Instructional Support Specialist Iii-Special Education Paf#1245629

El Monte City School District Position Description Position: Instructional Support Specialist III Position Number:

Department/Site: FLSA: non-exempt Reports to/Evaluated by: Salary Grades: 11, 12, 13 Summary Performs a variety of activities in support of special instructional programs including special education, interagency, and district-wide subject matter.

Assists teachers and staff in development and implementation of programs, materials, and tests to enhance the student learning experience. This class covers SDC and other comparable programs. Distinguishing Career Features The Instructional Support Specialist III is the third in a four level career path for instructional support to teachers.

The Instructional Support Assistant I provides instructional assistance to general education classrooms where activities can be carried out by an incumbent who meets minimum NCLB requirements, namely the passing of a competency exam. Advancement to levels II-IV requires additional units, advanced knowledge, skill, and ability to work with special student populations, projects, or in specially recognized skill areas. Salary grade advancement is as follows: 12 semester units = grade 11; 24 semester units = grade 12; 48 semester units = grade 13.

Instructional Support Specialists II are typically assigned to Special Education RSP students or the equivalent who will rotate from special education to general education classrooms. Instructional Support Specialist II and above also possess the required educational background for NCLB. Instructional Support Specialists III are typically found in areas such as labs, cued speech translation, or special day class where additional specialization through education or certification is required and where work assignments have additional physical requirements.

The Instructional Support Specialists IV are trained specialists, usually in special education. The Instruction Support Specialists V specialize in district-wide programs and/or special subjects or disciplines such as but not limited to, math, music or sciences, where the incumbent will prepare materials and deliver in-service demonstrations. Instruction Support Specialists V will also use assistive and adaptive technologies to reinforce learning.

Again, the Instructional Support Assistant career path requires as a minimum, completion of 48 college transfer credit hours or successful completion of a rigorous academic assessment exam in order to comply with "no child left behind" requirements. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Works on an in-depth basis with small groups and/or individual students on special subjects and exercises, and/or with special needs (e.g., severely disabled) to execute individual lesson plans and strategies for maximizing learning experiences. Prepares and may develop age-grade appropriate instructional aids and exercises to support the curriculum being taught.

May assist special program administrators and/or teaching staff with preparation and presentation of in-service training sessions. Assist in organizing meetings, participate in meetings to share information about program to which assigned. Confers with teachers, specialists and parents to develop and evaluate individual and group educational goals and objectives.

Assist with implementation of special programs.

Administers assessment instruments (spelling tests, etc.), scores objective tests and written papers, and keeps appropriate records for teachers, including those on computerized student information and grading systems. Assists in training other instructional support specialists and other school personnel to administer, score and record achievement and diagnostic tests required by the program.

Assists in reclassifying students according to proficiency. Monitors classroom activities when a teacher is absent from the classroom. Accompanies students going from one location to another.

Observes, monitors, and controls behavior of students within approved procedures. Develops and uses incentives as positive reinforcement. Exercises constant supervision of children.

Assesses the need for, and uses appropriate discipline in accordance with grade level and student's ability to understand discipline. Reports student academic and behavior progress and performance to teachers. Documents student progress by correcting assignments, administering and scoring criterion referenced tests, recording and charting test scores and curriculum based measurements in reading.

Confers, as needed, with teachers, resource staff, and other school personnel concerning programs and materials to meet student needs. Alerts teacher to any special problems or information concerning students in assigned program.

Arranges and participates in parent conferences.

Assists special program administrative staff with the preparation and presentation of in service training sessions. Assist in organizing meetings, participate in meetings to share information about program to which assigned. Prepare and maintain a variety of files and records for classroom or assigned program.

Provides clerical and technical assistance to teachers such as researching and ordering books and school supplies, maintaining a workroom inventory. Reviews teachers' schedules and initiates requests for equipment and resource materials to support curriculum. Sets up and operates audiovisual equipment, computers, and other equipment that serves to assist and enhance instructional programs.

Assists with loading and unloading of students onto buses. Supervises lunches and snacks. Assures safety of students following health and safety rules.

May translate learning and related materials to a second language for students, parents, and teachers, in both classroom and conference environments. When working with severely disabled, may be required assist students with certain medical and hygiene functions. Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.

Qualifications Knowledge and Skills The position requires working knowledge of the principles and practices of age appropriate child development and guidance applicable for an educational setting. Requires working knowledge of the subjects taught in the District schools, including arithmetic, grammar, spelling, language and reading, with sufficient competency to assist students with individual or group studies. Requires a basic knowledge of teaching and instruction methods.

Requires knowledge of basic clerical and record keeping processes. Requires knowledge of special education programs. Requires knowledge of and skill at using personal computers, audiovisual, and other equipment to support learning, record information, and send communications.

Requires well-developed human relation skills to work productively and cooperatively with teachers, students, and parents in formal and informal settings, to exercise patience when conveying information to students having difficulty with verbal and written communications, and demonstrate sensitivity to the special needs of students. May require competency in a second language. Abilities Requires the ability to assist teaching staff with implementation of instructional goals and activities.

Requires the ability to assess the needs of individual students and develop instructional support techniques and materials to meet those needs. Requires the ability to interact with teachers, parents, and specialists in order to carry out assigned duties. Requires the ability to oversee students, administer assignments and tests, and perform general clerical tasks.

Requires the ability to make formal presentations to classes, individuals, and small groups of students and assist with demonstrations of assigned subject matter to classroom sized groups. Requires the ability to relate positively to students in a teaching/learning environment in a way that builds confidence, recognizes and works on learning disabilities and barriers. May requires competency in a second language or basic competency in sign language Physical Abilities Requires the ability to perform indoors in an office and/or classroom/laboratory environment engaged in work of primarily a sedentary to a moderately active nature.

Requires near visual acuity to read and write printed materials and computer screens. Requires hearing and speech ability for ordinary and telephonic conversation, to speak to groups, and to hear sound prompts from equipment. Requires ambulatory ability to move about office, classroom/laboratory, and school grounds, to tutor, assist with presentations, and reach work materials.

Requires sufficient manual and finger dexterity to demonstrate teaching aids, to point out important words/figures to students, and to operate personal computers. Requires the ability to lift, carry, push, and move supplies, fixtures, wheelchairs, etc., of light-to-medium weight (under 50 pounds) on a regular basis, and heavy weight (under 75 pounds) without labor saving equipment on an intermittent basis. Education and Experience The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, 12 college credit hours that are degree eligible, passing of a competency exam, and two years of classroom experience working with children with special needs.

Specific experience in a special day class or similar environment may substitute for higher education requirements. Incumbents having additional college coursework may use it to substitute for some experience. Incumbents may be placed in a higher range based on completion of 24 - 48 college credit hours.

Salary grade advancement is as follows: 12 semester units = grade 11; 24 semester units = grade 12; 48 semester units = grade 13. Licenses and Certificates May require a valid driver's license. May require a valid first aid card. Working Conditions Work is performed indoors and outdoors with some, yet infrequent exposure to health and safety considerations.

Requirements / Qualifications

Requirements / Qualifications