Career Ladder programs for paraeducators and non-traditional students such as mid-career changers, recent graduates, and non-educational school personnel are created through collaborative efforts between school districts, community centered boards, community colleges, teacher education programs, and related organizations. They are designed to facilitate the career advancement of paraeducators and others by training them to move into the professional teaching ranks. Career Ladder programs are often funded by grants and usually prepare participants to work in either special education, math, science or linguistically diverse education. The programs offered at The PAR²A Center are just two examples of training models that are being used to meet the needs of paraeducators and other non-traditional students in Colorado who wish to become teachers.