Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life.In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity.Six core values are embedded within these commitments -student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.The Department of Student Assessment and MTSSempowers all CPS stakeholders with high-quality evidence of student learning to advance achievement, access, and opportunity for all students. The department supports schools in the development and implementation of balanced assessment systems and a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Framework that enables educators to meet students' needs.
Job Summary:The Assessment Specialist will support the successful implementation of the Star 360 assessments and will provide guidance on the use of Star 360 results to support schools' balanced assessment systems and MTSS programs. This position will report to the Balanced Assessment Systems Manager.
The Assessment Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:- Manage the CPS vendor relationship with Renaissance Learning, including but not limited to project management and contract management
- Manage all aspects of the successful administration of tests in the Star 360 suite of assessments, including Star Reading, Star Math, Star Spanish, Star Curriculum-based Measures, and Star Custom
- Collaborate with vendor-based district consultants to co-design and manage the implementation of Star 360-focused professional learning for school administrators, testing leads, teachers, network staff, and central office personnel
- Collaborate across offices and departments on the implementation and use of the Star 360 assessment suite, including the development of supportive resources. Collaborating departments may include, but are not limited to, the Office of Teaching and Learning, Office of Network Support (ONS), the Office of Language and Cultural Education (OLCE), the Office of Diverse Learner Supports Services (ODLSS), and Information Technology Services (ITS).
- Facilitate the cleaning, validating, reporting, and visualization of Star 360 assessment data to support district priorities by liaising with the School Quality Measurement (SQMR) and Information Technology Services (ITS) teams
- Design and distribute school, teacher and parent-facing communications and assessment resources to understand, interpret, and use assessment results for evidence-based decision-making
- Perform related duties as assigned
In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Assessment Specialist must possess the following qualifications: Education Required:
- Bachelor's Degree in education, special education, educational measurement, education policy, or related fields from an accredited college or university, required
- Master's degree in the above fields is preferred
Experience Required:
- Minimum of three (3) years of professional work experience in education is required, with a preference for experience in assessment, MTSS, or instructional data analysis.
- Minimum of two (2) years of experience with large-scale urban district operations or implementation preferred
- Experience working in a large urban school district, and experience with third-party vendor management preferred
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Capable of clear communication and collaboration with a broad range of audiences/constituents including policymakers, district leadership, and school-based staff
- High levels of assessment literacy; familiarity with the principles of Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
- Exceptional organizational, project management and strategic planning capabilities, including the ability to establish goals, and align activities toward goal fulfillment
- Quick learner with the ability to conduct multiple projects concurrently
- Ability to design and facilitate adult professional learning
- Proficiency in Google Suite with advanced Google Sheets skills, and familiarity with information technology
Conditions of Employment:As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:
- Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. This Chicago residency requirement does not apply to part-time/temporary positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.
- Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 - Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. Up-to-date on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.