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Role Description

Are you passionate about mathematics or literacy and eager to shape how student learning is measured? Assessment Systems is seeking an Assessment Development Manager for ELA and an Assessment Development Manager for Math to join a fast-paced, collaborative team responsible for building a new K–12 benchmark assessment aligned to academic standards. These roles are short-term contract positions supporting the development of custom formative benchmark assessments for a Pennsylvania charter school network. The engagement runs approximately 2–3 months, with full-time or ¾-time availability required during the active item development sprint (May–June 2026).

The Assessment Development Managers will lead and manage the day-to-day item writing workflow for English Language Arts or Math assessments across Grades 2–8 in alignment with Pennsylvania Core Standards. This project offers a unique opportunity to work on the front end of assessment creation — designing the blueprint, developing high-quality test items, and helping construct an exam that will be used by educators to monitor student progress and inform instruction. If you enjoy translating standards into meaningful assessment content and thrive in an environment where ideas move quickly from concept to implementation, these roles offer the chance to make a real impact.

Responsibilities

• Assessment Development Manager — English Language Arts (Grades 2–8)
  • Lead and manage the day-to-day item writing workflow for English Language Arts assessments across Grades 2–8 in alignment with Pennsylvania Core Standards.
  • Work with ASC assessment specialists and psychometricians and client Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to direct and manage the blueprint design process for ELA blueprints across multiple grade levels.
  • Translate the blueprints into item specifications.
  • Develop ELA-specific item writing guidelines, style guidelines, and item specifications.
  • Train and onboard the client’s internal subject matter expert (SME) writers on Depth of Knowledge expectations, construct clarity, and common item-writing pitfalls.
  • Manage item writing assignments and workflow by conducting periodic gap analyses to monitor progress.
  • Communicate with the client on progress.
  • Manage and support item writers and subject matter experts throughout the item development process.
  • Conduct alignment reviews on submitted items, flagging off-DOK or construct-irrelevant drafts, and managing at least one revision cycle per item batch.
  • Participate in bias and sensitivity reviews to ensure fairness and accessibility for diverse student populations.
• Assessment Development Manager — Mathematics (Grades 2–8)
  • Lead and manage the day-to-day item writing workflow for Mathematics assessments across Grades 2–8 in alignment with Pennsylvania Core Standards.
  • Work with ASC assessment specialists and psychometricians and client Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to direct and manage the blueprint design process for math blueprints across multiple grade levels.
  • Translate the blueprints into item specifications.
  • Develop math-specific item writing guidelines, style guidelines, and item specifications.
  • Train and onboard the client’s internal subject matter expert (SME) writers on Depth of Knowledge expectations, construct clarity, and common item-writing pitfalls.
  • Manage item writing assignments and workflow by conducting periodic gap analyses to monitor progress.
  • Communicate with the client on progress.
  • Manage and support item writers and subject matter experts throughout the item development process.
  • Conduct alignment reviews on submitted items, flagging off-DOK or construct-irrelevant drafts, and managing at least one revision cycle per item batch.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics or ELA, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in educational assessment development, curriculum design, or instruction.
• Strong knowledge of K–12 standards (e.g., Common Core State Standards or equivalent state standards).
• Experience developing or reviewing assessment items aligned with academic standards.
• Familiarity with cognitive complexity frameworks (e.g., Depth of Knowledge, Bloom’s Taxonomy).
• Prior experience managing a team of item writers in a structured workflow.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent editorial skills.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced collaborative environment.

Preferred

• Experience developing large-scale or benchmark assessments in a K-12 context.
• K-12 teaching experience.
• Candidates comfortable working within a vendor-managed, client-collaborative model will thrive in these engagements.

Benefits

• Fully remote; must be based in the United States.
• Target pay rate is $40-55/hour.

Company Description

Assessment Systems is a leading provider of robust web-based assessment platforms, test development, and psychometric support services. Our mission is to improve career and educational opportunities by modernizing the assessment design and delivery process at organizations that administer tests. Learn more at assess.com.

Additional Information

• This position has no supervisory responsibility.
• This job is fully virtual. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, and filing cabinets.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Expected hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m, either Eastern or Central time.
• None travel required.
• Assessment Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• Assessment Systems is an E-Verify participating employer.
• Employment is contingent upon a successful background check.