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High School Computer Science Integration Specialist

Employer
Chicago Public Schools - CPS
Location
Chicago, IL, US
Salary
Competitive

Job Details

The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has set ambitious goals to ensure that every child - in every school and every neighborhood - has access to a world-class learning experience from birth, resulting in graduation from high school college- and career-ready. Today, Chicago's public schools are considered by many to be a model for successful urban reform. CPS offers an environment that allows growth, encourages innovation, supports teamwork and fosters the belief that all students, given a positive experience, can learn.

The Computer Science for All Initiative is an innovative Computer Science (CS) education program that provides equity, empowerment and opportunities that maximize the innate potential of every student to transform and advance their community, nation and world. Recognizing that computer science and the knowledge of same are now integral to our global way of life, Chicago Public Schools has formed the Department of Computer Science to address this new core subject, instituting a new graduation requirement for high school students. The implementation of this initiative will provide a scaffolded foundation in computational thinking skills through the study of computer science, implementing CS education in compliance with ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) which includes CS as core and as part of STEM.

This role is needed to address the integration of computer science into the K-12 scope and sequence of Chicago Public School students. The CS Integration Specialist will work as part of a team of hands-on school support personnel that will help multiple stakeholders, including school, district and network leaders, teachers and others, to implement CS education by managing a set of assigned high schools to plan, coordinate, monitor, and track progress of computer science program implementation and integration from initiation through sustainability.

This position is grant funded. Continuation after December 21st 2019 is subject to renewal of the grant.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Create and maintain a customized integration plan for each assigned school:

• Consult with each school leader or their designees to gather information about program needs, objectives and measures of success.

• Based on information gathering and data analysis, research and develop plans that provide recommendations on personnel needs, technology needs, role of school community (teachers, tech co, parents, LSC, etc.), curriculum alignment and pathways.

• Meet regularly with school leaders to assist in the development of a culture of success around quality computer science implementation. Provide tools to support leadership growth in supporting teacher and student success in computer science.

• Analyze, gather, and document all relevant requirements and workflows for the teaching and learning of computer science, including but not limited to the impact on courses of study, streams of data and data capture, logical processes, computer lab or other learning environment requirements.

• Perform feasibility study to determine costs, time, compatibility with overall computer science initiative goals for all assigned schools. Identify gaps in each school's development based on department baselines. Develop, make adjustments to, and maintain work plans, outlining steps and timetables for developing programs accordingly. Ensure deadlines are met, resolve scheduling issues, and track personnel.

• Provide schedule for required teacher professional development, PD for other school personnel (principals, APs, counselors, etc.), as well as feedback on stakeholder PD participation.

• Perform intervention(s) on identified gaps by implementing existing or developing new appropriate interventions or programs to help create cultures or conditions of success in which computer science programs can flourish (independently create "what-ifs" for potential breakdown in the flow and implementation. This could include, but not be exclusive to "at-risk" locations, high instructor turnover schools, low enrollment school work-arounds, midstream budget reallocations, etc.) .

• Research and recommend proactive measures that may assist in CS integration such as availability of grants, student-based groups and activities, teacher development, or other opportunities that support the growth and success of computer science education in schools.

• Provide periodic reports on assigned schools' implementation progress to school and network management.

• Become familiar with curriculum catalog available to assigned schools in order to support curriculum and data staff to ensure regular assessments are available and implemented in classrooms. Assist in the gathering of relevant data, working with Research personnel when appropriate, assisting with the coordinated turnaround from data gathering, to analysis and reporting.

• Collaborate with integration colleagues and management to create a program effectiveness framework; create or leverage existing feedback systems that allow for quick adjustment, and report program status regularly and for multiple stakeholder groups.

• Organize Research personnel visits and activities such as focus groups, surveys and other activities to minimize classroom disruption.

• Interface regularly with Teacher Advisory Council members by bringing issues observed or reported on during regular school visits to be addressed by the Council. Work with lead curriculum staff to create workflows for Council members such that shared issues are addressed within a reasonable timeframe.

• Work with CS curriculum personnel to evaluate new curricula and to monitor the implementation of various curricula in assigned schools.

• Document procedures and best practices as they are developed.

• Monitor performance of programs after initial launch through multiple cycles of school-year implementation. Communicate status to stakeholders such as network chiefs and other senior leaders.

• Assist CS Department with outreach events and activities such as open houses, orientations, and other activities that build a culture of understanding around CS education and recruitment.

• Other duties as required.

This position requires that candidate be able to travel to various schools in the CPS district every week .

Requirements

• Proactively take the initiative to learn the general operations and culture of public education, with a focus on either the K-8 or 9-12 space, with an additional emphasis on computer science and STEM education. This position is expected to proactively keep current on computer science education principles.

• Quickly identify the necessary skillsets required to run a quality computer science program at each school.

• Regularly perform environmental scans in order to gather best practices and examples of excellence from the field.

• Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university preferred or commensurate experience. Master's degree a plus.

• A minimum of 3-5 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• K-12 teaching experience and/or district or school-level administrative experience preferred.

• Knowledge of technical pathways, articulation or dual credit a plus.

• Curriculum planning and development experience a plus.

• Familiarization with educational grants is a great plus.

Office Skill Literacy To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of

• Google Doc systems

• Microsoft Office products, with an emphasis on analysis with Excel, Word and PowerPoint

• Contact Management systems or database software a plus

• Knowledge of HTML or web development software a plus

Residency Requirement: As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of his or her CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.

Company

Chicago Public Schools is truly a district on the rise. The last five years have been an unprecedented success for CPS, and during that time, our district has emerged as a beacon of what is achievable for large urban school districts across the country. Our mission is to provide a high-quality public education for every child, in every neighborhood, that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life.

Company info
Telephone
773-553-1000
Location
42 W Madison St
Chicago
IL
60602
US

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