Alternate Assessment Education Program Specialist

Ohio; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization in Ohio is seeking an Education Program Specialist to oversee statewide assessments for students with significant cognitive disabilities. The role involves coordinating assessment development, ensuring compliance, and providing technical assistance to educators and stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in educational support and a Master's degree in a related field.

Qualifications

• 6 years of experience providing support to children with disabilities.
• 6 years of experience interpreting legislation and law.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates and oversees the development of Ohio Statewide Assessments.
• Provides technical assistance regarding statewide assessments.

Skills

Educational support

Education

Master’s degree in Education

Job description

The work location of this position is 25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. You will be required to report to this work location full-time, if selected.

If this position is filled with an internal employee who has an approved telework agreement, the employee may be required to report in-person during the initial training period.

Serves as an unclassified employee pursuant to Section 3301.13 RC and performs the following educational and/or research duties:

Acts as an education program specialist for the Office for Exceptional Children in conjunction with the Office of Assessment by monitoring and implementing policies and procedures relating to the alternate assessment for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities:

· Coordinates and oversees the development and administration of Ohio Statewide Assessments, specifically the alternate assessment.

· Communicates statewide assessment policies, legislature, federal statute and regulations.

· Monitors contractors for content, deliverables and compliance to ensure statewide assessments and related materials are formatted, reviewed, printed and distributed to districts/schools by deliverable dates.

· Provides ongoing planning and communication regarding the development of assessments and ancillary materials, administration procedures and scoring and reporting procedures.

· Monitors contractors to ensure effective development and implementation of the statewide assessments for Ohio, especially the alternate assessment.

· Participates in quality control of online and paper-based statewide assessments.

· Coordinates ESSA state compliance activities for alternate assessment participation.

· Communicates state eligibility guidelines for the alternate assessment.

· Annually reviews and makes public alternate assessment participation data. Coordinates Ohio’s system of general supervision for alternate assessment participation.

· Develops reports on state compliance activities for alternate assessment participation.

Provides technical assistance to school officials, parents, students and the public regarding the administration of statewide assessments for Ohio in accordance with ORC and OAC (e.g., assists with understanding administration process and results):

· Interprets and explains testing policies including proper application of test accommodations for students with disabilities;

· Develops guidelines for accessibility features and accommodations for state assessments;

· Researches and evaluates applications of emerging and innovative technology relative to state assessments and makes recommendations for their use;

· Ensures current assessment information is available through a variety of sources (e.g., web, email, newsletters, webinars, web conferencing, social media, reports);

· Reviews changing state and federal laws, best practices, and educational data and research and recommends policy changes as needed;

· Monitors alternate assessment test progress and administration according to established rules and procedures;

· Facilitates and/or attends committee meetings;

· Develops training materials and presentations and presents information to groups;

· Administers, reviews, and approves alternate assessment tiered support and monitoring by providing technical assistance during the development of corrective action plans for compliance issues;

· Provides technical assistance and training to statewide systems of support.

Performs other duties as assigned:

· Participates and organizes statewide meetings for administrators, teachers, and parents of students with disabilities;

· Conducts workshops and makes presentations.

Unusual Working Conditions: Requires travel throughout State of Ohio & may require overnight stay. (Must be willing and able to secure a valid Driver’s License OR supply your own transportation.)

Minimum Qualifications

• 6 years of experience providing support and services to children with disabilities including students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.
• 6 years of experience in interpreting legislation and law (i.e.,operating standards, Ohio Revised Code, Ohio Administrative Code, state/federal requirements and guidelines, providing direction/guidance to stakeholders).
• 6 years of experience in performing one of the following (i.e., measurements/psychometrics, educational policy development, assessment/evaluation) in a government and/or educational setting.

-OR-

• 6 years of experience providing support and services to those who work with children with disabilities including students with the most significant cognitive disabilities (i.e., teacher, administrator, professional development provider, technical assistance provider).
• 6 years of experience in interpreting legislation and law (i.e.,operating standards, Ohio Revised Code, Ohio Administrative Code, state/federal requirements and guidelines, providing direction/guidance to stakeholders).
• 6 years of experience in performing one of the following (i.e., measurements/psychometrics, educational policy development, assessment/evaluation) in a government and/or educational setting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Completion of a Master’s degree in one of the following areas: Education [i.e., special education, educational administration/leadership, curriculum (core academic content), assessment]
• 6 years of experience providing support and services to children with disabilities including students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.

-OR-

• 6 years of experience providing support and services to those who work with children with disabilities including students with the most significant cognitive disabilities (i.e., teacher, administrator, professional development provider, technical assistance provider).

Job Skills: Educational support