Part Time Consultant - National Center on Time and Learning with MA ESE
NCTL is seeking an experienced consultant to manage two key projects we are launching in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MA ESE). The consultant would work part-time, approximately 3 days per week between March and October 2012.
The consultant would be based primarily at ESE, working closely with ESE staff but would also interact with NCTL staff on a regular basis and would be paid by NCTL. The two projects are:
1)MA ELT Planning Process
NCTL and MA ESE have worked collaboratively for six years to develop and implement the MA Expanded Learning Time (ELT) Initiative, the first-in-the-nation statewide effort to help schools expand the school day or year to support student achievement and enable a well-rounded education. There are currently 19 schools participating in the initiative. These schools receive state funding to operate with a school calendar that includes an additional 300 hours per year. In the next several weeks MA ESE plans to release an RFP to schools and districts across the Commonwealth which will provide an opportunity for additional schools to join the initiative. The consultant would work with ESE staff to release the RFP, communicate with interested schools and districts, develop selection criteria and implement a selection process. For more information on the MA ELT initiative see: http://www.mass2020.org/files/file/2011%20MA%20Update(1).pdf
2)TIME Collaborative
NCTL is working with the Ford Foundation to launch a multi-state initiative called the TIME Collaborative. Through the TIME Collaborative a group of 3-5 states would commit to harness federal funding using new flexibilities afforded by the ESEA waiver process to implement high-quality expanded learning time programs. Massachusetts is exploring joining the TIME Collaborative as one of the lead state partners. NCTL is seeking a consultant that can support MA ESE in designing the state's plan for the TIME Collaborative including: identifying and repurposing federal funding, developing guidelines for schools and districts, communicating with schools and districts about the opportunities available, developing a longer term staffing plan for MA ESE to manage the initiative and other key tasks.
Key Qualifications
Consultant should possess strong knowledge and experience in state education policy and reform initiatives and be an excellent project manager. Strong communications skills required including ability to develop requests for proposals, implementation guidelines, briefing documents and presentations. Ideal candidates would have prior experience working with MA ESE or other state education departments. Other required skills include: ability to work independently, manage complex projects, interact and collaborate with a wide variety of stakeholders, and a high degree of organization and follow-through.
Interested consultants should send a resume and cover letter describing relevant past experience to: Claire Kaplan, VP of Strategy and Knowledge Management: [email protected]
