Median annual earnings of instructional coordinators in 2002 were $47,350. The middle 50 percent earned between $34,450 and $62,460. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,880, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $76,820.
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 reading, language arts, mathematics, or social studies.
Instructional coordinators evaluate how well a school's curriculum, or plan of study, 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 develop 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. 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 a 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.
.Employment of instructional coordinators is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012. Over the next decade, instructional coordinators will be instrumental in developing new curricula to meet the demands of a changing society and in training the teacher workforce. Although budget cuts, particularly in the near term, may negatively impact employment to some extent, a continuing emphasis on improving the quality of education is expected to result in a relatively steady and increasing demand for these workers. As increasing Federal, State and local standards impel more schools to focus on improving educational quality and student performance, growing numbers of coordinators will be needed to incorporate the standards into curriculums and make sure teachers and administrators are informed of the changes. Opportunities are expected to be best for those who specialize in subject areas that have been targeted for improvement by the No Child Left Behind Act—namely, reading, math, and science.
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. Additional job growth for instructional coordinators 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.
The minimum educational requirement for instructional coordinators is a bachelor's degree, usually in education. Most employers, however, prefer candidates with a master's or higher degree. Many instructional coordinators have training in curriculum development and instruction, or in a specific academic field, such as mathematics or history. Instructional coordinators must have a good understanding of how to teach specific groups of students, in addition to expertise in developing educational materials. As a result, many persons transfer into instructional coordinator jobs after working for several years as teachers. Work experience in an education administrator position, such as principal or assistant principal, also is beneficial. Specific requirements for instructional coordinator jobs vary depending on the particular position or school district. They may also vary by State.
Helpful college courses may include those in curriculum development and evaluation, instructional approaches, or research design, which teaches how to create and implement research studies to determine the effectiveness of a given method of curriculum or instruction, or to measure and improve student performance. Moreover, instructional coordinators usually are required to take continuing education courses to keep their skills current. Topics for continuing education 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.
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.
Information on requirements and job opportunities for instructional coordinators is available from local school systems and State departments of education.
Educators face a puzzling variety of materials, technology, goals, and advice. These workers help schools piece them together. What do directors of instructional material; educational consultants, specialists, and technologists; instructional designers; and staff development specialists all have in common. They fall under a broader job title--instructional coordinators. They evaluate school curricula, develop educational materials, and recommend and monitor curriculum and material changes introduced into school systems.
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Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. Job Zone Examples These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Examples include athletic trainers, lawyers, managing editors, phyicists, social psychologists, and surgeons. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
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Job outlook is expected to be excellent because a large proportion of education administrators are expected to retire over the next 10 years. Education administrators provide instructional leadership as well as manage the day-to-day activities in schools, preschools, daycare centers, and colleges and universities. They also direct the educational programs of businesses, correctional institutions, museums, and job training and community service organizations. Those who manage elementary, middle, and secondary schools are called principals. Principals also meet and interact with other administrators, students, parents, and representatives of community organizations.
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Many instructional coordinators are former teachers or principals. They help schools meet government standards for what students achieve and how they achieve it. They seek out the best books and technology for classrooms, and help everyone learn how to use them. Comfortable making decisions that affect classroom learning. You'll enjoy this work if you are equally comfortable with people, books, and computer technology.
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Research, evaluate, and prepare recommendations on curricula, instructional methods, and materials for school systems. Update the content of educational programs to ensure that students are being trained with equipment and processes that are technologically current. Develop classroom-based and distance learning training courses, using needs assessments and skill level analyses. Prepare or approve manuals, guidelines, and reports on state educational policies and practices for distribution to school districts. Observe work of teaching staff in order to evaluate performance, and to recommend changes that could strengthen teaching skills.
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A bachelor's degree is the minimum educational requirement, but a graduate degree is preferred. The need to meet new educational standards will create more demand for instructional coordinators to train teachers and develop new materials. They also assist in implementing new technology in the classroom. Instructional coordinators evaluate how well a school's curriculum, or plan of study, meets students' needs. They also may develop questionnaires and interview school staff about the curriculum.
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