Job Summary/Purpose:
The focus of the Reading Assessment Support Specialist position is designed to assist district schools in incorporating a student centered system of data driven instruction and intervention that effectively works to close the achievement gap in reading. The goal of this position is to continuously train and support site staff in the effective use of reading assessments and Progress Monitoring so that students are able to master grade level standards and curriculum over time.
Requirements:
The successful candidate will have:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Master’s Degree preferred
- Arizona Teaching Certificate
- Reading endorsement
- Experience teaching K-8 students (three to five years of experience preferred)
- Experience working with individual teachers and site based teams
- Experience and training in data management
- The ability to self-manage time and work load
- The ability to work cooperatively with a wide variety of co-employees
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
Professional Knowledge
- Demonstrates over-all knowledge and understanding of the purpose and functions of web-based assessment management systems (e.g. AIMSweb) and other types of reading assessments and interventions.
- Understands and demonstrates knowledge of the various subcomponents and subcomponent purposes and processes of assessment.
- Understands how to select appropriate assessment data for particular purposes and explain the meaning and purpose of these data.
- Understands that data systems take time and patience to integrate into the educational process and requires flexibility in training and implementation.
- Understands how to use existing technologies and new technologies to advance the focus and goal of assessments.
Implementation Practice
- Provide individual training, grade level training, small group training, and moderate sized group training on the use of reading assessment software and other assessment tools at school sites.
- Follow up on all trainings with additional trainings and/or information and/or by answering questions.
- Explain and demonstrate the procedures for Benchmark testing. Explain the purposes and meanings of the Benchmark reports and where to locate them.
- Explain and demonstrate how to manage students into a Progress Monitoring caseload, how to use browser based scoring, and how to timely insert intervention descriptions.
- Explain and demonstrate the purpose and procedures of Survey Level Assessment and where this subcomponent is located, implemented, and how it is interpreted.
- Explain and demonstrate goal setting and how goal setting reveals expectations and clarifies score relationships.
- Exercise flexibility and patience in training due to a wide variety of staff technology skill levels.
- Monitor Progress Monitoring caseloads for issues that need correction or attention.
- Communicate assessment information and processes with school site staff including how to use this information to inform reading instruction.
Professional Responsibilities
- Attend district and school site sponsored assessment trainings.
- Train district and school staff in effective and efficient use of assessments and assessment data.
- Support the school sitesthrough facilitation and/or participation at in-services, grade level team meetings, and staff meetings.
- Collaborate with classroom teachers, special education teachers, interventionists, coaches, and contracted consultants.
- Manage time wisely. Schedule and keep training appointments in a timely manner.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stoop, reach, stand, walk, lift, pull, push, grasp, talk, hear, see and use repetitive motions, While performing the duties of this job, the employee may frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds of materials, etc. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, and the ability to adjust focus. The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and other staff.
Work Environment: The Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is low to high.
The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed by this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned. |