Director of Early Learning Initiatives
About The Position
The Oklahoma Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (OEQA) supports high-quality education for all students in Oklahoma. OEQA uses data, research, analytics, and policy alignment to provide accessible, actionable information that supports sound decision-making, strengthens educational outcomes, and promotes the effective use of public resources. OEQA is seeking a strategic leader with expertise in educator preparation, early learning policy, and instructional best practices. The ideal candidate understands how teacher preparation, certification, and professional learning systems influence student outcomes and can align these systems with research-based practices in early literacy and numeracy. This individual will play a key role in strengthening educator preparation and ensuring alignment with state policy priorities. The Director of Early Learning Initiatives provides leadership for aligning educator preparation, certification pathways, and professional learning expectations with state policy and research-based practices in early literacy and mathematics. This position focuses on upstream system design and policy alignment rather than program implementation. The ideal candidate will have experience with educator preparation programs, policy analysis, and cross-agency collaboration, along with a strong understanding of early learning instruction and intervention.
Requirements
- Master’s degree required in special education, early childhood, elementary, reading or literacy education, public policy, or related field.
- At least 7 years of experience in educator preparation, education policy, or program administration.
- Experience with teacher preparation programs, accreditation, or certification systems.
- Strong understanding of early literacy and/or mathematics instruction.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across agencies or organizations.
- Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with educator preparation program approval or accreditation.
- Knowledge of science of reading and research-based mathematics instruction.
- Experience with policy development or legislative processes.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects effectively.
Responsibilities
- Ensure educator preparation programs align with state requirements for early literacy and mathematics instruction.
- Support incorporation of research-based instructional practices into program approval and accreditation standards.
- Ensure teacher candidates are prepared in evidence-based strategies for instruction, intervention, and assessment.
- Support alignment of certification requirements, including alternative and emergency pathways, with state expectations for literacy and mathematics instruction.
- Ensure required training components reflect statutory and research-based expectations.
- Work with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and educator preparation providers to align coursework and training expectations.
- Support integration of required competencies in early literacy and mathematics into teacher preparation programs.
- Provide guidance on professional development expectations related to early literacy and mathematics instruction.
- Collaborate with partner agencies to align educator preparation with in-service professional learning systems.
- Analyze legislation and policy related to early learning and educator preparation.
- Translate statutory requirements into actionable guidance for OEQA programs and stakeholders.
- Advise OEQA leadership on policy implications and system alignment.
- Monitor national research and best practices in early literacy and mathematics instruction.
- Ensure OEQA standards and guidance reflect current evidence-based practices.
- Serve as OEQA liaison to partner agencies on educator preparation and training alignment.
- Coordinate with stakeholders to ensure consistency in expectations across preparation, certification, and professional learning systems.
- Present information clearly to leadership and stakeholders.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
