Test Development Specialist - 21824BR
Test Development Specialist
Test Development Specialist
Department:
Achievement & Assessment Inst
Location/Division:
University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
Work Location Assignment:
Telework
Reg/Temp:
Regular
Employee Class:
U-Unclassified Professional Staff
Position Overview
ATLAS promotes learning and improved outcomes for all students. We create technology-based learning and assessment systems that are accessible and academically rigorous. Our center serves all students, including students with disabilities, struggling learners, and ELLs, as well as their educators.
Our center develops and delivers state assessments for the general population and ELLs, as well as a map-based system, The Dynamic Learning Maps® (DLM®) Alternate Assessment System, which assesses students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in English language arts, mathematics, and science.
We are seeking a test development specialist for our English Language Arts team.
The test development specialist will support the production of operational assessments by assisting with test development efforts, primarily focusing on ensuring that ELA test questions support valid interpretations of test scores, adhere to industry best practices, and appropriately elicit observable evidence of targeted cognition as described by curricular standards. Test development specialists will help with the workflow of content at multiple stages of the development process, participate in training to item writers and facilitate discussions of test content with external content area experts.
Successful applicants will demonstrate deep and thorough expertise with the Next Generation ELA Standards (the Common Core) and will be familiar with a range of either classroom approaches and/or standardized assessment approaches to collecting evidence of student mastery of the Common Core.
This is a full-time (40 hours/week), unclassified position. ATLAS is located at the Lawrence campus. We will consider a telework, on-site, or hybrid work location for well-qualified candidates.
Our center develops and delivers state assessments for the general population and ELLs, as well as a map-based system, The Dynamic Learning Maps® (DLM®) Alternate Assessment System, which assesses students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in English language arts, mathematics, and science.
We are seeking a test development specialist for our English Language Arts team.
The test development specialist will support the production of operational assessments by assisting with test development efforts, primarily focusing on ensuring that ELA test questions support valid interpretations of test scores, adhere to industry best practices, and appropriately elicit observable evidence of targeted cognition as described by curricular standards. Test development specialists will help with the workflow of content at multiple stages of the development process, participate in training to item writers and facilitate discussions of test content with external content area experts.
Successful applicants will demonstrate deep and thorough expertise with the Next Generation ELA Standards (the Common Core) and will be familiar with a range of either classroom approaches and/or standardized assessment approaches to collecting evidence of student mastery of the Common Core.
This is a full-time (40 hours/week), unclassified position. ATLAS is located at the Lawrence campus. We will consider a telework, on-site, or hybrid work location for well-qualified candidates.
Job Description
85% - Assist with test development efforts. Activities may include the following:
- Reviewing, editing and polishing items to ensure they appropriately elicit evidence of student cognition, for general population students, ELLs, and for students with the most severe cognitive disabilities.
- Assisting with a cyclical end-to-end process that includes the development of passages, the development of items and test construction activities.
- Facilitating discussions with external experts under the mentorship of senior test development professionals and a test development manager.
- Assisting with training item writers to bolster a shared understanding of the target testing populations and interpretations of curricular standards.
- Contributing to the drafting of training plans
- Documenting approaches, processes and lessons learned in real time
- Drafting portions of technical, non-technical reports and instructional supports.
Position Requirements
- Due to COVID restrictions, this position will begin teleworking and may transition to hybrid work when deemed safe and necessary.
- This position allows for a telework, on-site, or hybrid work location for well-qualified candidates.
- This position will require attendance at regularly scheduled meetings which are held on-site or through telecommunication platforms.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in English, education, or a closely related field, or one year of teaching English Language Arts in a K-12 setting.
- At least one year of experience using technology including Microsoft Office products, Skype, Zoom, and/or other web-based systems as evidenced in application materials.
- At least one year of experience that required prioritizing and managing multiple objectives.
- At least one year of experience that required working both independently and as part of a team in a collaborative environment.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English as evidenced by application materials and interview.
Preferred Qualifications
- Graduate degree in English Literature, Education, Creative Writing, or a related field; or teaching certification in literacy, or as a reading specialist.
- At least one year of experience in English Language Arts large-scale assessment development.
- At least one year of teaching or curriculum development experience in English Language Arts.
- At least one year of experience with teaching or assessing English Language Learners.
- At least one year of experience with teaching or assessing students with significant cognitive disabilities.
- Ability to adopt a learning stance and a willingness to work in a fast-paced environment as evidenced in prior work experience and interview process.
- At least one year of experience with content management systems or quality control procedures.
Additional Candidate Instructions
A complete application includes:
Only complete applications will be considered.
Application review begins 04/18/2022 and will continue until a pool of qualified applicants has been obtained.
- Online application
- Resume or vita
- Cover letter highlighting qualifications and including specific examples of experience
- Names and contact information for three professional references.
Only complete applications will be considered.
Application review begins 04/18/2022 and will continue until a pool of qualified applicants has been obtained.
Contact Information to Applicants
Cynthia Perez, atlas-admin@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range
$50,000 minimum, commensurate with experience
Work Schedule
M-F, 8a-5p; occasional evening or weekend work may be needed
Application Review Begins
18-Apr-2022
Anticipated Start Date
01-Jun-2022