Director Of Alternate Assessment

Position: DIRECTOR OF ALTERNATE ASSESSMENT
Arizona Department of Education

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

DIRECTOR OF ALTERNATE ASSESSMENT

Job Location:

Assessment and NAEP Section

Phoenix Location

Posting Details:

Salary: $78,000 - $82,500

Grade: 22

Closing Date: 03/05/2026

Job Summary:

* 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.

Job Duties:

* 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 the 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, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

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 Power Point

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

* Manage individuals, groups, and multiple projects

* Apply learning theory and psychological principles when developing assessments

* Implement the development of assessment in terms of grade level articulation, spiraling, content appropriateness, developmental appropriateness, and measurability of statements

* Ability and skill to communicate standards and assessment issues to lay persons, teachers, and administrators in a simple, clear, and easy to understand format

* Assist in the development and implementation of comprehensive plans for the state alternate testing program

Selective Preference(s):

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…