Career Ladder programs for paraeducators are created through collaborative efforts between school districts, community colleges, teacher education programs, and related organizations. They are designed to facilitate the career advancement of paraeducators by training them to move into the professional teaching ranks. Career Ladder programs are often funded by grants and usually prepare paraeducators to work in either special education or bilingual education. However, there are paraeducator programs across the nation that prepare paraeducators to work in different disciplines and program areas. The programs offered at The PAR²A Center are just two examples of training models that are being used to meet the needs of paraeducators in Colorado who wish to become teachers.