DISTRICT OVERVIEW
Holyoke Public Schools (HPS) serves 5,400 students in 11 schools and employs nearly 1500 people. The District was placed into receivership by the State of Massachusetts in Spring 2015, due to struggling performance well below the state average. Dr. Stephen Zrike Jr., a seasoned Massachusetts educator, was selected as Receiver to lead this exciting turnaround effort, which includes significant autonomy and flexibility from the traditional school system. Since being in receivership, the District has experienced many promising successes. In school year 2015-16, the District saw a 7-percentage point increase in proficiency in English Language Arts and a 4-point gain in Math, and attendance rates are up across the District. HPS has also extended the school day for students in preschool to 8th grade, expanded choice programs such as dual language and personalized learning, and offering new opportunities to students, such as computer science and many other enrichment programs. For more information about the HPS Turnaround Plan, please visit: https://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/turnaround/.
Job Description:
- Assess the cognitive, affective and psychomotor development of students.
- Administer, score, and interpret norm-referenced, as well as criterion referenced assessment instruments.
- Assist in diagnosis and treatment of students.
- Synthesize information and recommendations into an effective, individually appropriate educational plan and assists in its writing.
- Serves as team leader in the core evaluation planning process in the rotation.
- Responsible for the pre-referral process.
- Provide diagnostic data for Spanish speaking students.
- Submits daily testing activities report on a weekly basis to the Special Education Supervisor.
- Attends regular consultation sessions with the Director of School Support Services.
- Consults with teachers about classroom management techniques, students' behavior and academic performance.
- Designs intervention strategies for the school, the classroom and individual students, and supervise its implementation.
- Makes regular classroom visits to observe student interaction in the classroom setting.
- Consults with parents regarding their children's behavior and academic performance.
- Monitors pre-referral students' performance in conjunction with other Pupil Services Team members, i.e., guidance counselor, speech therapist, programmer, teacher of moderate special needs, etc.
- Represents the Holyoke Public Schools Pupil Services Department at appropriate conferences.
- Follows the schedule of the assigned building and be accountable for attendance to the principal.
- Completes other duties assigned by the Director of School Support Services.
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree required
- Massachusetts School Psychologist Certification
- Commitment to ensuring academic success for all students
- Experience working in an urban setting, preferred
- Experience working with diverse student populations, preferred
- Ability to read, interpret, and apply student performance data to instructional planning and execution
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; excellent teamwork skills
- Bilingual applicants (Spanish) strongly encouraged to apply
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