Start Date: July 8th, 2024
Location: St. Paul Network Office and both Academy campuses (Columbia Heights & St. Paul)
Reports to: Network Director of Operations (NDOO)
Manages: No Direct Reports
ABOUT PRODEO
Prodeo Academy, a network of public charter schools serving the Twin Cities, is a meaningful education solution that is closing the opportunity gap through data-driven instruction in a culture based on a foundation of five core values: Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Development, and Engagement. Shared expectations around these values enhance the opportunity for our scholars to reach their full potential. We are looking for team members committed to helping our scholars access greater opportunities, achieve future success, and contribute to the vitality of our community.
VISION FOR POSITION
Reporting to the Network Director of Operations (NDOO), the Director of Data & Assessment (DODA) will lead Prodeo Academy in the areas of data systems, student assessment, data reporting, and instructional technology. The DODA will partner closely with the CEO of School Development, Director of Instruction, VP of Operations and Compliance, and Academy leaders on a continual basis. As a Director-level role, this position will be highly autonomous and entails ownership of multiple complex systems, processes, and functions. We want to be transparent that this role will initially be a team of one and as such, will be responsible for both high-level technical and strategic functions as well as lower level task and clerical functions within the scope of work. Prodeo is currently in a position where we recognize the need to have clearly-defined processes and systems in the areas of data and assessment, but they haven’t all been built yet. Over time, we expect the DODA will build significant capacity for Prodeo Academy in these areas.
We are looking for a strategic and collaborative leader with significant technical proficiency in data systems and instructional technology whose perspective is grounded in prior experience as a classroom teacher or instructional leader. The ideal candidate is someone who is equally comfortable manipulating complex data sets and using applied statistics to draw meaningful conclusions from data as they are explaining those conclusions to an audience in plain language. This opportunity is ideal for someone who is energized by challenging work, hungry for feedback and is committed to Prodeo Academy’s mission to develop students to be critical thinkers and reflective leaders, expanding their opportunities to contribute positively and productively to society.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Leadership and Strategy: Lead Prodeo Academy in the areas of data systems, student assessment, reporting, and instructional technology. Develop and execute strategic planning related to these areas to foster data-driven decision-making across the organization. Support other network leaders as an expert consultant.
- Data Management and Analysis: Develop dashboards, integrations, and tracking tools customized for network leaders, academy principals, and teachers. Conduct meticulous reviews of data sets for anomalies, inconsistencies, and trends to ensure reliability and accuracy. Manage all core student data systems including Student Information Systems (SIS), Rostering, and Instructional Platforms in partnership with relevant stakeholders. Ensure timely and efficient access to critical data for decision-making across the network. Develop and execute a standardized process for handling data requests to streamline data delivery and provide clear timelines for completion.
- Reporting and Compliance: Partner with Network Leaders to ensure relevant stakeholders including Prodeo’s Board, Authorizer, Funders, and Government Agencies receive regularly scheduled data and reports. Serve as Prodeo’s State Reporting Coordinator, responsible for all required state reporting in partnership with Campus Operations teams.
- Assessment Coordination: Partner with the Director of Instruction and Academy Leaders to align assessment strategies with instructional goals and ensure cohesive implementation across the Network. Act as a liaison between Academic Leaders, Operations Leaders, and IT staff to ensure that hardware, software, information security, and network infrastructure align with assessment needs. Develop and execute an annual assessment plan based on Prodeo’s annual assessment calendar. Coordinate logistics for assessment administration, including the distribution of materials, technology setup, and ensuring compliance with testing protocols and security measures.
- Additional Duties: Demonstrate flexibility by taking on additional duties as assigned, which may sometimes fall outside the primary scope of responsibilities. This includes adapting to emerging needs of the Prodeo network, supporting cross-functional projects, and contributing to initiatives that enhance the educational environment and operational efficiency.
TARGETED OUTCOMES FOR FIRST 12 MONTHS
- Transition Data Request Process: Within the first 12 months, develop and deploy user-friendly dashboards to achieve a 75% dashboard utilization rate for data requests (as opposed to fulfilling data requests by building one-off reports from scratch).
- Increase Confidence in Data Quality and Accuracy: Within the first six months, implement a comprehensive data quality improvement plan resulting in a 90% stakeholder confidence level in data systems accuracy and less than 1% incidence of data errors by the end of the 24-25 school year.
- Automate Repetitive Reporting and Clerical Tasks: Within the first six months, identify and automate or systemetize 50% of manual reporting and clerical tasks related to data imports, dashboard updates, state reporting error resolution, other routine tasks such that the DODA will spend less than 20% of their time on these tasks by the end 24-25 school year.
- Optimize Data System Tools and Vendor Performance: Within the first six months, thoroughly evaluate all data system vendors and tools to ensure they meet our needs for quality and efficiency. Aim to achieve full utilization of the tools we're paying for, making necessary adjustments or changes to ensure all data systems and tools align with our strategic goals, with ongoing assessments to monitor alignment and effectiveness.
- Overhaul MTSS Tracking Program: Within the 3 months, collaborate with the Director of Instruction and Principals to gain an understanding of the current and future data practices surrounding Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). By the end of the 24-25 school year, research, plan, and implement a new comprehensive MTSS data system that is ready for the 25-26 school year.
- Instructional Leader Data Needs: Within the first 6 months, collaborate with the Director of Instruction and Principals to conduct a data practices needs assessment based on current data practices, successes, and challenges related to instructional groupings, intervention data, and assessment data (formative and summative). Within the first 12 months, develop and begin to implement systems improvements and supports to address the results of the needs assessment.
- Assessment & Progress Monitoring System Readiness: Within the first 2 months, Collaborate with the Director of Instruction and NDOO to ensure that all assessment and progress monitoring platforms for academic and school culture systems are synced with current roster data (including IEP status, ML status), are properly configured, and appropriate user access has been granted prior to the start of the school year.
SKILLS
- Demonstrated flexibility and experience in effectively solving challenging problems through a positive, collaborative approach
- Expert-level written and oral communication skills
- Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills
- Excellent organization skills and consistency in meeting deadlines
- Strong analytical and statistical skills with the ability to identify trends, anomalies, and inconsistencies in data.
- Knowledge of current educational technology trends and best practices in data management and assessment.
- Proficiency in using data management, visualization, and reporting tools.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery and quality outcomes.
- Entrepreneurial outlook and commitment to Prodeo Academy’s mission.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Information Technology, Education, or a related field. Advanced degree or certification preferred.
- Experience in managing complex project logistics with a track record of strong results
- Expertise in implementing and managing integrated data systems
- Proven experience in data management, analysis, and reporting in an educational setting.
- Experience in leading strategic planning and implementation of data-driven decision-making processes.
- Knowledge and experience with student information systems, instructional platforms, and state reporting requirements.
- Experience as an educational data “end-user” either as a teacher or instructional leader.
- Preferred: Previous experience in administering standardized assessments and managing related data systems. Experience with NWEA MAP and Minnesota-specific assessment (MCA and Access).
COMPENSATION
Salary for this position is very competitive and commensurate with experience.
Prodeo Academy is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. We are committed to hiring a diverse and multicultural staff and encourage applications from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.