Educational Diagnostician

Caddo Parish Schools Job Description

Job Title: Educational Diagnostician

Prepared By: Nadalie Thomas

Prepared Date: January 20, 2005

Approved By: Jan Holliday

Approved Date: January 24, 2005

SUMMARY

Reports to a designated team facilitator of Pupil Appraisal Services, enables students to derive the fullest possible educational experience from schooling by providing a full-range of educational diagnostician services to students in need of such assistance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Develops performance objectives and prepares a professional growth plan supporting department and school system goals.
• Explains and interprets the educational diagnostic program to parents teachers, principals, and other members of the parish school system.
• Implements and/or assists teachers and other school personnel in the design and implementation of educational and behavioral interventions for referred pupils.
• Evaluates, as a pupil appraisal services staff member in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Bulletin 1508 and the regulations implementing Act 754, those pupils suspected of being in need of special educational services.
• Functions as evaluation coordinator for designated referred students.
• Participates in special education eligibility determinations and IEP staffing.
• Interprets diagnostic findings to parents, teachers, principals, and other professional parish personnel and responsible practitioners outside the school.
• Serves on designated school building level committees and confers with parents, teachers, principals, team facilitators, and other parish professional staff whenever necessary on matters relative to behavioral interventions, exceptional children, learning, teaching strategies, recommended interventions, and other areas within the expertise of the educational diagnostician.
• Provides or assists in the provision of in-service training of school personnel on such topics as pupil appraisal, educational diagnostic program, exceptional children, learning styles, classroom management, intervention strategies/techniques, and other areas of expertise.
• Cooperates with personnel of community health and social services agencies.
• Assists in maintaining accurate case records on all clients regarding enrollment in the educational diagnostic program, initial screening and individual evaluation, and other services provided by the educational diagnostician in accordance with the requirements of parish, state, and federal laws, regulations and/or policies.
• Submits a written report of any educational diagnostic services provided to students.
• Attends staff, professional, and interagency meetings.
• Participates in due process procedures.
• Keeps abreast of new developments in the area of educational diagnosis and keeps other appropriate school personnel informed of same.
• Make progress toward achieving objectives in the professional growth plan.
• Prepares a self-evaluation as described in the Performance Evaluation Plan.
• Completes all required reports of the parish or State Department of Education.
• Performs other such duties and assumes other responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

A master''s degree in education with certification by the State Department of Education as an educational diagnostician or as an assessment teacher. A minimum of three years teaching experience in one area of special education. The expertise to administer and interpret educational tests designed to identify learning problems. Ability to design and implement educational and behavior intervention programs.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Ability to relate to and communicate with exceptional children in an accepting and non-biased manner.
• Ability to relate to and verbally communicate with all professional and non-professional contacts on the level of each individual's ability and level of understanding.
• Ability to effectively communicate in written reports and correspondence information relative to the individual case.
• Ability to plan and organize assigned duties in an efficient manner.
• Ability to treat all information in a confidential manner.
• Ability to maintain stability to work effectively under pressure.
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with Special Education Center staff.
• Neat, well groomed appearance.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Employee acknowledges that he/she is required to maintain a high standard of professional conduct. Breach of said professional conduct includes but is not limited to: neglect of duty, dishonesty, engagement in acts that are contrary to CPSB policy, unlawful activities, or any other conduct which is seriously prejudicial to the school system.

CHAIN OF SUPERVISION

Assigned Pupil Appraisal Facilitator

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

182 days