Assessment Item Specialist - English Language Arts (Remote)

1w1 week ago

Newsela

US · Contract · $70,000 – $110,000

About this role

As an Assessment Item Specialist for English Language Arts, you will play a key role in expanding the Newsela Item Bank. You will leverage your ELA expertise to create rigorous, standards-aligned content that helps educators deliver data-informed instruction. This role offers a collaborative, remote environment supporting academic success in classrooms nationwide.

You will create original, standards-aligned ELA assessment items precisely mapped to CCSS or state-specific literacy standards. Select and curate high-quality reading passages meeting Lexile requirements and grade-level complexity. Transfer existing assessments into the Formative platform and produce technology-enhanced items with accurate metadata.

Conduct quality assurance reviews to ensure items are unbiased, culturally responsive, and meet editorial standards. Validate alignment and cognitive rigor by evaluating Depth of Knowledge for every item. Work in a flexible freelance capacity contributing to a staple in K-12 digital learning.

Provide expert feedback on platform tools and item bank features to improve workflows. Enjoy the flexibility of project-based work with commitment to quality and textual analysis. Your contributions directly impact student access to high-quality, literacy-driven assessments.

Requirements

Professional assessment author with at least one year of direct experience writing and reviewing English Language Arts (ELA) assessment items on a commercial scale, such as for a reputable EdTech company, testing vendor, or educational publisher
Assessment methodology expert who possesses a comprehensive understanding of educational assessment design, including formative, common, and summative assessments
Standards and framework specialist with deep familiarity with CCSS and state-specific ELA frameworks, along with a proven ability to apply strict standards alignment principles
Mastery of rigor and Depth of Knowledge (DOK), allowing accurate classification and creation of items that meet specific cognitive rigor requirements
Skilled in technical item production, bringing prior experience authoring technology-enhanced items (TEIs) and navigating digital assessment platforms
Exhibit editorial excellence through a thorough grasp of established style guides and best practices, including fairness, bias, and accessibility
Reliable content producer with a proven track record of delivering high-quality work under tight deadlines with meticulous attention to detail
Legally authorized to work in the US

Responsibilities

Create original, standards-aligned English Language Arts (ELA) assessment items, tasks, and stimuli precisely mapped to CCSS or state-specific literacy standards
Select and curate high-quality reading passages (literary and informational) that meet specific Lexile requirements and grade-level complexity
Transfer and format existing ELA assessments and items from district and state sources into the Formative platform
Produce and configure technology-enhanced items (TEIs) within the platform, ensuring accurate metadata tagging and flawless technical functionality
Conduct systematic quality assurance reviews of ELA content to ensure all items are unbiased, culturally responsive, and meet strict editorial standards
Validate content alignment and cognitive rigor by accurately evaluating the Depth of Knowledge (DOK) for every assessment item
Provide expert platform feedback and recommendations regarding content tools and item bank features to continuously improve development workflows

Benefits

Flexible freelance contract in a remote environment
Compensated on a per-project basis with rates scaled to scope and complexity
Comprehensive project details and pricing provided upfront before accepting assignments
Collaborative setting contributing to K-12 digital learning platform