Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)

POSITION SUMMARY:
This position is responsible for providing leadership and professional development on the use of assessments and tests as required to support continuous improvement. The incumbent will work closely with the Director of Program Evaluation, Research and Assessment (PERA) to meet the department’s responsibility of overseeing all assessment and testing within the district. The incumbent will provide guidance and technical support on using assessments, lead the coordination of district and state-mandated assessments, manage assessment data and reporting, and provide professional development on using assessment data to improve curriculum and instructional practices, school- and district-level accountability for student achievement and success, and district intervention and support programs.

PRIMARY JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provide consultation and support on educational assessments and testing.
• Coordinate and manage all district and state assessments.
• Develop and coordinate professional development associated with assessment administration and best practice strategies for interpreting and using results.
• Analyze achievement and assessment data to support Teaching and Learning Services.
• Prepare and disseminate school- and district-level reports associated with assessment data.
• Present data to appropriate groups.
• Support sites and departments in organization and analysis of data and provide training for continuous improvement data practices.
• Assist in compliance of federal, state, and local policies and procedures regarding assessment and accountability.
• Collaborate with the Director of PERA and Teaching and Learning staff on developing the district assessment calendar.
• Collaborate with the Director of PERA to coordinate the District Data and Assessment Committee.
• Additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT & COORDINATION:

• Provide leadership and technical support for educational assessment and testing, including consultation on the selection and use of assessments.
• Maintain knowledge about all current assessment trends and strategies.
• Serve as the District Assessment Coordinator, the primary point of contact for the MN Department of Education and school assessment teams to coordinate the administration of assessments.
• Develop and lead training on administering student assessments and appropriate uses of assessment data.
• Develop and coordinate procedures for test registration and rostering, collecting and transferring data, and analysis and reporting of assessment results.
• Collaborate with and support district service and school staff to use data for continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with curriculum and professional development specialists to educate staff in effective assessment practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

DATA MANAGEMENT & ANALYSIS:

• Maintain and analyze assessment data for reporting.
• Prepare reports and data visualizations of assessment data.
• Complete analysis of assessment data to support the work of Teaching and Learning Services.
• Collaborate with technology staff, student Information staff, and external vendors to securely transfer data across data systems.

COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS:

• Communicates clearly and respectfully with the MN Department of Education to ensure the district is in compliance with state testing mandates and statutes.
• Communicates clearly and respectfully with school administrators and assessment teams to support the administration of assessments.
• Communicates with students, parents, co-workers, supervisors, and the community in a positive and responsive way that is consistently welcoming and enhances effective work relationships.
• Communicates clearly and respectfully with assessment and testing vendors to adhere to testing administration procedures and rules.
• Communicates with data system vendors to ensure the secure transfer of data.
• Demonstrates an appreciation of diversity in all interactions and job functions.
• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Communicate assessment results in a clear and understandable manner, including providing accurate interpretation of results.
• Demonstrates strong and clear presentation skills.
• Participates on local and state level committees and task forces as needed.