Coordinator of Multilingual Education Programs Education Program Specialist II

About the role

The Maryland State Department of Education is dedicated to supporting a world-class educational system that prepares all students for college and career success in the 21st century. This position provides statewide leadership and coordination to advance high-quality multilingual and dual language education.

Responsibilities

• Provides statewide leadership for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of multilingual education initiatives aligned with the MSDE Strategic Plan, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, and the recommendations of the Workgroup on English Learners in Public Schools.
• Develops, disseminates, and supports implementation of statewide guidance and technical assistance to LEAs and early childhood providers in delivering grade-level, standards-aligned instruction integrated language development and evidence-based instructional practices for multilingual learners.
• Provides leadership and technical assistance to LEAs and early childhood providers in the design, implementation, evaluation and scaling of multilingual and dual language programs, including scheduling models and access to college and career readiness pathways.
• Collaborates with MSDE divisions, including Title III, Assessment and Accountability, and other MSDE divisions to align multilingual learner supports across curriculum and instruction, assessment and accountability, early childhood, special education, and college and career readiness.
• Represents MSDE on statewide, regional, and national committees, advisory groups, and professional organizations related to multilingual education, dual language education, and world languages; builds partnerships with institutions of higher education and other stakeholders to advance statewide priorities.
• Leads the development and implementation of state policies, guidance, strategic initiatives, and evidence-based practices that strengthen multilingual education and build statewide leadership capacity to improve outcomes for multilingual learners.
• Maintains oversight of multilingual education programs and analyzes statewide data (e.g. English language proficiency, student achievement, program participation, and reclassification) to inform policy, guidance, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• A Master’s Degree or the equivalent of 36 credit hours of post-baccalaureate coursework in Education or a related area from an accredited college or university.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in multilingual education, English language development, dual language education, world language education, literacy or other related instructional programs in PreK-12 educational settings. Two years of this experience must include coordinating or administering professional learning or technical assistance within a multilingual or related education program.

Qualifications

• Possession of a Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in a field related to the position option for one year of the required experience.
• Experience designing and facilitating professional learning and providing technical assistance or instructional coaching to educators, school leaders, or local education agencies (LEAs).
• Experience developing guidance documents, instructional resources, policy documents, or other professional communications for educators, educational leaders, or state or local education agencies.
• Experience using student achievement, English language proficiency, and program implementation data to support program evaluation, continuous improvement, and instructional decision-making.
• Knowledge of multilingual education, including evidence-based instructional practices, WIDA English Language Development Standards, English language proficiency assessment, Title III requirements, and applicable state and federal policies.
• Experience collaborating with educators, administrators, institutions of higher education, community organizations, and state or national partners to implement educational initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through presentations, facilitation, and high-quality written communications with diverse audiences.