Test Development Associate

The Test Development position will contribute to the success of statewide achievement testing programs by developing standardized achievement tests for district, state, or national use, providing consultation and administration of testing programs, and conducting research studies involving practical and theoretical aspects of test development and use. This Test Development Position will develop materials for use in Social Studies assessments. 

This is a 1 year Specified Term Position.

Specific Job Duties and Tasks:

• Assist with and/or develop materials, including passages and items, closely aligned to relevant state social studies standards for use in a variety of assessment programs (e.g. Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP)).  
• Improve item passages, stems, keys, and distractors in collaboration with internal and external reviewers and editing staff.
• Assist in the development of interpretative materials including performance level descriptors and test specifications to accompany standardized achievement tests as assigned.
• Manage the interface between ITP and partner item banking solutions to create, manage, and deliver accessible social studies items.  
• Assist with and/or develop social studies materials to be evaluated for use in assessments and other instruments to support research needs of faculty, graduate students, or external entities.
• Participate actively in local/ state/ national organizations where innovations in the teaching and assessment of social studies concepts are developed and shared.    
• Work effectively with external consultants including Iowa educators on development and review of social studies materials.
• Create accurate contract and payment requests for external writers and reviewers.  
• Assist ITP Directors in tracking contract expenditures.  

To obtain the full job description including key areas of responsibility, technical competencies, and desirable qualifications, please contact Alex-Schutman@uiowa.edu

About Iowa Testing Programs (ITP)

Iowa Testing Programs (ITP) has been part of the University of Iowa’s College of Education for over 90 years. From its inception, ITP’s mission has been to serve Iowa schools’ assessment needs by developing high-quality instruments and to work with schools to promote valid use of results.  

• ITP also pursues research that improves the practice of educational measurement.
• design and development of assessments that provide information for a variety of purposes and audiences.
• outreach that delivers assessment results and supports use of assessment information by local, state, national, and international audiences. 

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in social studies education or a related social science or equivalent combination of education and related experience, is required. Typical experience is a minimum of three years. 

Required Qualifications:

• Three (3) years or more of teaching experience in Grades 7-12 Social Studies content area