English Learner (EL) Testing Specialist

Job Description:

The English Learner Testing Specialist is responsible for administering English language proficiency and other
screener assessments to students registering for school in ACPS who have a primary home language other than
English, interpreting results and sharing results with families, coordinating the annual division-wide English
language proficiency testing administration in collaboration with the Department of Accountability, and for
providing on-going assessment related training and guidance to school-based staff.

The English Learner Testing Specialist position is in the Office of English Learner Services. The Specialist works
closely with families and students who have a primary home language other than English, school-based and EL
Office registrars, and with the parent outreach coordinator in the Welcome Center of the Office of English Learner
Services. They will provide leadership, expertise and technical assistance on issues related to the assessment of
English learner students, and will report to the head of the EL Office Welcome Center.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required, Master's Degree perferred.

• Licensure/Certifcates: Valid Virginia Department of Education license required or eligibility to obtain one, with an endorsement in English as a Second Language perrferred.

• Experience: English learner job-related experience, with increasing levels of leadership or responsibility.

Essential Functions:

• Administer English language proficiency and other screener assessments to students enrolling in ACPS who have a language other than English in the home, interpret the assessment results, convey results to families, and make grade placement and course recommendations.
• Collaborate closely with school-based staff and central office staff, and respond to requests from other school districts for student assessment information.
• Coordinate with preschool administrators to schedule the ELP (English Language Proficiency) screening of rising kindergartners with a home language other than, or in addition to, English listed on their home language survey.
• Coordinate with school administrators and registrars to schedule the ELP screening of students with a home language other than, or in addition to, English on their home language survey and were registered by their zoned school registrar (typically limited to rising kindergartners).
• Complete key testing data entry for students who with a home language other than, or in addition to, English listed on their home language survey but were not registered by an EL Registrar.
• Maintain testing records and accompanying documents for students who had ELP screening completed at the school level.
• Recruit, train, and manage temporary assessors to assist during peak registration periods, as well as the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs test window.
• Understand federal, state and local laws and policies as they relate to the identification, placement and assessment of English learner students.
• Understand the requirements in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by ESSA, withregard to the assessment of English learner students, and communicate the requirements to school personnel.
• In collaboration with the Department of Accountability and Research, support the annual English language proficiency assessment administration, provide training, and meet the professional development and support needs of teachers administering the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs test.
• Collaborate with the Department of Technology Services, Department of Accountability and Research and key EL leaders to ensure the EL Assessment Participation Plans are aligned with key current stat requirements, and individually updated on an annual basis.
• Communicate with school-based EL leaders regarding EL teachers' responsibilities to document their monitoring of EL students who exited in the past two years, and initiating the reclassification process if needed.
• Ensure appropriate supplies and materials are provided for teachers and all other division staff responsible for the implementation of the annual English proficiency assessment for EL students.
• Stay current on federal, state and local policies and requirements in the field of assessment of English learner students, and maintain and update appropriate assessment sections in the ACPS website and Canvas platform.
• Perform other duties as required.

Key Competencies:

• Demonstrated strong interpersonal relationship skills and leadership skills necessary to work effectively in a culturally and linguistically diverse community with students, families, teachers, administrators and central office personnel.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, and to present effectively.
• Ability to collaborate well with diverse groups of people.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, organize and prioritize work.
• Knowledge of English language proficiency assessments, including the WIDA Consortium assessments.
• Knowledge of large-scale academic achievement assessment requirements, as they relate to English learner students.
• Knowledge of the WIDA English proficiency levels and language instruction educational programs for English learner students.
• Proficiency in Google Suite, specifically Google Sheets, Google Docs and Google Drive.
• Bilingualism preferred.
• Education experience preferred.

Clearances:

• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance.
• Tuberculosis Skin Test.

Public Health Compliance

• Must follow safety and health protocols.

WP