Description

Position Overview

Accessible Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Systems (ATLAS), a research center at the University of Kansas (KU), is seeking a Test Development Coordinator (TDC) for our Accessibility Test Development team. The TDC will support the production of operational, standards-based assessments by participating in test development efforts. These efforts span from initial item authoring to final operational test form construction. The TDC will primarily focus on ensuring that all our assessment items support valid interpretations of test scores, adhere to industry best practices, and appropriately elicit observable evidence of targeted cognition for both general populations and for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities by contributing expertise with test accommodations and accessibility best practices.

Successful applicants will demonstrate deep and thorough expertise with the student populations. They will also have a general understanding of next generation academic and curricular standards for multiple content areas (Mathematics, English Language Arts, Science and Social Studies). They will be familiar with a range of either classroom approaches and/or standardized assessment approaches to collecting evidence of student mastery of curricular standards, particularly for students with cognitive disabilities. ATLAS applies principles of Evidence Centered Design (ECD) to its test design and development processes, and therefore familiarity and expertise in these principles in an assessment context is a plus.

ATLAS promotes learning and improved outcomes for all students, with a focus on students with disabilities and struggling learners. ATLAS creates technology-based learning and assessment systems that are accessible and academically rigorous. Dynamic research on skill development, assessment design, and teacher professional development informs the center's map-based learning systems.

With a diverse portfolio of grant-funded research projects and operational alternate assessments, ATLAS is a leader in educational research and innovation. ATLAS drives progress through partnerships and collaborations with organizations that share its focus and commitment.

ATLAS is committed to creating policies and practices that foster a culture in which all employees feel they belong and can succeed.

Visit the ATLAS website to learn how the center improves the learning landscape for all students.

KU employees have great benefits!

• 176 hours of paid vacation per year
• 72 hours of sick leave per year
• 10 paid holidays
• Medical and dental insurance
• Retirement program
• Life and disability insurance
• Educational and professional development opportunities

Visit the KU benefits website for more information.

KU's excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other's success. We foster a culture of care where each person is valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.

KU is not able to provide immigration sponsorship for this position.

Due to complex state employment laws, the University of Kansas may be unable to hire fully remote workers for this position outside of Kansas. Specifically, we cannot currently offer employment to candidates residing in the following states: California, Delaware, Idaho, and Minnesota. We appreciate your understanding and invite interested individuals from eligible states to apply.

Job Description

70% - Ensure expectations for accessibility, fairness, and quality assurance for items are met. Activities may include:

• Review and refine items to meet high standards of alignment and quality for students with accessibility needs in accordance with internal and external deadlines.
• Participate in projects to develop task models/construct definitions based in Evidence Centered Design principles and guiding the accessibility team to apply them consistently when reviewing items.
• Help to resolve external, expert feedback on test items and test forms.
• Facilitate discussions of item content with external experts under the mentorship of senior test development professionals and a test development manager.
• Assist with training item writers to bolster a shared understanding of the target testing populations and interpretations of curricular standards.
• Collaborate with team members to build an institutional knowledge base, specifically around the population we serve, within the accessibility team and to share with the test development team more broadly.

20% - Coordinate and organize test development efforts, processes, and documentation. Activities may include:

• Contribute to and coordinate the identification, analysis, and improvement of existing processes and documentation to improve content validity.
• Review and edit test blueprints, performance level descriptors, responses to RFPs, and technical reports.
• Collaborate with the psychometric and technology teams to create ancillary testing materials, such as interpretive guides and score reports.
  • Review test delivery platform accessibility and recommend enhancements to support continuous improvement
• Collaborate with the psychometric and technology teams to create ancillary testing materials, such as interpretive guides, score reports, and website documents.

5% - Contribute subject matter expertise to grant-funded projects led by Lead Researchers and Principal Investigators.

5% - Special projects/other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), unclassified position.
• This position requires travel to Lawrence and/or other locations as needed, depending on the needs of the center and team.
• This position will require attendance at regularly scheduled meetings, onsite or through telecommunication platforms.

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in special education, psychology, or related field and 3 years standardized assessment development experience OR Master's in special education, psychology, or related field and at least 2 years of standardized assessment development experience.
2. At least three years of experience working with populations with significant cognitive disabilities.
3. At least three years of experience using technology including Microsoft Office products, Zoom, and/or other web-based systems as evidenced in application materials.
4. Excellent written communication skills in English as evidenced by application materials.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.

Additional Candidate Instruction

A complete application consists of:

1. The University of Kansas online application
2. A cover letter that describes how you meet the required and preferred qualifications
3. A Resume or CV
4. Contact information for three (3) professional references

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application review begins Monday, March 9th and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and procedures and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator as provided herein or using the Title IX online report form and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or using the Title IX online complaint form.