Title: Special Education Coordinator 

Purpose of Position: To ensure Audubon’s special education department complies with all state and federal guidelines 

Employment Status: Full-time Reporting

Reports to: Principal 

Location: Assigned Campus

Essential Functions:

• Ensure compliance with local, state and federal policies regarding Special Education
• Manage the eSER platform to ensure all IEPs are current and compliant including service-providers assignments, jurisdiction, and submission of all IEPs
• Oversee the work of case managers to make sure all timelines are met (annual IEP meetings, service logs, progress reporting, etc.)
• Provide leadership and support to school staff on compliance issues.
• Develop and provide Professional development  for teachers and special education staff 
• Work closely with the Pupil Appraisal team and specialists to provide appropriate services 
• Schedule and conduct classroom visits to ensure IEPs goals are met 
• Develop plans of action to address identified compliance issues
• Develop and implement technical support and training to assist schools in addressing identified and ongoing compliance regulations as outlined in State Performance Plan (SPP) Indicators.
• Responsible for the evaluation of SPED personnel (teachers, child specific, and any other school-based staff working with students with IEPs)
• Responsible for ensuring effectiveness of related-service providers 
• Conduct training for case-managers on special education process and IEP development through the use of  eSER
• Conduct investigations regarding any legal issues that involve due process hearings, OCR Complaints, and MSDE complaints. Organize and compile the necessary documents for review by CCPS’ attorneys and appropriate investigators.
• Ensure that student progress is evaluated on a systematic basis and that the findings are used to make programming more effective
• Supervise and serve as the lead facilitator for Student Assistance Team committees involving change of placement and initial development of Individualized Educational Plans for special populations (as applicable)
• Provide guidance and manage the referral process for special populations including universal screenings, referral, intervention/support, evaluation, drafting of IEP (IAP creation as applicable), plan implementation and necessary follow-up/support
• Work with school staff,  Community Agencies and other Education Providers (i.e. Contracted Special Education Services) to provide services to students and notify parents and students of available services 
• Compile, maintain and file all physical and computerized reports, records and other documents as required for compliance of special education
• Knowledge of legal issues and requirements related to all areas of SPED, G/T (and RTI as applicable)
• Liaise with Pupil Appraisal and manage evaluation and re-evaluation timelines
• With Student Service Coordinator (if applicable) responsible for verification of implementation of accommodations and modifications by teachers and staff

Monitor the effectiveness of programming for special education and provide guidance to the Sped Case-managers and staff on necessary programmatic changes and expectations to ensure increased student achievement for special education.

• Create tools to measure and monitor the effectiveness of programs implemented to support special education
• Coordinate discipline procedures for special education with Site Administration
• Obtain and use evaluative findings (including student achievement data) to gauge special education program effectiveness
• Ensure that all IEP and IAP plans meet all federal, state, local and network requirements including service minutes, progress reporting curriculum supports and accommodations

Supervise and lead a team of  SpEd Case Managers and instructional staff to support effective implementation of programming for special education.

• Provide guidance and manage the referral process for special populations including universal screenings, referral, intervention/support, evaluation, IEP/IAP creation, plan implementation and necessary follow-up/support
• Supervise all Contracted Special Education providers
• Work with staff to build transition plans for special education
• Work with Site Administration to evaluate the job performance of staff to ensure effective delivery of services

In partnership with instructional leaders, design and lead effective professional development in support of special education.  Ensure alignment with network beliefs for professional learning, LDOE Guidelines for special populations.

• Encourage and support the development of innovative instructional programs, helping teachers to pilot such efforts when appropriate
• Develop training options and/or improvement plans to ensure exemplary operations in special education

 Facilitate relationships to be leveraged in the support of special education.

• Establish and maintain open lines of communication by conducting conferences with Senior Administration, parents, students and staff concerning vital issues
• Work with School Counselor, Community Agencies and other Education Providers (i.e. Contracted Special Education Services) to provide services to students and notify parents and students of available services 
• Use appropriate and effective techniques to encourage community and parent involvement

Oversee state and district reporting and compliance for special education, including preparation and submission of all reports and data for federal, state and district monitoring in regard to special education.

• Compile, maintain and file all physical and computerized reports, records and other documents as required for compliance of special education

Note: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with it. Responsibilities may change based on the evolving needs of the school and its students.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

This position requires an organized and empathetic leader who is able to provide strategic leadership, supervision, guidance and support for a variety of stakeholders across all special populations. Applicants must demonstrate:

• Interest  in  providing  only  the  highest  quality  educational,  social  and  emotional experiences for all students and their families
• Ability to build strong relationships with multiple stakeholders and view complex issues from multiple perspectives
• Knowledge of legal issues and requirements related to all areas of SPED, ELL, G/T and RTI
• Demonstrated skills in facilitation, negotiation and conflict resolution
• Demonstrated skills in data gathering and analysis, project planning and evaluation
• Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively with all people, including those from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality related to student information and personnel matters
• Knowledge of curriculum, instructional strategies, IEP/IAP creation, all federal, state and local legislation related to special populations
• Ability to perform in high stress environment and meet assigned deadlines

Education, Training and Experience:

REQUIRED

• Master’s degree in education, school psychology or related area
• 5+ years as a Special Education teacher or related experience
• Certification or ability to gain certification as an Educational Diagnostician, Parish/City Supervisor of Special Education or School Psychology
• Experience leading and managing adults

PREFERRED

• Master’s degree + 30 or doctorate degree in education, school psychology or related area
• 5+ years in a SPED supervisory role
• National Certification as an Educational Diagnostician or Clinical Psychologist
• Certification as a School Principal or Educational Leader
• Experience in and/or understanding of the public school system including charter schools is desirable