Director of Special Education

Student Support Services Model: 
Our firm belief is that all students, including those with disabilities, can achieve at high levels. We also believe that all students benefit from the inclusion of students with disabilities in the general education classroom. Both research and our own experience demonstrate that students with disabilities perform better with greater access to the general education curriculum and non disabled peers. Based on this belief, we only remove students from the general education classroom when absolutely necessary for the student to learn. Our special education program provides access to our students with disabilities through Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans.

About the Position:

The Director of Special Education is responsible for implementing and maintaining all Special Education and 504 programs for students in grades Pre-K through 12 and ensuring that services comply with the LEA, state, and federal objectives and laws.

The Director of Special Education provides oversight to the Student Support Services team at the three E.L. Haynes campuses, including planning, designing, and implementing all phases of instructional service delivery along the continuum provided by the Special Education staff and serving as a resource to school personnel and families. The Director of Special Education is a Student Support Services team member and reports to the Senior Director of Student Support Services. This is a 12-month position.

You will lead:

Special Education Instruction and Supervision

- Provide strong leadership and implement the overall vision of the special education program vision to ensure continuous organizational development and improvement; Collaborate with school leadership teams to assist with the overall evaluation of inclusionary practices in their schools to identify and develop strategies for improvement;

- Collaborate with school leadership to conduct co-observations and instructional rounds to support academic and behavioral program improvements;

- Evaluate on an ongoing basis the total special education program, curriculum, procedures, and individual students’ needs and achievements;

- Ensure that E. L. Haynes provides a continuum of services for students with disabilities; Understand the administration, principles, and methods of educational and instructional services delivery models;

- Supervise special education instructional staff training, related service providers, and educational aides to ensure well-trained personnel;

- Implement assigned programs and projects to align with LEA and state curriculum and instructional objectives;

- Support teachers by providing instructional best practices and strategies to assist students with disabilities in accessing the grade-level curriculum; and

- Provide feedback to Instructional Leadership Team (ILT), principals, and coaches about general education areas that impact differentiation and observations made in general education classrooms.

Special Education Processes and Procedures

- Develop the appropriate infrastructures, systems, and processes for implementation of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) with fidelity, ensuring that compliance standards, including instructional programs, are designed to maximize student performance;

- Oversee monthly IEP progress reporting by inclusion teachers and service providers; Ensure that IEP accommodations and modifications are shared with all appropriate personnel, including Extended Day Program staff and specials teachers;

- Ensure that IEP accommodations and modifications are provided to students with IEPs during testing;

- Monitor 504 plans for students with disabilities who qualify for them;

- Work with OSSE Placement Specialists to complete the placement process efficiently when needed;

- Coordinate regularly parent advisory group meetings;

- Train Assistant Directors, related service providers, and other staff as necessary in Special Programs System;

- Conduct reviews quarterly using the OSSE monitoring quality checklist;

- Work with the operations and enrollment staff to monitor the collection and timely review of new student information across the LEA;

- Ensure that the referral process across the LEA is timely and thorough and that eligibility decisions are well-made;

- Monitor the scheduling of all special education services for students with IEPs; Coordinate and monitor the “Child Find” Program and carry out multi-disciplinary team decisions for all school placements;

- Manage special education complaints to provide essential services;

- Coordinate with outside agencies to provide services to students and staff; Prepare documentation and report data to provide written support, convey information, and comply with federal and state regulations;

- Communicate information on special education programs, services, and regulations to school personnel, parents, and other LEAs;

- Recruit, hire, supervise, and evaluate LEA-level special education staff;

- Write drafts of special education policy and procedures as needed or required to ensure program consistency and compliance with state and federal rules in all locations; Maintain a high level of knowledge regarding developing special education issues, changes in the laws and case law, and educational methods of educating students with disabilities;

- Ensure that all practices in the LEA are legal and ethical for each student/family so that each child has the opportunity to achieve at a high level and be prepared for post secondary success;

- Ensure E. L. Haynes’ success in both special education audits and compliance monitoring;

- Assist with the preparation of materials to share with auditors and compliance reviewers regarding the special education program; and

- Assist with parent programming and communication.

Qualifications

You Have:

- A bachelor’s degree; preferably in Special Education;

- Three or more years of experience teaching students with disabilities and/or special needs in culturally, demographically, and socially diverse educational settings;

- Three to five years of experience leading special education programs;

- Experience in data-driven instruction;

- A clear understanding of standards-based curriculum and standards-based assessment;

- Experience, comfort, and success in building a positive and supportive classroom culture;

- Used models and exemplars to drive instruction; Strong collaboration skills to ensure student success; and

- Experience with DC Special Education systems (Special Programs, DCCATs, QLIK, SLED/IDS)

You Might Also Have:

- A Washington, D.C. teaching certification;

- A strong background in differentiated and individualized instruction;

- Experience in hands-on learning such as experiential learning or project-based learning;

- Proficiency in another language; and

- A master’s degree in Education or your subject area.