-chair of the Committee." be rescinded;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Education/Accreditation Task Force be re-named the Education Committee and be comprised of NFPA members interested in furthering the development of NFPA educational issues and any joint projects, plus the Chair and Co-Chair. The Chair of the Education Committee will be appointed annually by the Board of Directors. The ABA Approval Commission Representative will serve as the Co-Chair of the Committee.

RESOLVED, that the NFPA establish the following committees:

• Membership
• Funding
• Publications
• Newsletter
• Research
• Professional Development
• Education
• Bylaws
• Administration
• Finance

... the various goals for the committees ...

Professional Development: Procedure for updating affirmation, certification, accreditation, and ethical considerations.

RESOLVED to establish an Ad Hoc Committee to study the pros and cons of the exempt vs. non-exempt status of paralegals and the Standard Industrial Code as it applies to paralegals.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NFPA form the committee on the Expansion of Professional Responsibility;

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Committee in the 1985-1986 year is directed to research and draft model legislation in the model legislation itself, which proposes broadening the present job responsibilities of paralegals and which does not involve across-the-board regulation of paralegals, through a method of limited registration of paralegals to perform specific duties not presently performed by paralegals, draft NFPA policy statements regarding model legislation;

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Committee on the Expansion of Professional Responsibilities prepare the model legislation, in the model legislation itself, and send it to primary representatives and board members by March 1, 1986 for comment. A final draft will be presented for comment and possible ratification by the members at the 1986 annual meeting, that the Committee on the Expansion of Professional Responsibilities research and draft an NFPA policy statement on model legislation.

RESOLVED, that the Committee on the Expansion of Professional Responsibility be reorganized to establish as members at least one association from each region to be chaired by an individual member of one of a respective member association as appointed by the Board of Directors, at the recommendation of the Policy Vice President. The Policy Vice President shall be an ex-officio member of the committee.

WHEREAS, the Committee on the Expansion of Professional Responsibility was established at the 1985 Annual Meeting to research and draft a policy statement regarding model legislation that does not involve across-the-board or mandatory licensing of paralegals; and

WHEREAS, the Committee has submitted an initial committee report to the NFPA in 1986 followed by detailed, comprehensive reports in 1987 and 1988; and

WHEREAS, from those reports evolved the compilation of traditional paralegal/legal assistant responsibilities (approved by the NFPA Board in 1987 in the form of the NFPA publication known as the "List of Traditional Paralegal Responsibilities); and

WHEREAS, the Committee was directed to continue NFPA endeavors to expand the professional responsibilities of paralegals/legal assistants by soliciting information from the NFPA membership in the form of the Survey of Non-Traditional Paralegal Responsibilities ("the survey");

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the NFPA approve the survey as submitted to the Board and to the Primary Representatives in written draft form, as amended on the floor at the 1988 Annual Meeting.

RESOLVED that the Expansion for Professional Responsibility Committee be sunset as its charge has been completed.

RESOLVED, that a special committee be formed to research the status of paralegals under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

RESOLVED that the NFPA Board of Directors is hereby directed to establish a committee to prepare a plan for the establishment of the NFPA Foundation, and present such plan to this body for approval at the 1995 Annual Meeting.

BE IT RESOLVED, that NFPA authorizes the corporation to amend the Articles of Incorporation of the Foundation for the Advancement of the Paralegal Profession of Article 3 by striking out 501(c)(6) and inserting 501(c)(3) and also in all places applicable.

COMMITTEES, INMATES
96M-5

MOVED that the board of directors direct the appropriate committee to conduct the necessary research and develop a policy on NFPA's position on prison inmate paralegals for consideration at the 1997 annual meeting.

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