(1) Educational assistants shall have, at a minimum, a high school diploma or a GED(R) equivalent and shall show demonstrable proficiency in reading and writing skills.
(2) If a licensed teacher to whom an educational assistant has been assigned is required to be absent from the classroom, the educational assistant may assume responsibility for the classroom in lieu of a substitute teacher. However, no educational assistant shall assume responsibility for the classroom for more than three (3) consecutive school days.
(3) This section shall not apply to educational assistants hired on or before July 1, 2006.