K-12 Assessment Writer Role at Instructure - Edtech in Columbus
Career & Market Insight
This freelance Assessment Writer/Editor role at Instructure offers a low-commitment entry point into the edtech industry — ideal for educators, curriculum developers, or former teachers looking to monetize their subject-matter expertise without a full-time commitment.
Compensation: No salary data is disclosed; pay is per-project. Freelance assessment writing in the edtech space typically ranges from $15–$50 per item depending on complexity, or $500–$3,000+ per assessment form. Rates vary significantly by subject, item type, and publisher. Be sure to negotiate rates upfront.
Skills developed:
- Psychometric and assessment design principles (Depth of Knowledge, Bloom's Taxonomy)
- Familiarity with assessment management systems and tech-enhanced item authoring
- Standards alignment (Common Core, NGSS, state-specific standards)
- Portfolio-worthy experience with a well-known edtech brand (Canvas/Instructure)
Green flags: Instructure is a major, established edtech company (Canvas LMS), so having their name on your freelance portfolio carries weight. The flexible, project-based nature means you can take on multiple clients simultaneously.
Red flags: No guaranteed hours or income stability — this is purely supplemental or side-income work unless you build a large contract pipeline. The lack of disclosed rates means compensation clarity depends entirely on your negotiation. Background check requirements are somewhat unusual for a freelance role and worth clarifying in scope.
At Instructure, we believe in the power of people to grow and succeed throughout their lives. Our goal is to amplify that power by creating intuitive products that simplify learning and personal development, facilitate meaningful relationships, and inspire people to go further in their education and careers. We do this by giving smart, creative, passionate people opportunities to create awesome solutions.
Instructure's Assessment Content Team is seeking freelance Assessment Writers and Editors to support the development of assessment products, including the Mastery View Predictive Assessments, Mastery View College Prep Assessments, and Mastery Item Banks. Item writers and editors will assist with the development of assessment products by creating, reviewing, formatting, and revising test items and assessments.
This is a contractor position with variable and flexible hours that are negotiated on a project-by-project basis. This role is compensated on a per-project basis.
Responsibilities:
- Work independently and collaboratively with the assessment content team to create, review, edit, and/or revise test items based on state standards and grade-level appropriateness to meet internal and external deadlines.
- Execute against blueprints to develop well-rounded assessments to meet customer needs.
Requirements:
- Strong professional assessment writing and/or editing experience — particularly experience authoring tech-enhanced items directly in an assessment management system.
- Strong understanding of what makes well-composed and balanced assessment items and forms.
- Ability to write assessment items for students in K–12th grade with a strong understanding of Depth of Knowledge, rigor, differentiation, text complexity, and readability.
- Deep knowledge of academic standards and how to design strongly-aligned assessments.
- Ability to provide constructive feedback regarding assessment items or design.
- Subject-matter expertise in ELA, math, science, or social studies.
- Experience in education; former teaching experience is a plus but is not required.
- Experience working with educational publishers is a plus.
Benefits & Perks:
- Competitive compensation; full-time employees participate in an ownership program.
- Flexible work culture — remote, hybrid, and in-office collaboration spaces vary by role, team, and location.
- Generous time off, including local holidays and an annual "Dim the Lights" period in late December.
- Comprehensive wellness programs and mental health support.
- Learning and development resources, including professional development tools and tuition reimbursement.
- The technology and tools you need to do your best work.
- Motivosity employee recognition program.
- A culture rooted in inclusivity, support, and meaningful connection.
We've always believed in hiring the most awesome people and treating them right. We know that the more diverse we are, the more diverse our ideas will be, and when we openly welcome those ideas, our environment is better and our business is stronger.
At Instructure, we participate in E-Verify and we are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We comply with applicable employment and anti-discrimination laws in every country where we operate.
All candidates must successfully pass a background check upon being hired. Candidates may be asked to verify their legal name, current physical location, and provide a valid contact number and residential address, in accordance with local data privacy laws. Any attempt to misrepresent personal or professional information will result in disqualification.