Education Program Specialist - Special Education

Serves as an unclassified employee pursuant to Section 3301.13 RC and performs the following educational and/or research duties:

Education

Acts as an education program specialist for the Office for Exceptional Children in conjunction with the Office of Assessment by monitoring and implementing policies and procedures relating to the alternate assessment for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities:

• Coordinates and oversees the development and administration of Ohio Statewide Assessments, specifically the alternate assessment.
• Communicates statewide assessment policies, legislature, federal statute and regulations.
• Monitors contractors for content, deliverables and compliance to ensure statewide assessments and related materials are formatted, reviewed, printed and distributed to districts/schools by deliverable dates.
• Provides ongoing planning and communication regarding the development of assessments and ancillary materials, administration procedures and scoring and reporting procedures.
• Monitors contractors to ensure effective development and implementation of the statewide assessments for Ohio, especially the alternate assessment.
• Participates in quality control of online and paper-based statewide assessments.
• Coordinates ESSA state compliance activities for alternate assessment participation.
• Communicates state eligibility guidelines for the alternate assessment.
• Annually reviews and makes public alternate assessment participation data. Coordinates Ohio’s system of general supervision for alternate assessment participation.
• Develops reports on state compliance activities for alternate assessment participation.
  
  

Provides Technical Assistance To School Officials, Parents, Students And The Public Regarding The Administration Of Statewide Assessments For Ohio In Accordance With ORC And OAC (e.g., Assists With Understanding Administration Process And Results)

• Interprets and explains testing policies including proper application of test accommodations for students with disabilities;
• Develops guidelines for accessibility features and accommodations for state assessments;
• Researches and evaluates applications of emerging and innovative technology relative to state assessments and makes recommendations for their use;
• Ensures current assessment information is available through a variety of sources (e.g., web, email, newsletters, webinars, web conferencing, social media, reports);
• Reviews changing state and federal laws, best practices, and educational data and research and recommends policy changes as needed;
• Monitors alternate assessment test progress and administration according to established rules and procedures;
• Facilitates and/or attends committee meetings;
• Develops training materials and presentations and presents information to groups;
• Administers, reviews, and approves alternate assessment tiered support and monitoring by providing technical assistance during the development of corrective action plans for compliance issues;
• Provides technical assistance and training to statewide systems of support.
  
  

Performs Other Duties As Assigned

• Participates and organizes statewide meetings for administrators, teachers, and parents of students with disabilities;
• Conducts workshops and makes presentations.
  
  

Unusual Working Conditions: Requires travel throughout State of Ohio & may require overnight stay. (Must be willing and able to secure a valid Driver’s License OR supply your own transportation.)

Minimum Qualifications

• 6 year’s experience providing support and services to children with disabilities including students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.
• OR-
• 6 years experience providing support and services to those who work with children with disabilities including students with the most significant cognitive disabilities (i.e., teacher, administrator, professional development provider, technical assistance provider).
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of a Master’s degree in one of the following areas: Education [i.e., special education, educational administration/leadership, curriculum (core academic content), assessment, English learner, psychology (i.e., school psychology, educational psychology), educational guidance/counseling].
• 6 year’s experience providing support and services to children with disabilities including students with the most significant cognitive disabilities;
• OR-
• 6 years experience providing support and services to those who work with children with disabilities including students with the most significant cognitive disabilities (i.e., teacher, administrator, professional development provider, technical assistance provider).
  
  

Job Skills: Educational support

Organization

Education and Workforce

Agency Contact Name and Information

Jacob Lowry - jacob.lowry@education.ohio.gov

Unposting Date

Jan 19, 2025, 11:59:00 PM

Work Location

25 South Front Street

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus

Compensation

$32.80

Schedule

Full-time

Work Hours

40 hours per week, M-F

Classified Indicator

Unclassified

Union

OCSEA

Primary Job Skill

Educational Support

Technical Skills

Computer Literacy, Customer Service, Educational support

Professional Skills

Active Learning, Critical Thinking, Decision Making, Problem Solving, Time Management

Agency Overview

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is a diverse team of passionate, education-focused professionals responsible for overseeing and enhancing the quality of education for each of Ohio’s 1.7 million students. The Department provides the resources and supports essential to raising student achievement and accelerating learning opportunities, advancing the connectivity between K-12 and postsecondary learning, creating programs to support and expand workforce experiences, and ensuring students have the necessary supports to be ready each day to learn.

As the governing body responsible for overseeing and enhancing the quality of education within the State of Ohio, the Department of Education and Workforce is dedicated to promoting educational excellence and ensuring equal access to learning opportunities for all students. The Department is committed to collaborating with schools, districts, educators, students, families, businesses, nonprofits and all stakeholders to achieve our educational goals.