Student Services and Supports Director

Job Summary

The Director, Student Services and Supports serves as the lead for all areas related to Special Education and Title programs. Specifically, the Manager, Student Services and Supports is responsible for the oversight of the Special Education and English language learner areas. The role coordinates with central office staff, directors, and Special Education Teachers of Record (ToRs) as it relates to implementing the policies and procedures related to delivering high-quality services to students specific to IDEA Part B and Article 7. The Director is responsible for the federal IDEA Part B and state special education grants and related requirements, including compliance monitoring. Similarly, the position oversees Title III and NESP related to English learners. This role advises school directors and staff with specific legal requirements, regulations, legislation, and programs that will guide all staff to mold the educational experiences of a diverse group of special needs students to develop and implement supportive, prescriptive, and realistic Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or supportive accommodations for those who qualify under ADA and are above the age of 22, as well as Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) for English learners. The Manager supervises and manages two Compliance Specialists who are focused on providing support for these areas.

Example Duties and Activities

• Partners with central office and special education staff to improve central office processes, communication, and compliance as it relates to special education and English learners and provides high-quality services to students.

• Assists with the review of school special education, Title I, and English learner programs, procedures, and areas for improvement by conducting ongoing needs assessments, collecting and evaluating data, and using pertinent data to refine and improve operational functions and services; program initiatives.

• Aids in the development of Special Education and English Learner policies and forges consensus for change and improvement.

• Facilitates research regarding trends and best practices in special education to support appropriate recommendations for student success through rigorous, innovative, and technological programming.

• Reviews federal and state legislation and regulations related to and governing special education and English learners; identifies and shares the impact of changes with school directors, English Language Teachers of Record (TORs), Special Education Teachers of Records, and other personnel.

• Provides regular communication and programming advice for each site, including guidance and support to school directors in the areas of compliance including 504 plans.

• Monitors and makes recommendations for Child Find activities for all schools' referral activities.

• Partners with school directors on the creation and implementation of the evaluation tool for special education and English learner staff.

• Assists with the monitoring of special education staff and related transition services in order to promote student success in and after high school. Assists ToRs in developing and carrying out transition plans for special education students.

• Collaborates with school-based administrators regarding the discipline of students with disabilities and appropriate behavioral interventions.

• Plans and facilitates professional development for all Special Education staff, and provides similar support related to English Learner staff and staff supporting Title programs.

• Supervise the development of curriculum, progress monitoring, and assessment for Special Education and English Learner students

• Ensure appropriate testing accommodations are written into Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), 504s, and Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) and that accommodations are provided for testing

• Develop rubrics for compliance monitoring to ensure high-quality planning/success and take corrective action when needed

• Provides instructional leadership to school sites in the development of quality English language, Title I, and special education programs and services including the administration of WIDA assessments.

• Coordinates the recruitment, candidate screening, and hiring process for all special education staff.

• Responsible for the completion and implementation of IDEA Part B, State special education grants, and title grants, including Title I, Title II, Title III, and other similar education grants.

• Manages vendor relationships including service performance, coordination of related services, contract management and costs, and program reviews.

• Manages, coaches, and supervises the Compliance Specialists. Facilitates one-on-one meetings with direct reports to ensure clear open communication, build trust, and align goals with business strategy and performance expectations. Assesses knowledge and skills of team members. Assists staff in identifying strengths and/or gaps, and develops strategies to optimize strengths and address gaps using a strength-based approach. Models positive leadership behaviors for team members and creates a safe environment that inspires others. Recruits, hires, and onboards staff, as needed. Provides all appropriate tools and training to ensure optimal performance. Allocates professional development opportunities.

Required Competencies

• Degree and Credential Requirements - Bachelor's degree in Special Education.

• Academic Leadership - Has managed groups of professionals and worked with a variety of systems and people to achieve organizational goals. Exhibits leadership qualities of integrity, accountability, empathy, humility, resilience, vision, influence, and positivity.

• Program Management (Educational) - Is skilled at organizing, monitoring, and evaluating special education and multilingual learners programs, including writing policies and procedures, mapped to learning goals that comply with local, state, and federal regulations. Has documented success in interpreting information and making necessary adjustments to achieve program outcomes/metrics. Strong understanding of IDEA and Article 7 and experience in administering WIDA assessments. Possesses general knowledge of Title programs including Title I, II, and III. Adept at the utilization of the Indiana IEP portal.

• Instructional Coaching - Provides timely guidance and effective feedback to help teachers and staff strengthen specific knowledge/skill areas needed to accomplish a task, solve problems, or reach goals within their role.

• Federal, State, and Local Compliance - Demonstrates comprehension of federal, state, and local mandates governing the determination and delivery of special education services.

• Communication Skills - Articulates thoughts and expresses ideas effectively using oral, written, visual, and non-verbal communication skills, as well as listening skills to comprehend others' needs. Delivers information in person, in writing, and in a digital world.

• Organizational Aptitude - Plans and attends to details and pursues quality in accomplishing multiple tasks in an organized and timely fashion. Exhibits careful attention to detail and follow-through.

• Information Monitoring/Reporting/Design - Creates, collects, reviews, and maintains information to manage or improve the achievement of learning goals. Completes all assigned reports. Reads, interprets, and disseminates reports to be able to communicate information to others and translate data to other communications.

• Adaptability - Adjusts priorities quickly in response to frequently changing circumstances while maintaining a positive attitude. Continually assesses tasks and responds to those requiring extra attention. Foresees and seeks to avoid crisis management.

• Technical Knowledge - Has working knowledge of G Suite, MS Office, and the Internet, as well as student information systems.

• Industry Standards - Displays a working knowledge of the Indiana Academic Standards, Indiana Graduation Pathways, Next Level Programs of Study, Common Core State Standards, and 21st Century Skills and knowledge of disciplinary literacy.

Other Requirements

• Background Screening - All candidates must pass a pre-employment background check.

Benefits: Full-time employees may participate in a comprehensive benefits program that includes:

• Continuing education and leadership development as well as tuition reimbursement

• Comprehensive health plan

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays

• Sabbatical and parental leaves

• Life, dental and vision insurance

• Short- and long-term disability plans

• Nationally recognized preventive health and wellness program

• Section 125 pretax health spending account, dependent care spending account, and premiums

• Retirement plan with generous match or contribution into Teachers' Retirement Fund for eligible employees

• Eligible for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

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