Arizona Department of Education

The Arizona Department of Education is a service organization committed to raising academic outcomes and empowering parents.

Assessment and NAEP Section

Phoenix Location

Salary: $78,000 - $82,500 

Grade: 22

Closing Date: 05/29/2024

• This position will assist in the establishment and implementation of a variety of committees that will help determine the technical adequacy of two Alternate Assessments. Item writing, standard setting, bias and content reviews and alignment will be addressed. It will have substantive input into the disposition of all confidential information pertaining to the alternate assessment(s). This input might pertain to appeals received from public education agencies (PEAs). There may also be procurement matters that the position will address. This position's responsibilities include assisting in developing, coordinating, and facilitating standard setting, alignment studies and other research-based activities that are valid and reliable for both of Arizona's Alternate Assessments based on Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (AA-AAAS).
• Occasional in-state and out-of-state travel is required for this position.

• Serve as a contact person regarding state mandated Alternate Assessments, develop and prepare manuals, reports, and procedures for Alternate Assessment
• Respond to calls, emails, letters from LEA test coordinators, superintendents/charter holders, educators, parents, students and general public
• Serve as the liaison between ADE support teams (IT) and vendors
• Attend Exceptional Student Services staff meetings
• Coordinate item development, content review, bias review, standard settings, alignment, and articulation meetings ensuring compliance with NCLB federal requirements
• Provide ongoing support and assistance (technical and instructional) to the field
• Develop presentation materials, give presentations, and conduct workshops on Alternate Assessment (s) test administration
• Monitor the administration of the state mandated Alternate Assessment testing programs

Knowledge in:
• Arizona's Alternate Assessments based on Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (AA-AAAS), Norm Referenced Test concepts and Standards-based (Criterion) Referenced Test concepts
• Knowledge and ability to understand the implementation of a systemic model of standards, assessment, and instruction
• Standards based practice and data driven instruction
• Program planning; leadership principles; learning theory; curriculum, instruction, assessment principles; professional development, and the Arizona Academic Content Standards
• State and federal laws and implementing regulations in special education and assessment
• The role of other state and private agencies in the provision of services to children with disabilities
• Effective instructional strategies and curriculum for regular and special education
• A Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field or equivalent experience to substitute for the degree, is required
• Applicants must have experience in curriculum and assessment at the school and district level and experience in special education
• Applicants must be certified in Special Education
Skills in:
• Organizational management
• Multi-tasking
• Team building
• Problem solving
• Program planning, development, and execution
• Communication, both verbal and written
• Editing
• Time management
• Intermediate skill in using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Ability to:
• Provide high quality customer services to various stakeholders
• Assemble and oversee large groups of participants on assessment development projects
• Communicate information, directions, and instructions regarding complex projects to all levels of personnel and the general public, using both written and verbal forms of communication, in a clear and precise manner for the target audience
• Coordinate a variety of individuals from diverse professional backgrounds
• Manage the development of instructional manuals, reports, and procedural documentation
• Effectively collaborate with other staff members
• Apply learning theory and psychological principals when developing assessments
• Implement the development of assessment in terms of grade level articulation, spiraling, content appropriateness, developmental appropriateness, and measurability of statements
• Assist in the development and implementation of comprehensive plans for the state alternate testing program

Preference will be given to those applicants with:
• An advanced degree and prior work experience with students with significant cognitive disabilities
• Independent readings of federal and state laws and Arizona Administrative Code
• Awareness of organizational structure through work experience within a school/local education agency by teaching or administration
• Supervisory Experience

• (Early Childhood positions) Applicants must have a valid Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card or the ability to obtain one prior to employment start date.
• Offers are contingent upon successful completion of all background and reference checks, required documents and, if applicable, a post-offer medical/physical evaluation.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:
• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
• Ten paid holidays per year
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

You will be required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) upon your 27th week of employment, subject to waiting period. On or shortly after, your first day of employment you will be provided with enrollment instructions and effective date.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 542-3186 or emailing Human.Resources@azed.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.