Itinerant ARI (Alabama Reading Initiative) Reading Specialist 2024 -2025 SY

Certified

• Position

• Reading

Job Number 2300286984

Start Date

Open Date 04/22/2024

Closing Date

ARI LOCAL READING SPECIALIST JOB DESCRIPTION 2024-2025

EVALUATION AND SUPPORT: Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) local reading specialists will be evaluated according to quantitative and qualitative data measures. Summative and formative student assessment data, surveys, and site visit reports will be used in determining local reading specialists' effectiveness and that of overall program and process effectiveness. Support for local reading specialists will be provided by ARI regional literacy specialists according to specifications outlined in the Alabama Literacy Act 2019-523.

ROLE OF THE LOCAL READING SPECIALIST: Per the Alabama Literacy Act, "An Alabama Reading Initiative local reading specialist shall be assigned to provide intensive, targeted professional development for elementary school teachers at one school." ARI Local reading specialists may not perform administrative functions such as serving as an evaluator, substitute teacher, assessment coordinator, or school administrators, full-time interventionist, or instructional coach above third grade. The state superintendent of education will certify that each local reading specialist has the qualifications to serve in this capacity based on verification by the local superintendent.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: An ARI local reading specialist shall have all of the

following minimum qualifications.

• The required Alabama Professional Educator Certificate.

• A bachelor's degree and advanced coursework or professional development in the science of reading, such as multisensory language instruction, or comparable alternative training approved by the Alabama State Board of Education.

• A minimum of two years of experience as a successful elementary or literacy teacher.

• A knowledge of scientifically based reading research, special expertise in quality reading instruction and intervention, dyslexia specific interventions, and data analysis.

• A strong knowledge base in the science of learning to read and the science of early childhood education.

• Excellent communication skills with outstanding presentation, interpersonal, and time management skills.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: In order to ensure that all students are reading on or above grade level by the end of third grade, the job of the ARI-funded local reading specialist(s) outlined in the Alabama Literacy Act will include the following as evidenced by student reading achievement and growth:

• Collaborating with the principal to create a strategic plan for coaching to support and measure the impact of reading instruction according to the science of reading, school baseline data, and data from approved early reading assessment systems.

• Facilitating school wide professional development and monitoring and measuring the impact of transfer to practice.

• Modeling effective science of reading instruction for teachers that is explicit, systematic, inclusive of detailed explanations and more extensive opportunities for guided practice, error correction, and feedback.

• Coaching and mentoring teachers daily via planned coaching cycles based on data and gradually releasing responsibility to teachers.

• Facilitating data analysis discussions and supporting teachers by using data to differentiate instruction according to the needs of students by adhering to the framework of tiered instruction.

• Fostering multiple areas of teacher professional learning, including exceptional student education and content area knowledge, and making adjustments based on data.

• Prioritizing time for those teachers, activities, and roles that will give the greatest impact on student reading achievement, such as coaching and mentoring in classrooms, as evidenced by coaching logs, student impact data, and site visit data.

• Monitoring the reading progress of all students a minimum of three times per year and making recommendations for the adjustment of instruction according to student specific needs identified from multiple data points and aligned with the science of reading as specified in the strategic plan for coaching.

EMPLOYEE TERMS: A nine-month contract is required in order to fulfill these job responsibilities. It is also expected that local reading specialists support summer learning efforts, and it is recommended that any addition to a nine-month contract be supplemental and not an extended contract.

Alabama State Department of Education Eric G. Mackey, Ed.D., State Superintendent of

Education

The Alabama State Board of Education and the Alabama State Department of Education do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, disability, sex, religion, national origin, or age in their programs, activities, or employment and provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person is responsible for handling inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator, Alabama State Department of Education, P.O. Box 302101, Montgomery, AL 36130-2101, telephone (334) 694-4900

Duty Days 187

Reports To Principal

Salary Range: From/To Schedule 16, Level 2-4 ($45,869 - $92,035)

Job Attachment View Attachment

The State does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religious preference, marital status, disability, national origin, or any other reason prohibited by state or federal law. Employees of the District are required to comply with the provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments.

Alabama school boards are required by state law to verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees by using the federal E-Verify program. New employees are required to provide a Social Security number, an unexpired identity document that contains a photograph, and other acceptable documents that establish employment eligibility. In addition to determining whether a new hire is authorized to work in the United States, E-Verify will confirm that the employee's name and Social Security number match.

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