Senior Item Writer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ELA Test Development Specialist

Summary

Test Development Specialists for English Language Arts support all steps in the development of statewide testing programs, including the development of content-specific assessment passages and items, item specifications, test blueprints, and ancillary materials. They also support the development of statewide testing programs by facilitating committee reviews, including bias reviews, item-data reviews, standard settings, and alignment studies. They work directly with Senior Test Development Specialists, Managers, and Directors of Test Development to help plan and organize the flow of work for assigned assessment items or sections of projects. As needed, they assign tasks to support staff, including freelance contractors, passage and item writers, item-development coordinators, and/or other project team members. They may also work directly with content-area counterparts in state departments of education with the expectation of building strong, client-focused relationships.  

Position Responsibilities

• Works directly with Senior Test Development Specialists, Project Leads, Managers, and Directors to deliver on time all assigned items, tests, and/or other assigned step in the item and test development process, including, but not limited to, the following:
• Developing domain-specific item development plans
• Developing domain-specific specifications and domain-specific test blueprints
• Developing domain-specific item specifications and passage specifications, as required
• Developing domain-specific style guides
• Developing domain-specific item writer training manuals, including bias and universal design manuals
• Facilitating item writer workshops for a given domain or assigned project
• Writing, reviewing, revising, and editing items for a given domain and/or assigned project
• Developing scoring guidelines and rubrics for constructed-response and performance assessments and supporting range-finding activities for a given domain or assigned project
• Developing forms (including all steps in the forms construction process for pilot, field test, and operational) for a given domain and/or assigned test
• Supporting the development of test ancillaries for a given domain (test directions, practice tests, etc.)
• Provide support for the final review process for assigned items and/or other items and tests, including ancillaries
• Provide support for the final sign-off of printers’ proofs and/or other steps requiring test development sign-off, including directory of test specifications as needed for a given domain or assigned project
• As needed, provide support for the facilitation of state committee reviews, including content item and bias reviews, alignment studies, and standard-settings 
• Other duties as assigned 
• This position will be based in our Maple Grove, MN headquarters, although hybrid and/or remote candidates will be considered.

Qualifications

• BS in education or related field, MS in education or related field preferred
• Minimum of three years of teaching experience in English Language Arts at the elementary, middle school or high school level or related experience
• In-depth knowledge of English Language Arts, including curriculum and instruction
• General knowledge of assessment trends and test publishing industry standards
• Knowledge of teaching “best practices” in English Language Arts
• Experience working with special populations is a plus, e.g., English language learners or special education
• Experience working in teams
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Ability to solve problems and find solutions to complex issues when writing, reviewing, and/or revising items and/or constructing test forms
• Ability to adjust to changing circumstances and direction as required
• Willingness to travel for periods lasting up to one week

Preferred

• Knowledge of national and state-specific curriculum standards  
• Experience in writing and editing test items
• Experience in constructing test forms
• Basic computer skills

Essential Job Functions

• Report to work promptly when scheduled
• Be able to work under supervision and accept feedback 
• Relate effectively and work respectfully with diverse work groups
• Ability to consistently perform well during times of increased workload
• Set and meet deadlines