Vision Assessment & Braille Literacy Specialist

About the School:

Located in the heart of Oakland, Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children is a one-of-a-kind educational experience committed to empowering our students to realize their full potential. The School also provides vital early intervention and outreach services to visually impaired students, with or without additional challenges, throughout western Pennsylvania. Founded in 1887, our School is best equipped to care for and educate students with visual impairments. As a private institution chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the School educates approximately 200 enrolled students from 80-85 school districts within western Pennsylvania.

Position Summary:

The Assessment and Curriculum Specialist will work with teachers and students enrolled on campus and serve a dual role - supporting teachers as needed in vision impairment specific assessments and curriculum implementation. The Assessment and Curriculum Specialist will provide guidance, mentorship, and direct support in these areas to teachers, particularly new teachers, to ensure high-quality instruction and accurate assessment practices. The position provides collaborative support to teachers in assessment, curriculum implementation, and instructional practices to support student outcomes.

Position Summary:

The Assessment Specialist will work with students enrolled on campus and serve a dual role, encompassing both student assessment and oversight of braille literacy. The primary focus of this position is to support teachers who hold Emergency Permits and are new to WPSBC. As these teachers have not yet obtained the qualifications to conduct functional vision assessments or provide instruction in Braille literacy, the Assessment Specialist will provide guidance, mentorship, and direct support in these areas to ensure high-quality instruction and accurate assessment practices.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Working Schedule: 189 days per year; Mondays through Fridays

Compensation: Based on degree, certifications, and experience according to Collective Bargaining Unit salary scale.

Responsibilities:

Assessment & Team Collaboration

• Facilitate team meetings to complete the Expanded Core Curriculum Needs Screening Tool (ECC) as a collaborative team process.
• Support teachers and co-assess students using key assessments, including Functional Vision Evaluations (FVE), CVI Assessments, and ECC Needs Screening Tool, Learning Media Assessments (LMA)
• Oversee and monitor the full assessment documentation process (completing assessments electronically, printing final copies for IEP Coordinators, and uploading them to SharePoint)
• Collaborate with on campus AT Specialist regarding vision assistive technology assessments.

Assessment Management & Compliance

• Schedule and manage assessment timelines, ensuring all evaluations are completed in accordance with required deadlines.
• Coordinate scheduling, send reminders, and follow up with team members to ensure timely completion.

Instructional Alignment & Data-Driven Practices

• Collaborate with teachers to develop meaningful, data-driven IEP goals and SDI based on assessment results.
• Support the integration of assessment findings into Present Levels of Performance and additional recommendations.
• Translate assessment data into clear, actionable instructional strategies, providing teachers with practical next steps, examples, and supports.

Follow-Through & Ongoing Support

• Assist in problem-solving by coordinating additional data collection and providing consultation.
• Ensure continuity between assessment findings, goal development, and classroom instruction, closing the loop between evaluation and practice.

Professional Development & Capacity Building

• Plan and facilitate professional development opportunities (e.g., Lunch & Learns, workshops, targeted trainings) focused on assessment practices, data interpretation, and instructional applications.
• Develop and maintain shared resources and templates via SharePoint to support staff and promote consistency across teams.

• If the LMA indicates braille instruction:
  
  
  
  • Assess service time needed in braille instruction
  • Determine braille curriculum, including but not limited to I-M-ABLE, Building on Patterns, and the Mangold Braille Program
  • Oversee braille instruction with students learning braille readiness and braille literacy goals including braille writing
  • Participate in educational team meetings to generalize student braille reading and writing across the school day
  • Adapt and modify curriculum and materials into accessible formats such as braille and tactile graphics
  • Ensure students receive consistent and appropriate instruction in braille year to year
  • Collaborate with classroom teams to ensure braille instruction and data collection occurs throughout the school day
  
  
  
  

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualifications:

• Valid PDE Level 2 certification as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) required.
• Master's Degree required; Special Education degree preferred
• 5+ years experience working with students with visual impairments
• Demonstrated proficiency in braille literacy (reading, writing, and instruction) and Nemeth.
• Strong understanding of special education knowledge - IEP development, Present levels, SDI, goal writing, IDEA compliance basics
• Hands-on experience conducting Functional Vision Evaluations (FVE), CVI Assessments, Learning Media Assessments (LMA), ECC-related assessments
• Strong knowledge of Expanded Core Curriculum implementation
• Experience supporting or mentoring other teachers
• Experience providing instructional coaching or curriculum support preferred
• Knowledge of Pennsylvania alternate assessment systems preferred
• Familiarity in assistive technology for students with visual impairments
• Experience providing professional development or trainings
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
• The individual must hold and maintain proper clearances for Acts 34, 114, and 151.