Job Description:
About ETS:
For more than 75 years, we have amplified products and services based rigorous research and our belief in the power of learning. Driven by our mission to advance quality and equity in education, ETS provides learning solutions, pioneering research and trusted assessments that help guide learners around the world on their path to new possibilities.
Our portfolio of trusted measures include
TOEFL, TOEIC, GRE and Praxis. Along with research, development and innovation that explores new frontiers in learning and measurement our educational measurement solutions and research contribute to the development of new methods and tools, inform important dialogue with education policymakers, and shed light on critical issues and potential solutions - all with the aim of creating a world where all learners can improve their lives through education.
With new senior leadership at the helm, ETS aims to continue changing the lives of all learners as we expand our organization's global footprint. Our goal is to remain at the forefront of assessment and measurement efficacy within the education and ed tech space as it continues to grow and evolve.
Content Area: Alterna te Assessments (special concentration on alternate English l anguage a ssessments , or alternate summative assessments in English/language arts, math ematics , and science).
Position Summary
The Assessment Specialist I develops items, tests, and related products that are closely aligned to relevant subject-area alternate academic achievement standards and student learning objectives. This role applies strong content knowledge and knowledge of the special student population to add significant value to item writing, item review, test assembly, and discussions at committee meetings, and is knowledgeable about current standards and trends in their field of specialty. The Assessment Specialist I must work independently and must also be a strong team player, working with internal groups as well as outside experts in their field of specialty. The Assessment Specialist I applies knowledge of special education populations and teaching practices to assessment development work.
Basic Functions And Responsibilities
- Serve as a subject-matter expert in alternate assessments
- Write and review items, gather and resolve feedback from multiple sources on items and evaluate item acceptability after testing
- Write and review teacher directions for administration (DFAs)
- Develop and evaluate AI-generated assessment and learning content in collaboration with AI engineers and developers and directly through AI tools
- Participate in constructed-response scoring activities, including work with faculty consultants, clients, and/or other external subject-matter experts
- Recruit, train, mentor, and manage external content contributors in the development of test materials; help develop training materials and assist with the facilitation of training meetings
- Assist in facilitation of content development activities in areas outside of core expertise
- Assist in the design and development of new assessments and innovative products and services; assist in the development of new blueprints and item types, working with project team and client
- Assemble test forms according to defined specifications
- Respond to customer inquiries, review responses to customer inquiries to ensure accuracy and appropriate responses
- Respond to client feedback to develop content that meets specific client expectations
- Assist in project direction; help to implement item development plans; work on special development projects as appropriate
- Adhere to ethical standards and comply with the laws and regulations applicable to your job function
Leadership, Teamwork, and Flexibility
A successful person in this role has a track record of adding value to official or unofficial teams by actively participating in them and seeking to understand the various interests of team members. They are customer-focused and foster respectful relationships with internal and external colleagues. They act with the customer or internal stakeholders in mind and consider downstream implications. They are knowledgeable and up to date on industry trends and standard practices. They have the ability to succeed at working on new assessments, on developing innovative measurement tools, and on dealing successfully with ambiguity. They are able to understand complex project schedules and plan effectively to meet deadlines. They demonstrate a strong learning orientation to willingly develop new skills and competencies that will improve personal and business performance. They assist in project direction, help implement item development plans, and work on special development projects. They are able to problem-solve and possess flexibility to adjust project plans to meet deliverables on time and with the expected quality. They demonstrate a high level of productivity and exhibit accountability for assigned work.
Required Experience:
EDUCATION
Masters Degree in field of specialty or an equivalent combination of education and experience (for instance Bachelors Degree with 3 or more years teaching experience) from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired. Degree and certification in special education, with a focus on students with significant cognitive disabilities is preferred.
General Experience
- This position requires a minimum of 3 years of increasingly responsible professional experience, which may include teaching at the elementary school, middle school, and/or high school level , and/or college level ; writing ; editing ; and/or developing assessments .
- A minimum of 3 years of professional experience teaching in a special education classroom (preferably teaching students with significant cognitive disabilities)
- Classroom experience and familiarity with current subject-area standards are desirable.
- This position requires s trong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to apply rules of grammar, etc., to the development of materials in content area.
- This position requires well -developed organizational skills, strong technical skills , and a willingness/adeptness with regards to learning new technology .
Subject Area Knowledge And Experience
English Language Arts (ELA)
- Comprehensive knowledge of a relevant field of specialty in order to develop ELA items, tests, and related products that are closely aligned to the alternate academic achievement standards , including those related to the Common Core State Standards and individual state standards.
- Ability to approach ELA item development in a way that shows understanding of best classroom practices for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
- Ability to respond quickly, productively, and flexibly to a wide range of new assessments and new item types.
Science and Mathematics
- Comprehensive knowledge of a relevant field of specialty in order to develop science and mathematics items, tests, and related products that are closely aligned to the alternate academic achievement standards , including those related to the Common Core State Standards and individual state standards.
- Ability to approach science and mathematics item development in a way that shows understanding of best classroom practices for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
- Ability to respond quickly, productively, and flexibly to a wide range of new assessments and new item types.
ETS believes in a Total Rewards philosophy for our employees, and they include:
- Health, Vision, Dental insurance plans to choose from
- Generous continuous learning support, from individual learning grants to up to 6 classes a year for tuition reimbursement as well as on-line learning access!
- Generous PTO and vacation time to balance your work and life
- Additional 8 hours of PTO for volunteer work
- Retirement plan (401(a)) and traditional Roth (403b) with company contribution
- Commuter Benefits, Pet Insurance, 1 year subscription to Calm App
ETS is mission driven and action oriented
- Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is at the forefront of the ETS employee's daily work. To further foster an inclusive environment ETS is home to a wide variety of Affinity groups that celebrate the diversity of our talented employees.
- How about cultivating growth, innovation, and continuous transformation for the next generation of rising professionals as leaders? ETS offers multiple Business Resource Groups (BRG) for you!
- Are you passionate about volunteering and being active in your career and community? ETS offers our Center for Advocacy & Philanthropy (CAAP) where we encourage ETS employees to become active volunteers in their communities and schools through the ETS Cares Giving Campaign. Our employees can support any 501c3 or eligible charity of their choice.
ETS is an Equal Opportunity Employer comprised of people with different experiences, strengths, and backgrounds who share a passion for advancing quality and equity in education. We are dedicated to building teams that reflect the various backgrounds, experiences, and identities of those we serve. The Talent Acquisition team strives to ensure candidates enjoy a fair and equitable hiring process. We believe our differences empower us to be a better team, making better decisions and delivering better results.
Keyword: special education, with a focus on students with significant cognitive disabilities is preferred.
