Job Outlook for:
Instructional Coordinators
SOC: 25-9031 OOH: U141
| Instructional Coordinators Quick Stats |
|
| Total Jobs in 2016 | 163,200 |
| Expected Growth | 10% (Faster than average) |
| New Jobs To Be Added from 2016 to 2026 |
16,500 |
| Median Pay | $55,000 to $74,999 |
- Job Outlook for Instructional Coordinators
- Pay for Instructional Coordinators
- What do Instructional Coordinators do all day
- The work environment
- How to become one
Employment Outlook for Instructional Coordinators
Employment of instructional coordinators is projected to grow 10 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations.
States and school districts will continue to be held accountable for test scores and graduation rates, putting more of an emphasis on student achievement data. Schools may increasingly turn to instructional coordinators to develop better curriculums and improve teachers’ effectiveness. The training they provide for teachers in curriculum changes and teaching techniques should help schools to meet their standards in student achievement. As schools seek additional training for teachers, demand for instructional coordinators is projected to grow.
However, many instructional coordinators are employed by state and local governments. Therefore, employment growth will depend largely on state and local government budgets.
Job Prospects
Instructional coordinators with a solid teaching background and leadership experience should have the best job prospects.
Typical Pay for Instructional Coordinators
The median annual wage for instructional coordinators was $62,460 in May 2016. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $35,230, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $100,320.
In May 2016, the median annual wages for instructional coordinators in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Government | $73,060 |
| Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private | 68,110 |
| Educational support services; state, local, and private | 58,650 |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private | 56,740 |
Instructional coordinators generally work full time. Unlike teachers, they typically work year round and do not have summer breaks. Coordinators may meet with teachers and other administrators outside of classroom hours.
What Instructional Coordinators Do All Day
Instructional coordinators oversee school curriculums and teaching standards. They develop instructional material, coordinate its implementation with teachers and principals, and assess its effectiveness.
Duties
Instructional coordinators typically do the following:
- Develop and coordinate the implementation of curriculums
- Plan, organize, and conduct teacher training conferences or workshops
- Analyze student test data
- Assess and discuss the implementation of curriculum standards with school staff
- Review and recommend textbooks and other educational materials
- Recommend teaching techniques and the use of different or new technologies
- Develop procedures for teachers to implement a curriculum
- Train teachers and other instructional staff in new content or programs
- Mentor or coach teachers to improve their skills
Instructional coordinators, also known as curriculum specialists, evaluate the effectiveness of curriculums and teaching techniques established by school boards, states, or federal regulations. They may observe teachers in the classroom, review student test data, and interview school staff about curriculums. Based on their research, they may recommend changes in curriculums to the school board. They may also recommend that teachers use different teaching techniques.
Instructional coordinators may conduct training for teachers related to teaching methods or the use of technology. For example, when a school district introduces new learning standards, instructional coordinators explain the new standards to teachers and demonstrate effective teaching methods to achieve them.
Instructional coordinators may specialize in particular grade levels or specific subjects. Those in elementary and secondary schools may also focus on programs in special education or English as a second language.
Work Environment for Instructional Coordinators
Instructional coordinators held about 163,200 jobs in 2016. The largest employers of instructional coordinators were as follows:
| Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private | 41% |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private | 18 |
| Government | 8 |
| Educational support services; state, local, and private | 6 |
Most instructional coordinators work in an office, but they also may spend part of their time traveling to schools within their school district to teach professional development classes and monitor the implementation of the curriculum.
Work Schedules
Instructional coordinators generally work full time. Unlike teachers, they typically work year round and do not have summer breaks. Coordinators may meet with teachers and other administrators outside of classroom hours.
How To Become an Instructional Coordinator
Instructional coordinators need a master’s degree and related work experience, such as teaching or school administration. Coordinators in public schools may be required to have a state-issued license.
Education
Most employers, particularly public schools, require instructional coordinators to have a master’s degree in education or curriculum and instruction. Some instructional coordinators have a degree in a specialized field, such as math or history.
Master’s degree programs in curriculum and instruction teach about curriculum design, instructional theory, and collecting and analyzing data. To enter these programs, candidates usually need a bachelor’s degree in education.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Instructional coordinators in public schools may be required to have a license, such as a teaching license or an education administrator license. For information about teaching licenses, see the profiles on kindergarten and elementary school teachers, middle school teachers, and high school teachers. For information about education administrator licenses, see the profile on elementary, middle, and high school principals. Check with your state’s Board of Education for specific license requirements.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Most instructional coordinators need several years of related work experience. Experience working as a teacher or previous leadership experience is helpful. For some positions, experience teaching a specific subject or grade level may be required.
Advancement
With enough experience and more education, instructional coordinators can become superintendents or work at the school district level.
Important Qualities
Analytical skills. Instructional coordinators examine student test data and evaluate teaching strategies. Based on their analysis, they develop recommendations for improvements in curriculums and teaching.
Communication skills. Instructional coordinators need to clearly explain changes in the curriculum and teaching standards to teachers, principals, and school staff.
Decisionmaking skills. Instructional coordinators must be able to make sound decisions when recommending changes to curriculums, teaching methods, and textbooks.
Interpersonal skills. Instructional coordinators need to be able to establish and maintain positive working relationships with teachers, principals, and other administrators.
Leadership skills. Instructional coordinators serve as mentors to teachers. They train teachers in developing useful and effective teaching techniques.
"Instructional Coordinators" SOC: 25-9031 OOH Code: U141