NJSBA MANUAL FOR DEVELOPMENT OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS		
					D-25
Instruction/Curriculum			CERTIFIED

TITLE:			TITLE I READING SPECIALIST

QUALIFICATIONS:
1.	Valid New Jersey Instructional Certificate and Elementary Education/ Elementary School with Subject Matter Specialization Endorsement or eligibility, or alternative route certification, or other appropriate certification as determined by the chief school administrator and approved by the NJ Department of Education, in accordance with State law and regulations.
2.	Demonstrated knowledge of effective teaching methods and developmentally appropriate classroom activities, with demonstrated knowledge of improving literacy for Title I students. 
3.	Minimum experience as determined by the School Board. 
4.	Ability to maintain a positive learning environment.
5.	Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
6.	Must have a working knowledge of computers and instructional technology.
7.	Must be able to clearly explain Title I, NCLB, and other concepts concerning the need to raise academic achievement of Title I students.
8.	Required criminal history background check and proof of U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status 
9.	Current residency in New Jersey, approved residency waiver or candidate agrees to obtain residency within one year of employment.

REPORTS TO:	Principal

SUPERVISES:	Title I pupils, and when assigned, student teachers and classroom aides

JOB GOALS:	
1.	To help Title I students develop reading skills and learning attitudes in small group and individual instruction in order to provide a good foundation for continued education; 
2.	To support the district’s instructional program by assessing the academic deficiencies of the students, planning remediation in reading, writing, or mathematics, and providing supplemental instruction to remedy those deficiencies; and 
3.	To maintain good relationships with parents and other staff members.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assessment/Evaluation
1.	Helps classroom teachers to identify students with reading deficiencies by evaluation of available test and observational data, by consultation with staff members, and by recommendations made by other personnel.
2.	Uses appropriate standardized test instruments, informal diagnostic tasks, and observations to assess the reading abilities, strengths and weaknesses of Title I students referred for services. 
3.	Assesses, on a regular basis, the academic and behavioral progress of Title I students, keeps appropriate records and prepares progress reports on how students have met the literacy objectives set for them.
4.	Interprets student reading progress and reading test results to the administration, teaching staff, parents and community as requested.

Develops lesson plans and learning activities
1.	Develops instructional goals and specific instructional objectives for each Title I student selected for remedial teaching.
2.	Selects appropriate instructional materials and media to achieve the goals and objectives specified for each Title I student under his or her care.
3.	Works to achieve state reading standards and district educational goals and objectives by promoting active learning using board‑adopted curriculum and other appropriate learning activities.
4.	Develops lesson plans and instructional materials and provides individualized and small group instruction in order to meet the needs of each pupil. Prepares for instructional periods and shows evidence of preparation upon request of administrative and supervisory staff.
5.	In cooperation with the building principal, properly groups students for remedial instruction after consideration of the learning style and level of academic functioning of each student.  Cooperates with other members of the staff in planning instructional goals and methods.
6.	Sets specific objectives wherever possible in lesson preparation and lesson plans and carries through presentation to effectively achieve these objectives.
7.	Plans activities that are age‑appropriate for the student or group of students, and that meet the individual needs, interests and ability levels of all Title I pupils receiving supplemental reading instruction.
8.	Assists in the selection of books and other instructional materials.

Instruction and pupil contact
1.	Maintains regular attendance in order to provide a coherent instructional program.
2.	Monitors pupil academic progress and personal growth toward stated objectives of instruction.
3.	Maintains accurate and up-to-date records of pupil's attendance and educational progress in class record books and/or board approved forms or computer files and summarizes these data entries for reporting purposes.
4.	Identifies pupil needs and provides instruction appropriate to those needs.
5.	Establishes and maintains standards of pupil behavior needed to achieve a classroom climate conducive to learning.  Maintains order in the classroom in a fair and just manner.
6.	Translates lesson plans into learning experiences so as to efficiently utilize the available time for instruction, and budgets instructional time effectively.  
7.	Makes detailed lesson plans for a substitute teacher to follow whenever it is known that sick or personal leave has to be taken.
8.	Uses instructional technology proficiently in order to achieve specific literacy goals and objectives set for Title I students.
9.	Devises written and oral assignments and tests that require analytical and critical thinking as well as infusing the instruction with other content areas.
10.	Supervises pupils in out-of-classroom activities during the assigned workday.

Contact with parents and community
1.	Communicates with parents through conferences and other means to inform them about the school program and to discuss pupil progress in improving literacy.
2.	Makes effective use of community resources to enhance the instructional program.
3.	Makes provision for being available to parents and students for education-related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms.
4.	Conducts parenting and parent literacy programs as assigned.  Outlines the parent’s responsibilities and opportunities to support student learning.  
5.	Encourages parent participation including for parents with limited English proficiency and disabilities.  

Professional contacts and activities	
1.	Cooperates with other professional staff members in assessing and resolving reading problems.  Facilitates literacy development across the school and content areas by serving as a literacy specialist at the school. 

2.	Retains focus and gives priority to raising the academic achievement of Title I students while accomplishing other tasks.

3.	Maintains professional competence and continuous improvement through inservice education and other professional growth activities.  Participates in inservice training as assigned.  Keeps appropriate records of professional training in order to show compliance with State requirements for professional development.

4.	Participates in school-level planning, faculty meetings/committees and other school system groups.

5.	Participates in IEP meetings when assigned.

Other
1.	Assists in planning and completing the local Title I application.  
2.	Upholds and enforces school rules, administrative regulations and board policy.  Assists the administration in implementing all policies and/or rules governing student life and conduct.  
3.	Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect supplies, equipment, materials and facilities.
4.	Performs other duties within the scope of his/her employment and certification as may be assigned.

TERMS OF
EMPLOYMENT:		Work year and salary to be determined by the board.

annual evaluation	Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with New Jersey State law and the provisions of the board’s policy on evaluation of certified staff.

Approved by:    

Date:

Revised: 

Legal References:

N.J.S.A. 7F	Comprehensive Educational  Improvement and Financing Act
N.J.S.A. 18A:6‑7.1		Criminal history record; employee in regular contact with pupils; grounds for 				disqualification from employment; exception
N.J.S.A. 18A:6‑10		Dismissal and reduction in compensation of persons under tenure in public school 			system
N.J.S.A. 18A:16‑2		Physical examinations; requirement
N.J.S.A. 18A:25‑2		Authority over pupils
N.J.S.A. 18A:25‑4		School register; keeping
N.J.S.A. 18A:26‑1		Citizenship of teachers, etc.
N.J.S.A. 18A:26‑1.1		Residence requirement prohibited
N.J.S.A. 18A:26‑2		Certificates required; exception
N.J.S.A. 18A:27		Employment and contracts
N.J.S.A. 18A:28‑3		No tenure for noncitizens
N.J.S.A. 18A:28‑5		Tenure of teaching staff members
N.J.S.A. 18A:28‑8		Notice of intention to resign required
N.J.S.A. 18A:37		Discipline of pupils
N.J.A.C. 6A:7		Managing for equality and equity in education
N.J.A.C. 6A:8		Standards and assessment
N.J.A.C. 6A:9		Professional licensure and standards
See particularly:
N.J.A.C. 6A:9-3.3		Professional standards for teachers
N.J.A.C. 6A:9B	State board of examiners and certification
See particularly:
N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-5		General certification policies
N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8		Requirements for instructional certificate
N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-10.2 		Preschool through grade three certification requirements
N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-10.11		Elementary school with subject matter specialization
N.J.A.C. 6A:9C-3		Required professional development for teachers and school leaders
N.J.A.C. 6A:10	Educator effectiveness
See particularly:
N.J.A.C. 6A:10‑2.1 et seq.	Evaluation of teaching staff members
	N.J.A.C. 6A:10‑4.1 et seq.	Components of teacher evaluation 
N.J.A.C. 6A:16		Programs to support student development	
N.J.A.C. 6A:32		School district operations
See particularly:
N.J.A.C. 6A:32-5.1	Standards for determining seniority
N.J.A.C. 6A:32-6			School employee physical examinations
N.J.A.C. 6A:32-7			Student records
N.J.A.C. 6A:32-8		Attendance and pupil accounting

Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, 8 U.S.C.A. 1100 et seq.

Every Student Succeeds Act, Pub. L. 114-95, Title 1,  20 U.S.C.A. 6301 et seq.