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Assessment Item Writer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Freelance Economics Subject Matter Expert

Dallas, TX · Remote

$19.75 - $25.25/hr

... an assessment writing and accuracy check project. This is a remote freelance opportunity with ... Item writing experience * Dual/concurrent careers as educators and practitioners * If interested ...

Freelance Economics Subject Matter Expert

Dallas, TX · On-site +1

$19.75 - $25.25/hr

... an assessment writing and accuracy check project. This is a remote freelance opportunity with ... Item writing experience * Dual/concurrent careers as educators and practitioners If interested ...

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Assessment Item Writer information

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How much do assessment item writer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for assessment item writer in the United States is $24.13, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $26.92 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an Assessment Item Writer do?

An Assessment Item Writer creates questions and tasks for tests, exams, or instructional materials. They ensure that items align with learning objectives, follow testing standards, and accurately measure knowledge or skills. Writers may work in education, certification, or corporate training settings, developing multiple-choice, open-ended, or performance-based questions. Strong research, writing, and subject matter expertise are essential for success in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Assessment Item Writer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assessment Item Writer, you need expertise in curriculum standards, subject matter knowledge, and strong writing skills, often supported by a degree in education or a relevant field. Familiarity with test development software, item banking platforms, and standards-alignment tools is frequently required. Attention to detail, creativity, and the ability to adapt to feedback are important soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure the creation of accurate, clear, and effective assessment items that align with educational objectives and meet quality standards.

What are some common challenges faced by Assessment Item Writers, and how can they be addressed?

Assessment Item Writers often encounter challenges such as aligning questions with specific learning objectives, ensuring items are free from bias, and meeting tight deadlines. Staying up-to-date with curriculum changes and understanding diverse student populations can also require ongoing professional development. Addressing these challenges typically involves collaborating with subject matter experts, participating in item reviews, and adhering to best practices in test development. Proactive communication, continuous learning, and openness to feedback are key strategies for overcoming obstacles and producing high-quality assessment materials.

More about Assessment Item Writer jobs
What cities are hiring for Assessment Item Writer jobs? Cities with the most Assessment Item Writer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Assessment Item Writer jobs? The most popular types of Assessment Item Writer jobs are:
What states have the most Assessment Item Writer jobs? States with the most job openings for Assessment Item Writer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Assessment Item Writer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 53% Full Time, 44% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,192 per year, or $24.1 per hour.
Project Based Freelance Contributor - Assessment Item Specialist, Social Studies (Remote, US)

Project Based Freelance Contributor - Assessment Item Specialist, Social Studies (Remote, US)

Newsela

Remote

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Why You'll Love This Role:
As an Assessment Item Specialist for Social Studies, you will play a key role in expanding the Newsela Item Bank, ensuring students have access to high-quality, inquiry-based assessments. You will leverage your Social Studies expertise to create rigorous, standards-aligned content and evaluate primary and secondary sources that help educators deliver data-informed instruction. This role offers a collaborative, remote environment where your commitment to historical thinking and evidence-based analysis directly supports academic success in classrooms nationwide. You will enjoy the flexibility of a freelance contract while contributing to a platform that is a staple in K-12 digital learning.
What You'll Be Doing:
  • Create original, standards-aligned Social Studies assessment items, tasks, and stimuli that are precisely mapped to state-specific standards and the C3 Framework.
  • Select and curate high-quality primary and secondary sources, including maps, charts, and historical documents, that meet specific grade-level complexity and inquiry requirements.
  • Transfer and format existing Social Studies assessments and items from district and state sources directly into the Formative platform.
  • Produce and configure technology-enhanced items (TEIs) within the platform, ensuring accurate metadata tagging and flawless technical functionality.
  • Conduct systematic quality assurance reviews of Social Studies content to ensure all items are unbiased, culturally responsive, and meet strict editorial standards.
  • Validate content alignment and cognitive rigor by accurately evaluating the Depth of Knowledge (DOK) for every assessment item.
  • Provide expert platform feedback and recommendations regarding content tools and item bank features to continuously improve development workflows.

About You:
  • You are a professional assessment author with at least one year of direct experience writing and reviewing Social Studies assessment items on a commercial scale, such as for a reputable EdTech company, testing vendor, or educational publisher.
  • You are an assessment methodology expert who possesses a comprehensive understanding of educational assessment design, including formative, common, and summative assessments.
  • You are a standards and framework specialist with deep familiarity with state-specific social studies standards and the C3 Framework, along with a proven ability to apply strict standards alignment principles.
  • You demonstrate a mastery of rigor and Depth of Knowledge (DOK), allowing you to accurately classify and create items that meet specific cognitive rigor requirements, particularly in evaluating historical evidence and civic reasoning.
  • You are skilled in technical item production, bringing prior experience authoring technology-enhanced items (TEIs) and comfortably navigating digital assessment platforms.
  • You exhibit editorial excellence through a thorough grasp of established style guides and best practices, including critical quality control elements such as fairness, bias, and accessibility.
  • You are a reliable content producer with a proven track record of delivering high-quality work under tight deadlines with meticulous attention to detail.
  • Legally authorized to work in the US.

Why you'll love working at Newsela:
  • Work From Home: We are a fully remote company!
  • Make A Difference: No matter your role or department, the work you do each day helps share the future of education and improves the lives of students and teachers.
About Newsela:
Newsela is a leading education technology company dedicated to meaningful classroom learning for every student. We deliver integrated, AI-powered solutions designed to unlock student engagement, empower teachers, and drive meaningful learning outcomes. Our suite of products supports knowledge and skill development, writing practice, daily instruction, assessment, and data-informed decision-making across K-12 classrooms. Grounded in learning science research, Newsela's solutions integrate content, assessment, and analytics to help educators track progress, understand student outcomes, and deliver high-impact instruction that supports every learner.
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About Newsela

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

One of the fastest growing tech companies in K-12 education, Newsela was founded on the principle that while every child may have unique learning preferences, they all deserve a rich learning experience that ignites a love of learning. We built our platform based on learning science research to deliver the most engaging, authentic content to modernize how teaching happens in the classroom. Along with interactive assessments and tools, we provide teachers with digital content at five reading levels -- from +100 of the best sources -- that is relevant to the diverse backgrounds and interests of their students.

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

New York, NY, US

Year founded

2012