ESL Assessment Specialist

Newport News Public Schools; Newport News (VA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Newport News Public Schools seeks an ESL Assessment Specialist to conduct initial K-12 ESL assessments for placement and to train staff on assessment tools. You will maintain testing databases and communicate with schools and families to ensure accurate ESL placement.

Responsibilities include processing paperwork, coordinating with the WIDA ecosystem in spring, and supporting the ESL Welcome Center records and related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Completion of a high school diploma and a bachelor’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, education or a related field.
• Proficient ability with the Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Ability to organize testing data and maintain databases; strong public relations skills.

Responsibilities

• Administers initial ESL assessments for K-12 students for possible ESL placement.
• Trains ESL staff on assessment instruments and maintains testing databases.
• Communicates regularly with schools and families about ESL placement and records.
• Creates and maintains student documentation including WIDA-related reports.
• Assists in ESL registration and coordinates with districts within the WIDA Consortium.

Education

High school diploma and bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, education or related field

Tools

FileMaker Pro

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Summary

Position is responsible for K-12 English as a Second Language initial testing for possible student placement in an ESL program. Position provides training to ESL staff on assessment instrument used and maintains testing database. Position processes all testing paperwork and works with all schools and families with communicating proper ESL placement.

• Serves as liaison between student, families, school, home, and the ESL Welcome Center.
• Cooperates with administrators and staff in implementing the ESL program.
• Adheres to all federal and state ESL guidelines pertaining to ESL assessment.
• Administers all initial ESL language assessment components to incoming students K-12 that may qualify for ESL as well as support for division-wide WIDA Assessments in the spring.
• Complete all ESL language assessment paperwork and ensure it is up to date.
• Communicate with schools and families on a regular basis.
• Assist in ESL student registration process.
• Creates and maintains student documentation to include assessments, reports, data, and WIDA Screener reports.
• Assess students off site, to include alternative schools, private schools, and potential ELs at their home school.
• Train ESL teachers for use of the initial ESL language assessment.
• Input ESL coding as appropriate in the student information system.
• Communicate with different districts within the WIDA Consortium for student information and scores.
• Assist in maintaining the ESL Welcome Center records.
• Support ESL department, as needed.
• Models nondiscriminatory practices in all activities.

(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills And/or Abilities Required)

Completion of standard high school diploma and a bachelor’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, education or a related field and some experience in providing services to school aged children and/or families, or any combination of education and experience that would provide the requisite knowledge, skills and ability. Ability to organize and implement state approved ESL program assessments. Proficient ability working with the Microsoft Office Suite to include Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Ability to create and maintain testing databases using Filemaker Pro and Microsoft Office software. Excellent public relations and telephone skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public. Ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate good judgment, tact and courtesy. Ability to follow complex oral and written directions, work independently. English and Spanish bilingual ability is preferred but not required. ESL teaching experience preferred.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The ESL Assessment Specialist will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the ESL Instructional Supervisor or appropriate administrator. Newport News Public Schools reserves the right to update, revise or change this job description and related duties at any time.

For additional information, go to: http://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/hr/jobs/descriptions.html

For further information regarding the position's compensation, please visit this link, NNPS COMPENSATION.