​​Education Research and Evaluation Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established September 22, 1971

Scope

This series specification describes five class levels involved in educational research, evaluation, and assessment in the Department of Education for pre- school through grade 12 students in California. Incumbents in these classes are responsible for the development, conduct, and coordination of statewide programs for accountability, assessment of pupil performance, evaluation of State and Federal educational programs, and research related to educational policy issues.

Definition of Series

Persons in these classes apply knowledge of current national educational research findings and trends to the development of State evaluation, research, assessment, and accountability programs. Incumbents design and conduct research studies of statewide educational policy issues; design and conduct evaluation studies of State and Federal programs; collect data and perform statistical analyses of school performance, enrollment, and demographic data that are used for accountability reporting; develop and refine statistical indicators of quality that are used to measure and compare the performance of schools and to monitor their progress toward State improvement goals; develop computerized statewide databases of school-level information used to generate individual school profiles; develop complex statistical reports of statewide comparative school performance; interpret information to the press, public and local agencies regarding school comparisons, quality indicators, and progress toward achieving State goals; identify and select exemplary schools for state- wide recognition; develop, field test and revise statewide performance assessment instruments in a variety of curriculum content areas; consult with local school officials regarding local achievement test selection, Federal program reporting requirements, and interpretation and use of test results; consult with other Federal and State representatives regarding Federal requirements, statewide trends, and efficacy of reports and programs; and consult with departmental staff regarding the adequacy of evaluation and research designs for departmental programs; and do other related work.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Factors affecting allocation include: the scope and level of responsibilities assigned; the complexity of work; the independence and consequence of action; the impact of decision making on statewide and departmental programs; and the degree of supervision exercised and received.

Definition of Levels

Education Research and Evaluation Assistant

This class is the entry and first journey level in this series. Incumbents typically work under the general supervision of an Administrator to provide department staff and local school officials with consultative and technical evaluative services in less sensitive or complex areas of the program. Incumbents may also work under the lead of a Consultant.

Education Research and Evaluation Consultant

This class is the full journey level in this series responsible for the more complex nonsupervisory assignments. Incumbents typically work under direction of an Administrator I or higher level position performing sensitive and com​plex education research and evaluation assignments with broad impact. Consultants may also function as a team leader for large or complex projects or as a lead over Assistant level staff, other professional entry or first journey level staff, or lower level technical and support staff.

Education Research and Evaluation Administrator I

This is the first supervisory level in this series. The Administrator I normally reports to a higher level administrator in the field of education research and evaluation and supervises a group (normally 3-10) of professional research staff primarily at the Consultant and Assistant levels. Under direc- tion, the Administrator I plans, organizes and directs the work of a program unit, and may assist in the overall administration of the education program research, assessment, and evaluation functions of the Department of Education. Nonsupervisory positions may occasionally be allocated to this class to perform the most high level studies and projects for programs that are multi- unit or multidivisional in scope. Incumbents in nonsupervisory positions typically report to an Assistant Superintendent or higher level position.

Education Research and Evaluation Administrator II

This is the first managerial level class in this series. Under general direc- tion from an Assistant Superintendent or higher level, incumbents provide leadership and management for a small program division or a major unit in a larger program division, and direct a staff which typically includes two or three positions at the Administrator I level, 10 to 20 Consultant and Assis​tant positions, as well as other professional research staff, technicians, and support staff positions.

Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction for Research and Evaluation, CEA

This level is responsible for promoting, planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating a major program division responsible for education program research, evaluation, or assessment functions in the Department of Educa- tion. Under administrative direction, an incumbent has primary leadership responsibility including program and policy development, implementation, and management. The position generally reports to a higher level executive administrator and, as assigned, represents the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education with the executive and legisla​tive branches of the Federal and State Government, local educational agencies, the public, and the press.

Minimum Qualifications

Education Requirements

All Levels:

Possession of an earned master's or doctorate degree.

Experience Requirements

All Levels:

1. Experience applicable to one of the following patterns may be combined on a proportional basis with experience applicable to the other pattern to meet the total experience requirement.

2. Experience in the California state service applied toward the general experience pattern must include the same number of years of qualifying experience as required in the promotional pattern performing the duties of a class with a level of responsibility not less than that described in the promotional pattern.

Education Research and Evaluation Assistant

Two years of experience in an educational or behavioral science setting which shall have included independent or major shared responsibility for conducting educational research or evaluation studies, or educational assessment develop- ment or implementation activities, including extensive technical involvement, at either:

1. A school district, or county, State, or Federal education agency; or

2. A college or university, with faculty responsibility; or

3. A research institution.

Education Research and Evaluation Consultant

Either I

One year of experience in California state service performing professional educational research, evaluation or assessment duties at a level of responsibility equivalent to that obtained in the class of Education Research and Evaluation Assistant, Range B. Or II Three years of experience in an educational or behavioral science setting which shall have included independent or major shared responsibility for conducting educational research or evaluation studies, or educational assessment development or implementation activities, including extensive technical involvement, at either:

1. A school district, or county, State, or Federal education agency; or

2. A college or university, with faculty responsibility; or

3. A research institution.

Education Research and Evaluation Administrator I

Either I

One year of experience in California state service performing professional educational research, evaluation or assessment duties at a level of respon​sibility equivalent to that obtained in the class of Education Research and Evaluation Consultant. Or II Two years of experience in California state service performing professional educational research, evaluation, or assessment duties at a level of responsi​bility equivalent to that obtained in the class of Education Research and Evaluation Assistant, Range B. Or III Three years of administrative, supervisory or equivalent staff level experi- ence in an educational or behavioral science setting which shall have included independent or major shared responsibility for conducting educational research or evaluation studies, or educational assessment development or implementation activities, including extensive technical involvement, at either:

1. A school district, or county, State, or Federal education agency; or

2. A college or university, with faculty responsibility; or

3. A research institution.

Education Research and Evaluation Administrator II

Either I

One year of experience in California state service performing professional educational research, evaluation, or assessment duties at a level of responsibility equivalent to that obtained in the class of Education Research and Evaluation Administrator I. Or II Two years of experience in California state service performing professional educational research, evaluation, or assessment duties at a level of responsibility equivalent to that obtained in the class of Education Research and Evaluation Consultant. Or III Four years of administrative, supervisory or equivalent staff level experi- ence, in an educational or behavioral science setting which shall have included independent or major shared responsibility for conducting educational research or evaluation studies, or educational assessment development or implementation activities, including extensive technical involvement, at either:

1. A school district, or county, State, or Federal education agency; or

2. A college or university, with faculty responsibility; or

3. A research institution.

Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction for Research and Evaluation, CEA

Either I

One year of experience in California state service performing professional educational research, evaluation, or assessment duties at a level of responsi​bility equivalent to that obtained in the class of Education Research and Evaluation Administrator II. Or II Two years of experience in California state service performing professional educational research, evaluation, or assessment duties at a level of responsibility equivalent to that obtained in the class of Education Research and Evaluation Administrator I. Or III Five years of administrative, supervisory or equivalent staff level experience in an educational or behavioral science setting which shall have included independent or major shared responsibility for conducting educational research or evaluation studies, or educational assessment development or implementation activities, including extensive technical involvement, at either:

1. A school district, or county, State, or Federal education agency; or

2. A college or university, with faculty responsibility; or

3. A research institution.

Knowledge and Abilities

Education Research and Evaluation Assistant

Knowledge of: The principles, practices and trends in public elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education, including: current theory and trends in educational research and in statistical analysis methodologies utilized in the behavioral sciences; current theory and trends in education policy devel​opment; current theory and trends in qualitative and quantitative evaluation design and methodology; and current theory, issues, and approaches to the development and implementation of educational assessment.

Ability to: Exercise creativity in the conduct of educational research, eval​uation or assessment activities; maintain current knowledge in educational research issues; apply current educational policy to research, evaluation and assessment activities; select and apply appropriate statistical measurements to a variety of educational data and draw inferences; present ideas clearly, concisely, and persuasively both verbally and in writing; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; effectively interpret and explain research, evaluation, and assessment information to a variety of audiences; work collegially to accomplish cooperative projects; and exercise tact, resourcefulness and judgment with all groups contacted in the work.

Education Research and Evaluation Consultant

Knowledge of: In addition to the above, the California public and private school system; school administrative practices; the functions of the Califor​nia Department of Education; the functions of schools, districts, and county offices of education; Federal and State education laws; and the Department of Education's rules and regulations.

Ability to: In addition to the above, assume leadership and exercise cre- ativity in the design, conduct and administration of educational research, evaluation and assessment activities; interpret educational policy; and develop well-informed policy recommendations.

Education Research and Evaluation Administrator I

Knowledge of: In addition to the above, the organization of the California Department of Education; principles of employee development, training and supervision; the Department of Education's mission, goals, programs and policies; the Department of Education's Affirmative Action Program objectives; and a supervisor's role in the affirmative action and labor relations programs and the processes available to meet the objectives of these programs.

Ability to: In addition to the above, effectively and efficiently manage a staff and program within the resources provided; review and edit written documents; establish and maintain project and departmental priorities; work effectively with administrative personnel in the Department and in other governmental agencies; supervise subordinate staff; and effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives.

Education Research and Evaluation Administrator II

Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction for Research and Evaluation, CEA

Knowledge of: In addition to the above, principles of public administration, budgeting and personnel management.

Ability to: In addition to the above, provide leadership and direction to statewide educational research, evaluation or assessment activities; work effectively with top management staff in the Department and other governmental agencies.

Special Personal Requirement

Willingness to travel throughout the State.

Class History