Director – Data Literacy, Assessment Strategy, and Continuous Improvement

Position Purpose
Provides strategic leadership for the district's data literacy, assessment strategy, dashboard systems, and continuous improvement functions to ensure that data is actively used to drive decision‑making, performance monitoring, and improved student outcomes. Leads the development and implementation of dashboards, data systems, and practices that provide real‑time, actionable insights to campuses and central offices and build the capacity of leaders to interpret and act on data within instructional and school improvement cycles. Oversees the design, development, and implementation of local assessments aligned to the TEKS, the district's instructional framework, and the rigor of state assessments, ensuring assessments produce timely, actionable data that informs instruction. Ensures coherence between data systems, dashboards, and translates complex data into clear, actionable insights that support decision‑making and continuous improvement.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Provides leadership for the district's data literacy, local assessment strategy, dashboards, and continuous improvement functions to ensure alignment between local assessment systems, data use practices, and school improvement efforts.

Lead the design, development, governance, and continuous improvement of district‑wide dashboards and data visualization systems that provide real‑time visibility into student performance, instructional practices, and campus and district trends, ensuring accessibility and usability for all stakeholders.

Establishes standards for data visualization, dashboard design, and reporting to ensure clarity, consistency, and usability across all platforms.

Builds the capacity of school and central office leaders to interpret and use assessment data and dashboards to monitor performance, identify trends, and drive instruction and operational decisions.

Implements and scales the use of real‑time instructional data systems and dashboards that provide district and campus leaders with actionable insights into classroom implementation, Spot Observations, Demonstrations of Learning (DOL), and other leading indicators to support responsive coaching, instructional decision‑making, and continuous school improvement.

Leads the design, development, and continuous improvement of district‑wide local assessments, including DOLs, interim assessments, and benchmarks aligned to TEKS, the district's instructional framework, and the rigor of STAAR.

Ensures alignment and coherence between curriculum, instructional planning, and assessment systems through close partnership with Curriculum & Instruction core content teams.

Establishes systems that ensure local assessments generate immediate, actionable data that informs reteach, acceleration, and student grouping decisions within instructional cycles.

Directs the implementation and monitoring of school improvement planning and progress monitoring aligned to state and federal accountability requirements.

Establishes and maintains a high‑performance culture characterized by urgency, responsiveness, accountability, customer service, continuous improvement in supporting instructional decision‑making and performance outcomes.

Demonstrates flexibility in scheduling and availability, including extended or adjusted work hours during critical reporting periods, accountability cycles, state submissions, audit activities, and other high‑priority deadlines to ensure timely, accurate, and high‑quality execution of all deliverables.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Selects, trains, supervises, and evaluates staff and makes recommendations relative to assignment, retention, discipline, and dismissal.

Personal Work Relationships

All Fort Worth IS employees must maintain a commitment to the District's mission, vision, and strategic goals.

Exhibit high professionalism, standards of conduct, and work ethic.

Demonstrates high quality customerservice; builds rapport/relationship with the consumer.

Demonstrates cultural competence in interactions with others; is respectful of co‑workers; communicates and performs as a team player; promotes teamwork; responds and acts appropriately in confrontational situations.

Other Duties as Assigned

Performs all job‑related duties as assigned and in accordance with Board rules, policies, and regulations. All employees are expected to comply with lawful directives in rare situations driven by need where a team effort is required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of TEKS, STAAR, and state accountability systems, including alignment, rigor, and performance expectations.

Knowledge of assessment design principles, including validity, reliability, alignment, and development of high‑quality items and blueprints.

Knowledge of data‑driven instruction and effective use practices within instructional planning and improvement cycles.

Knowledge of state and federal school improvement frameworks, campus improvement planning, and monitoring processes aligned to accountability systems.

Knowledge of data visualization principles, dashboard design, and best practices for real‑time, user‑centered reporting tools.

Skill in leading cross‑functional initiatives related to assessment systems, data literacy, dashboards, and continuous improvement.

Skill in analyzing, interpreting, and synthesizing complex datasets into actionable insights.Skill in designing and overseeing the development of dashboards and data tools that translate complex data into clear, actionable insights.

Skill in building the capacity of leaders and educators to use data and dashboards to improve instruction and outcomes.

Skill in leading complex analytics, reporting, and data management functions within a large and multifaceted organization.

Skill in designing, implementing, and continuously improving reporting systems, dashboards, data hubs, user‑facing reporting portals, and analytical solutions.

Skill in data visualization, executive reporting, performance monitoring, and communicating complex information in a concise and meaningful manner.

Advanced skill in Microsoft Office applications, business intelligence platforms, data visualization tools, statistical software, database management systems, and SQL or comparable analytical platforms.

Ability to ensure coherence between assessment design, data systems, dashboards, instructional practices, and school improvement efforts.

Ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to diverse audiences.

Ability to lead, develop, supervise, and evaluate professional staff while building organizational capacity, technical expertise, and leadership within the department.

Ability to establish and maintain district‑wide systems that ensure timely, accurate, reliable, and customer‑focused reporting and analytical services.

Ability to synthesize large volumes of information and communicate findings to technical and non‑technical audiences in a manner that supports decision‑making and action.

Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining high standards for quality, accuracy, responsiveness, customer service, and execution.

Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with campus leaders, central office staff, governmental agencies, vendors, researchers, and external partners.

Ability to lead organizational change, modernize systems and processes, and implement innovative technologies that improve efficiency, effectiveness, and access to information.

Ability to facilitate meetings, presentations, and discussions with a wider range of stakeholders and build consensus around data‑informed decisions.

Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.

Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet critical deadlines associated with accountability cycles, state reporting, audits, and other high‑priority initiatives.

Travel Requirements
Travel to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.

Physical & Mental Demands, Work Hazards

Tools/Equipment Used:

Standard office equipment, including computer and peripherals.

Posture:

Prolonged sitting; occasional stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending, pushing/pulling, and twisting.

Motion:

Frequent repetitive hand motions, including keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching.

Lifting:

Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds).

Environment:

Work in an office setting; may require occasional irregular and/or prolonged hours.

Attendance:

Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required for this position.

Mental Demands:

Maintain emotional control under stress; works with frequent interruptions.

Minimum Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required.

Advanced degree in a related field preferred.

Certification/License:

Valid Texas Teaching Certification preferred.

Experience:

Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in data analytics, accountability, performance monitoring, research, or campus‑ or district-level instructional leadership involving data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement, including experience within a K–12 school system, governmental agency, higher education institution, or similarly complex organization required.

Demonstrated experience leading or managing data literacy initiatives, dashboards/data visualization efforts required.

Demonstrated experience using data to drive instructional decision-making and improve student outcomes required.

Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performance teams, fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across multiple functions preferred.

Demonstrated experience developing or implementing local assessments aligned to the TEKS and instructional systems preferred.

This document is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

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