Instructional Coordinators

Instructional Coordinators

Do you enjoy teaching but wish to specialize? Are you up for the challenge of updating and improving educational standards to train teachers and develop new materials? Or maybe you see a role as a curriculum specialist in the future? Perhaps teacher evaluation techniques, curriculum training, new teacher induction, consulting and teacher support, and observation and analysis of teaching is more your cup of tea. The career education information presented here will help you learn more about the types of instructional coordinator jobs available, the educational requirements, what the job outlook is, and salary expectations.

Learn more in the career education information listed below:

Overview

• Many instructional coordinators are former teachers or principals.
• A bachelor's degree is the minimum educational requirement; however, a graduate degree is preferred.
• The need to update and improve educational standards will create more demand for instructional coordinators to train teachers and develop new materials.

Job Description

Instructional coordinators, also known as curriculum specialists, staff development specialists, or directors of instructional material, play a large role in improving the quality of education in the classroom. They develop instructional materials, train teachers, and assess educational programs in terms of quality and adherence to regulations and standards. They also assist in implementing new technology in the classroom. Instructional coordinators often specialize in specific subjects, such as language arts, mathematics, social studies, gifted and talented, or English as a Second Language.

Instructional coordinators evaluate how well a school's curriculum meets students' needs. They research teaching methods and techniques and develop procedures to determine whether program goals are being met. To aid in their evaluation, they may meet with members of educational committees and advisory groups to learn about subjects - English, history, or mathematics, for example - and to relate curriculum materials to these subjects, to students' needs, and to occupations for which these subjects are good preparation. They also may develop questionnaires and interview school staff about the curriculum. Based on their research and observations of instructional practice, they recommend instruction and curriculum improvements.

Another duty instructional coordinators have is to review textbooks, software, and other educational materials and make recommendations on purchases. They monitor materials ordered and the ways in which teachers use them in the classroom. They also supervise workers who catalogue, distribute, and maintain a school's educational materials and equipment.

Instructional coordinators find effective ways to use technology to enhance student learning. They monitor the introduction of new technology, including the Internet, into a school's curriculum. In addition, instructional coordinators might recommend installing educational computer software, such as interactive books and exercises designed to enhance student literacy and develop math skills. Instructional coordinators may invite experts - such as computer hardware, software, and library or media specialists - into the classroom to help integrate technological materials into a school's curriculum.

Many instructional coordinators plan and provide onsite education for teachers and administrators. They may train teachers about the use of materials and equipment or help them to improve their skills. Instructional coordinators also mentor new teachers and train experienced ones in the latest instructional methods. This role becomes especially important when a school district introduces new content, program innovations, or different organizational structure. For example, when a State or school district introduces standards or tests that must be met by students in order to pass to the next grade, instructional coordinators often must advise teachers on the content of the standards and provide instruction on implementing the standards in the classroom.

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Working Conditions

Instructional coordinators, including those employed by school districts, work year round, usually in comfortable offices or classrooms. Some spend much of their time traveling between schools meeting with teachers and administrators. The opportunity to shape and improve instructional curricula and work in an academic environment can be satisfying. However, some instructional coordinators find the work stressful because the occupation requires continual accountability to school administrators and, occasionally, long hours.

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Employment

Instructional coordinators held about 81,000 jobs in 2000. Two in three worked in public and private education, which includes elementary, secondary, and technical schools and colleges and universities. Another 1 in 10 worked for Departments of Education in State and local governments. The remainder worked primarily in management and public relations establishments, in which they did educational consulting and developed instructional materials sold to schools; and in child daycare services.

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Education, Training & Qualifications

The minimum educational requirement for instructional coordinators is a bachelor's degree, usually in education. Most employers, however, prefer candidates with a master's degree or higher, either in a field such as curriculum and instruction, educational technology, or instructional technology, or in an instructional content area, such as mathematics. Instructional coordinators must have a good understanding of how to teach specific groups of students, in addition to expertise in developing educational materials. Therefore, several years of teaching experience is, although not mandatory, highly desirable. Experience in an administrative position, such as principal or assistant principal, also is beneficial.

Courses in curriculum development and evaluation, research design, and computer literacy are recommended. Moreover, instructional coordinators usually are required to take continuing education courses to keep their skills current. Courses may include teacher evaluation techniques, curriculum training, new teacher induction, consulting and teacher support, and observation and analysis of teaching.

Instructional coordinators must be able to make sound decisions about curriculum options and to organize and coordinate work efficiently. They should have strong interpersonal and communication skills. Familiarity with computer technology also is important for instructional coordinators, who are increasingly involved in gathering and coordinating technical information for students and teachers.

Depending on experience and educational attainment, instructional coordinators may advance to higher positions in a school system, or to management or executive positions in private industry.

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Job Outlook

Employment of instructional coordinators is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2010. Rising school enrollments, more student services, and a continuing emphasis on improving the quality of education will spur demand. Instructional coordinators will be instrumental in developing new curricula to meet the demands of a changing society and in training the teacher workforce. As more States institute standards for different grade levels, coordinators will be needed to incorporate the standards into curriculums and make sure teachers and administrators are informed of the changes.

Instructional coordinators also will be needed to provide classes on using technology in the classroom, to keep teachers up-to-date on changes in their fields, and to demonstrate new teaching techniques. Professional training for teachers will grow in importance as more individuals enter the teaching profession without an education background or experience.

Job growth for instructional coordinators also will stem from the increasing emphasis on lifelong learning and on programs for students with special needs, including those for whom English is a second language. These students often require more educational resources and consolidated planning and management within the educational system.

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Salary Expectations

Median annual earnings of instructional coordinators in 2000 were $44,230. The middle 50 percent earned between $32,150 and $58,480. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,370, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $72,020.

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Related Occupations

Instructional coordinators are professionals involved in education and training and development, which requires organizational, administrative, teaching, research, and communication skills. Occupations with similar characteristics include preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers; postsecondary teachers; education administrators; counselors; and human resources, training, and labor relations managers and specialists.

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Associations, Resources & Accreditation

Information on requirements and job opportunities for instructional coordinators is available from local school systems and State departments of education.

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Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2002-03 Edition, Instructional Coordinators, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/

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