Testing Coordinator

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 Office of Access and Enrollment (OAE) focuses on matching students with high-quality schools and programs designed to meet all student needs, interests, and skill choices. These program choices include magnet schools, magnet cluster schools, open enrollment schools, regional gifted centers, regional gifted centers for English Learners, classical schools, academic centers, the international gifted program, selective enrollment high schools, International Baccalaureate programs, college and career academies, and Service Learning Academies.

OAE coordinates testing for more than 30,000 students for elementary and high school selective enrollment programs. The testing coordinator works under the supervision of the Testing Manager to assist in the identification and selection of gifted and academically talented students. The coordinator counsels and educates parents, students, school administrators, teachers, and the community at large regarding the guidelines of existing programs and services within CPS.

The testing coordinator commits to high professional standards and ethics for the field of special education and ensures the accommodations and modifications as legally delineated on the Individualized Education Program or 504 Plan are executed at a high level of fidelity.

The testing coordinator for OAE will report to the Testing Manager, and will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Organize, track, plan and schedule testing for students with disabilities at the elementary and high school entry levels;
• Manage the testing site allocated for students with disabilities for the purpose of delivery of services conforming to guidelines and best practices;
• Establish/maintain internal and external partnerships to ensure high-quality results for students/parents/staff members;
• Provide training and support to interns, educators, and specialized service clinicians at the testing site;
• Assist in ensuring a healthy test environment is crafted for selective enrollment school applicants testing for programs;
• Administer assessments for general and special education students;
• Maintain assessment statistics;
• Use a data-driven approach as a tool to drive proactive decisions;
• Monitor CPS's database during the selective enrollment application period to investigate flagged applications of age/grade appropriateness;
• Provide guidelines and procedures to all interested stakeholders regarding the plethora of programs and services offered through CPS as well as those managed by OAE;
• Provide parents, teachers, and administrators with support and developmental educational counseling with regard to testing services in the identification of gifted and academically talented students for selective enrollment schools;
• Assist in the planning and execution of assessment training workshops;
• Assist in the ordering and inventory of assessment materials for Selective Enrollment Schools;
• Assist in the hiring, training, assignment, and support of interns to assist with office and field related tasks;
• Represent the Office of Access and Enrollment at public functions in a professional manner;
• Maintain professional knowledge of current trends and best practices in the field; and
• Serve in other capacities as requested by the executive director of OAE.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the testing coordinator must possess the following qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work independently and function effectively in a team-oriented, collaborative environment;
• Ability to facilitate meetings and follow up with resulting action items;
• Ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressured environment;
• Ability to manage time effectively to achieve goals and completion of projects simultaneously;
• Ability to coordinate efforts of a team of diverse personnel including teachers, counselors, psychologists, and external partners;
• Rich experiences and knowledge in the field of special education;
• Proficiency with MS Office suite, particularly PowerPoint, Excel and Word;
• Experience in administering high stakes examinations at various grade levels;
• A record of accomplishment in academia or professional work;
• A high degree of accountability;
• People and customer service-oriented;
• Knowledge or experience in working with gifted populations; and
• Flexibility to work weekends during peak times of the year.

Type of Experience and Number of Years:

Five or more years of professional experience in an urban education setting reflective of teaching, mentoring, and leadership experiences, as well as working with diverse populations.

Education:

Bachelor's degree or higher in Education, Psychology, Counseling or a related field. Certification through the State of Illinois in special education is highly desirable. Type 04, 03, 09 or 10 and Type 75, or 73 desirable. Gifted Education Seminar desirable.