Education Improvement Specialists are responsible for identifying areas of opportunities, research and analysis, and implementing positive change in schools. The position encompasses technical aspects as well as communication and a deep understanding of the human learning process.
Education Improvement Specialist Purpose
Changes to traditional education facilities, including public colleges and universities as well as K-12 public schools, requires research, documentation, and, in some cases, legislation and state-level approvals. In order to facilitate these changes, an Education Improvement Specialist has the task of determining what areas need to improve and what processes need to be updated to accomplish those improvements. The specialists work with students, teachers, and administrative staff to develop a plan, compile the research and suggestions, gain approvals where necessary, and implement that plan in the institution. They are vital to the ever-changing field of education.
Variations of Education Improvement Specialists
In addition to working in different levels of schools, the Education Improvement Specialist can focus on different areas within those schools as well. Special Education Improvement Specialists work with students that have special needs in K-12 schools as well as colleges and universities to update programs and curriculum and achieve the highest level of achievement and success possible, according to BOCES. Education Resource Specialists focus on the textbooks, online resources and platforms, and other resources that educators use in their delivery of programs. Their goal is to increase the effectiveness of resources and continuous improve teaching methods. Public school districts and state organizations have begun expanding their reach to include the employment of Education Improvement Specialists that lead a team and cover a whole area of schools. These teams follow the same guidelines and implement changes that standardize learning and increase successes.
Education
Most institutions seeking Education Improvement Specialists are looking for candidates that have earned a Master’s Degree in Education, Education Administration, Research, or Education Policy. A background in teaching is desirable as those individuals have a personal connection to students. That connection, and the experience that comes with it, is important to understanding the human learning process and planning improvements. There are resource kits available, with forms, guidelines, and templates, through most textbook publishing companies. Some include subscriptions to journals and software that will aid in the academic review process.
Organizations
The Carnegie Foundation is committed to the advancement of teaching and learning and has Improvement Specialists on staff that travel to institutions and perform academic program reviews and utilize the wide range of insight and tools available to assess and improve programs. Their website has resources for Education Improvement Specialists in the field and also educators and administrators looking to enter the field, or just to become more familiar with the improvement process that they use. The NAEYC has advisory groups led by Education Improvement Specialists that focus on the improvement of childhood education.
Related Resource: Academic Advisor
Learning about how humans learn has become vital in the quickly advancing field of education. Bridging the gap between technology and education can be insightful and crucial to the future of education. Education Improvement Specialists are a key component to the success of that future, assuring that we are constantly improving the field.
