Position SummaryThe Senior Director of Accountability, Assessment, and Academic Systems leads the district's accountability, assessment, and academic data systems to support improved student outcomes. This leader translates complex information into clear priorities, reliable projections, and actionable guidance for district and campus leaders.
The Senior Director oversees state and federal accountability analysis, district assessment strategy, data governance, academic scorecards, and executive and board reporting. The position also leads academic requirements for master schedules and related student information system configurations, ensuring that district systems support instructional priorities and accurate reporting.
Working closely with School Leadership, Teaching and Learning, Student Support Services, and campus administrators, the Senior Director connects student performance evidence to district planning, campus improvement, and instructional decisions.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities Accountability and School Improvement - Lead district analysis and monitoring of state and federal accountability measures, including Domains 1, 2, and 3.
- Monitor changes in accountability methodology and communicate their implications to district and campus leaders.
- Develop and maintain performance projections, campus scorecards, and progress-monitoring tools that identify strengths, risks, and priority student groups.
- Analyze achievement, academic growth, and gaps in performance across campuses, content areas, grade levels, and student populations.
- Partner with School Leadership to translate accountability findings into measurable campus improvement priorities and monitoring cycles.
- Coordinate accountability analysis and evidence monitoring associated with Comprehensive Support and Improvement and Targeted Support and Improvement designations.
- Support district and campus improvement planning with accurate data, measurable targets, and progress updates.
- Coordinate reviews of accountability data and support correction or appeal processes when appropriate.
Assessment Strategy and Implementation - Lead a coherent district assessment strategy that connects screening, diagnostic, common, interim, and state assessment results to instructional decisions.
- Establish and maintain the district assessment calendar in collaboration with Teaching and Learning, School Leadership, and Student Support Services.
- Oversee district coordination of STAAR, end-of-course assessments, TELPAS, and other required assessments.
- Supervise assessment procedures, training, administration readiness, security protocols, and reporting through the Assessment & Data Manager.
- Coordinate with relevant program leaders to ensure assessment participation and accommodations are accurately planned and implemented.
- Establish expectations for assessment data quality, timely reporting, and access to results.
- Partner with content leaders on assessment alignment and usefulness, with content teams leading the development and review of assessment items.
- Evaluate assessment practices to reduce duplication and ensure that collected data serve a clear instructional or accountability purpose.
Data Analysis Governance and Reporting - Establish district expectations for academic data definitions, validation, access, ownership, and reporting timelines.
- Oversee dashboards and scorecards that provide consistent views of student achievement, growth, assessment participation, and progress toward district goals.
- Develop documented methods for performance projections and clearly communicate assumptions and limitations.
- Lead processes to identify and resolve discrepancies across assessment platforms, dashboards, and student information systems.
- Prepare accurate, accessible reports for the Chief Academic Officer, Superintendent, executive leadership, and Board of Directors.
- Translate findings into concise explanations of what changed, why it matters, and what action leaders should consider.
- Coordinate with Technology and designated data owners to support appropriate access, secure data handling, and consistent reporting practices.
- Maintain a reliable calendar for recurring academic reports and executive updates.
Academic Systems and Master Scheduling - Lead academic governance of master scheduling, including district requirements, review timelines, validation criteria, and escalation of unresolved concerns.
- Partner with campus and district leaders to ensure schedules support instructional time, intervention, required services, course access, and student pathways.
- Coordinate academic requirements for Skyward configuration, including course structures, grading settings, scheduling, and related reporting functions.
- Partner with Technology, registrars, counselors, and designated reporting staff to validate academic records and resolve system issues.
- Coordinate validation of course completion, credit, transcript, graduation, and college, career, and military readiness data with the appropriate program owners.
- Establish clear responsibilities and support processes for academic system users, including training and guidance for designated campus staff.
- Assess the effect of proposed system or scheduling changes on instruction, data accuracy, and reporting.
Leadership and Cross Functional Collaboration - Supervise, coach, and evaluate the Assessment & Data Manager and Data Coordinator.
- Establish team priorities, service expectations, deliverables, and quality-control processes.
- Build district and campus leaders' ability to interpret assessment results, accountability measures, and performance trends.
- Facilitate regular data reviews that result in clear decisions, assigned responsibilities, and follow-up.
- Collaborate with academic and program leaders to evaluate whether district initiatives are improving student outcomes.
- Manage assigned budgets, platforms, and vendor relationships.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Academic Officer.
Qualifications Required - Master's degree in educational leadership, educational administration, assessment, research, or a related field.
- At least five years of progressively responsible experience in education, including leadership responsibilities involving assessment, accountability, school improvement, or academic data systems.
- Demonstrated experience interpreting Texas accountability measures and student assessment results.
- Experience developing actionable reports, dashboards, and performance analyses for school or district leaders.
- Experience leading projects across departments and managing complex reporting or implementation timelines.
- Demonstrated ability to supervise staff, establish effective processes, and communicate technical information clearly.
Preferred - District-level leadership experience in accountability, assessment, or academic systems.
- Experience with Skyward, Power BI, and district assessment platforms.
- Experience supporting campuses identified for improvement.
- Experience with master scheduling, secondary academic records, and college, career, and military readiness reporting.
- Texas principal or other relevant administrative certification.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities - Strong analytical judgment and attention to data accuracy.
- Knowledge of assessment implementation, accountability systems, and school improvement processes.
- Ability to distinguish observed results from projections and explain limitations clearly.
- Ability to connect data analysis to practical instructional and operational decisions.
- Strong project management, communication, and team leadership skills.
- Ability to handle confidential student and organizational information appropriately.
- Ability to build productive partnerships with campus leaders and district departments.
Indicators of Success - Leaders receive accurate, timely, and actionable academic reports.
- Accountability projections use consistent, documented methods and are updated as new evidence becomes available.
- Assessment administration is coordinated, secure, and supported by clear training and procedures.
- Campus and district data reviews result in documented priorities and follow-through.
- Academic system and master schedule issues are identified and addressed before they disrupt instruction or reporting.
- Team responsibilities, service timelines, and data ownership are clear.
- District leaders can monitor progress toward student achievement, growth, and gap-closing goals.
Working Conditions Work is performed in district offices and campus settings and requires travel among district locations. Periodic evening work and extended hours may be necessary during assessment windows, reporting deadlines, and major system transitions.
