Reading Specialist

Tri County Special Education • Bloomington, IL

4d

About The Position

The Reading Specialist (Diagnostic Focus) serves as the school’s leading expert in identifying the root causes of literacy challenges. Unlike a general literacy coach, this role is deeply rooted in clinical assessment and data-driven intervention. You will be responsible for administering advanced diagnostic tools, interpreting complex cognitive-linguistic profiles, and designing "Tier 3" intensive instructional plans for students who struggle most with reading and writing.

Requirements

• Master's Degree in Reading/Literacy
• State Reading Specialist Endorsement
• Minimum of 3-5 years of classroom teaching experience with a focus on literacy
• proficiency with diagnostic tools (examples CTOPP-2, Woodcock-Johnson, GORT-5)
• deep understanding of the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy

Nice To Haves

• Certification in a multisensory, structured language program (e.g., OG, LETRS).
• Experience navigating the legal requirements of IDEA and Section 504.
• A "detective" mindset—the ability to look past a low test score to find why a student is struggling.

Responsibilities

• Advanced Diagnostic Evaluation ● Conduct comprehensive assessments for students referred through the MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) or Special Education process. ● Identify specific markers of Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and other language-based learning disabilities. ● Evaluate core literacy components including phonological processing, rapid automatic naming (RAN), decoding efficiency, and language comprehension.
• Data Interpretation & Reporting ● Analyze assessment data to create detailed Literacy Profiles for individual students. ● Translate complex data into actionable classroom strategies for teachers and IEP teams. ● Monitor progress using curriculum-based measures (CBMs) to ensure interventions are working.
• Intensive Intervention Design ● Develop and occasionally deliver Evidence-Based Interventions (e.g., Orton-Gillingham, Wilson Reading System) for students in the lowest percentiles. ● Collaborate with the Special Education team to write measurable literacy goals for Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
• Consultation & Leadership ● Serve as a key member of the Child Study Team and MTSS Committee. ● Provide professional development to staff on the Science of Reading and how to interpret diagnostic data. ● Advise parents on assessment results and provide home-based literacy support strategies.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time