Yolanda Laws
Clayton,NC
Summary
Versatile Content Writer proficient in researching, writing and editing diverse content. Works with minimal input to produce engaging, authoritative and error-free work. Autonomous yet communicative with extensive history of superior performance in remote environments. Adept at development and implementation of online assessment creation, with a proven track record of delivering high quality content and experience resulting in exponential student growth.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
English Language Arts Assessment Item Writer - Contract
North Carolina State University
10.2023 - Current
- Independently develop a range of effective original English Language Arts test item types for student facing large scale assessments for the State of North Carolina in grades 3-8, while collaborating with the project content developer through the Center of Urban Affairs & Community Service
- Analyze student data to identify problems in testing and conceptualize solutions based on 7 years of experience in an educational assessment environment, strengthening the complexity and ease of content based on Blooms Taxonomy and extensive knowledge of aligning state standards
- Write, review, revise, and edit test items and passages for a given domain and/or assigned project while having a thorough understanding of scoring techniques with the assistance and feedback of the committee.
- Participate in the design and format of assessments alongside content specialists, ensuring they are engaging, accessible, aligned with best practices in assessment development, and in adherence with product purpose.
Advisory Council Member
The Evaluation Systems Group of Pearson
03.2021 - Current
- Collaboratively work with 20-member research team to review and draft test items for College of Education graduates for the K-12 Elementary Education subtests and Assessment of Professional Knowledge to make strategic decisions confirming that the content of the materials is accurate and equitable for multiple identities, inclusive of all cultures for licensure testing and is in alignment with DEI Standards
- Review quality and alignment of K-12 math, ELA, science, and social studies content.
Team Leader
Wake County Public School System
11.2017 - Current
- Aligned assessments for 120+ diverse students, successfully resulting in 53% of students that were well below grade level, exceeding grade level in under 1 year in ELA Strategically determined educational needs by reviewing curriculum, state specifications, data analysis, and feedback
- Centralized all ELA projects and statewide testing data into Excel to improve ease of access, enhance understanding of content, and develop daily instructional strategies and targeted goals, for 30+ staff members, while leading item development for grades 4-5
- Strategically plan and develop 25 ELA lessons and presentations monthly based on research and knowledge of best practices by recognizing errors, validating rubrics, and drafting improvements to differentiate the curriculum to fulfill specifications of 100+ diversified and multicultural learners, including English Language Learners, Gifted Students, and students with an Individualized Education Plan
- Oversee and facilitate 2 ELA content review meetings a month for team of 4 teachers, impacting 180 students resulting in a 45% increase in student reading scores
- Utilize relative research and contemporary trends, instructional data, and knowledge of educational structures to coordinate and participate in the review of results from assessment and item analysis with content specialists and educators to make data-driven decisions to drive change and promote a more streamlined process in conducting small group interventions using digital resources, in alignment with common core state standards.
- Evaluate all phases of test development in ELA to provide feedback through group reviews to assist with the interpretation of assessment results, development of assessments, and instructional relationships to assessments.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
East Carolina University
Greenville, NCSkills
- K-12 education
- Common Core State Standards
- Curriculum Alignment
- Test Item Development
- Editing and Review
- Leadership
- Online assessment creation
- Data Analysis
- Needs Assessment
- Collaboration
- Quality Assurance
- Presentation Software (Power Point, Google Sheets, Canva)
- Learning Management Systems (Canvas & Blackboard)
- Test Development Software (TDS)
- Content Development
- Fitting Skills
- Curriculum Planning and Implementation
Certification
- TTD 101C1_ELA Reading Standards Grades 3-8 2023
- D101A Test Development Basics 2023
- LETRS 2023
- North Carolina Educators License
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Quote
There’s no shortage of remarkable ideas, what’s missing is the will to execute them.
Seth Godin
Timeline
English Language Arts Assessment Item Writer - Contract
North Carolina State University
10.2023 - Current
Advisory Council Member
The Evaluation Systems Group of Pearson
03.2021 - Current
Team Leader
Wake County Public School System
11.2017 - Current
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
East Carolina University
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