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Executive Director of Assessment

Program Manager Senior III

Recruitment #23-005484-0018

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Introduction

The Maryland State Department of Education is dedicated to supporting a world-class educational system that prepares all students for college and career success in the 21st century. With excellent stewardship from our divisions, we oversee State and federal programs that support the needs of a diverse population – students, teachers, principals, and other educators throughout Maryland.

GRADE

State Salary Grade 25

Salary Range: $102,170 – $133,131 (with possible progression to $164,752) 

*State Salary Guidelines apply for current State employees.

 

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

Note: All MSDE positions require in-person/on-site reporting.

Main Purpose of Job

The Executive Director of Assessment, Analytics, and Learning provides visionary leadership, oversight and management of the research based, best-in-class assessment reporting program to make assessments matter, target student improvement, accelerate student learning, and fulfill federal and state reporting requirements. The Executive Director is responsible for multiple programs in the Division of Assessment, Accountability and Performance Reporting (DAAPR) to support students across Maryland’s 24 Local Education Agencies (LEAs). Additionally, the Executive Director will lead special projects in support of the implementation of Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and Maryland State Board of Education’s multi-year Strategic Plan and the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.

The Executive Director is responsible for the assessment reporting of the results of all Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) to students, families, and educators. The Executive Director provides leadership for the effective delivery and continuous improvement of the assessment reporting program, managing staff and vendors to ensure the coordination of activities for the annual release of the MCAP reporting. This position provides oversight for the implementation of reporting enhancements including direct access for families to personalized assessment results.

The Executive Director is responsible for providing leadership in the strategic analysis and monitoring of the MCAP program including fulfilling federal and state requirements of the statewide assessment program. This position overseas the analysis of the assessment data to support the development of innovative assessment reporting in support of accelerating student learning for students ‘on the cusp’ of proficiency, targeted remediation, and accelerating learning using statewide assessment data. This position oversees the implementation of performance metrics to ensure that the statewide assessments do matter and are making a difference for students, families, and educators. Monitoring of the assessment program include overseeing activities related to test security, federal peer review, the management of the assessment Blueprint, alignment of the MCAP assessments to the Maryland College and Career Readiness Standards, and alignment to national assessments including NAEP.

The Executive Director is responsible for the use of assessment reporting in support of learning. This position provides leadership in the use of statewide summative assessment results and data for learning including the implementation of diagnostic tools and formative assessments. This position will provide oversight for the implementation of diagnostic assessments for K-3 assessments, through-year assessments, and leadership for future formative MCAP enhancements. This position will lead intra- and inter-divisional work in support of using assessment data for targeted student and school improvement, provide expertise to MSDE staff and LEA staff in the use of assessment data reporting for both professional learning and student learning. This position will lead the development of material for understanding assessment data including guidance documents, presentations, webinars, and videos.

The Executive Director works closely with key stakeholders including Local Accountability Coordinators to ensure initiatives are successfully implemented and yield positive results for schools and local education agencies. This position provides technical assistance to MSDE and LEA staff on Maryland administered assessments. This position provides detailed attention to all work activities and maintains that attention to detail while working with urgency amidst competing priorities.

POSITION DUTIES

Provides direction and leadership for the MCAP reporting program across all grades and high school statewide assessments in mathematics, English language arts/literacy, social studies, integrated science, kindergarten readiness assessment, alternate assessments, and formative/ diagnostic statewide assessments.

•  Direct and provide oversight for all aspects of the MCAP assessment reporting program ensuring quality data is available to schools, educators, and students in a timely manner.

•  The MCAP reporting program provides individual student reports (ISRs) to students and families and meet federal and state reporting requirements.

•  The MCAP reporting program provides reports to Maryland educators including item analysis reports, evidence statement reports, and content and reporting category reports in a timeline that supports student learning.

•  The MCAP reporting program provides data for all federally required assessment from the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and include by content annually in grades 3-8 and once HS in English Language Arts (ELA), annually in grades 3-8 and once in HS in mathematics, in grades 5, 8 and once in HS in science, and in grades K-12 the English language proficiency assessments.

•  The MCAP reporting program provides data for all state required assessments including the administration of social studies in grade 8, Government in HS, and the kindergarten readiness assessment (KRA).

•  Fulfill the MSDE strategic plan and Blueprint for Maryland’s Future requirement to make assessments matter through the implementation of a personalized portal for student results.

•  Direct, coordinate and oversee project management for the MCAP including ensuring deliverables from vendors and partners are on time and on budget. 

•  Direct, coordinate and oversee staff and vendors to ensure the successful publication of assessment reporting including item analysis reports, evidence statement reports, summary reports, and category reports.

•  Provide recommendations to the Assistant State Superintendent on vendor contracts, resolve issues and manages risks to ensure a successful assessment reporting program.

•  Protects confidentiality of records and information and uses discretion in sharing information.


Provides direction and leadership for the MCAP strategic analytics and monitoring program critical to achieving a measurable outcome related to the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program.

•  Direct, oversee, coordinate, and assist in developing, implementing, and monitoring performance measures to ensure assessment reporting programs are implemented in a service level based, customer service-oriented approach and fulfill the MSDE strategic plan and Blueprint for Maryland’s Future requirement to make assessments matter.

•  Direct, oversee, coordinate transitions and potential changes to the state testing program including required updates to the assessment Blueprints.

•  Plans and manages the provision of accurate and insightful analysis pertaining to the state testing data to support enhancements to the reporting system and professional and student learning.

•  Oversees the successful NAEP administration to fulfill federal requirements, and PISA to support Blueprint requirements.

•  Plans and assists in the alignment and analysis of NAEP assessments with Maryland content standards.

•  Strengthen procedures and training for all stakeholder groups to ensure test security and through the development of effective methods of investigating and tracking test irregularities and violations.

•  Monitor assessments to ensure assessments meet accessibility requirements for students with disabilities and English learners.


Provides direction and leadership in the use of statewide assessment results and data to support professional and student learning including the successful implementation and use of data from diagnostic tools and formative assessments.

•  Direct and oversee the implementation of diagnostic assessments including K-3 with potential expansion into additional grades.

•  Direct and coordinate cross office teams to successfully implement assessment programs and priorities in alignment with the Department’s strategic plan and the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.

•  Direct and oversee the implementation of any through-year assessments in alignment with the Department’s strategic plan and the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.

•  Lead and coordinate the intra- and inter-divisional collaboration to continuously improve upon the assessment reporting program, incorporating feedback to ensure successful use of assessment reports.

•  Direct, oversee, and coordinate the development of material and resources to support making assessments matter including communication material, presentations, memos, webinars, training resources, and multi-media for leadership, LEAs, and the public.

•  Plan and conduct technical training related to the reporting of assessment data and interpretation of student achievement data.

•  Collaborate and assist in the alignment of assessments with instructional programs and content standards to support professional development from MSDE.

•  Provide technical expertise to MSDE staff, local accountability coordinators (LACs) and instructional staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university.

Experience: Five (5) years of experience working with large scale accountability systems, school performance, assessment, and program analysis and reporting initiatives; and/or high-leverage and large scale education programs in school district, nonprofit, governmental entity, and/or university settings. Experience must include successfully supervising, evaluating, and/or coaching professional staff.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree or the equivalent of 36 credit hours of post-baccalaureate course work in Math, English Language Arts, Science, English as a Second Language (ESL), Special Education, or related area for two years of the required experience directly related to the position.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience at a rank of Corporal/Petty Officer or higher as a commissioned officer in Education Program classifications or Education Program specialty codes in the Education field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education, one year of which must have been in an administrative supervisory or consultative capacity.

SELECTIVE QUALIFICATIONS

Documented and measurable track record of success and impact through data analysis, research, compilation, and/or reporting programs and initiatives.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must consent to State and FBI (CJIS) background check as a routine procedure for all employees.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

It is preferred that applicants complete the MD State Government online application for employment. The application must clearly demonstrate that the applicant meets the minimum qualifications for the position. If the applicant is unable to apply online, paper applications can be obtained from the link below and be faxed to 410-333-8950 or mailed to MSDE Office of Human Resources, 200 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. If there is a supplemental questionnaire, this must be completed and sent in with your paper application, if you are unable to apply online.

All application materials must be received in our office by the closing date. Postmarks will not be accepted. Applications must be complete to be considered including all related job duties, even if those are also listed on an attached resume. Additional required materials may be uploaded with the online application, submitted to the fax number, or mailed to the address listed.

Inquiries can be made to 410-767-0019, TDD 410-333-3045. Appropriate accommodations can be made for individuals with disabilities.

If you have difficulty with your user account or have general questions about this online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850. TTY Users: Call via Maryland Relay.

Proof of eligibility to work is required in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Any misrepresentation of academic or experience requirements for this position may result in non-selection or termination of employment.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.




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