Director Of Specialized Student Services

Duties

Position / Title: Director of Specialized Student Services Bargaining Unit: ADM Department/Location: Specialized Student Services Calendar Days: 260 Reports To: Assistant Superintendent of Equity & Innovation JD Revision Date: 01/24/2024 Supervises: Special Education Personnel

Function / Position Summary

The Director of Special Education plays a pivotal role in ensuring equitable access to education for all students within School District U-46. Responsible for overseeing the implementation of special education programs and services, this leadership position requires a blend of administrative expertise, educational knowledge, and a deep commitment to meeting the diverse needs of students and families.

Job Duties / Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and evaluate special education programs and services in accordance with federal and state regulations, district policies, and best practices. Ensure that programs are tailored to meet the individual needs of students and promote their academic, social, and emotional growth.

• Lead the development and implementation of innovative special education programs aimed at improving student achievement and eliminating barriers to learning.

• Communicate regularly with parents and others in the community to develop and maintain a positive school-community relationship; communicate with district administrators and staff to ensure students in need of specialized services receive an appropriate education; collaborate with outside agencies to develop contractual agreements to support program needs.

• Supervise and evaluate the Special Education Program including Related Services, Assistant Directors of Special Education, Administrative Assistant(s), Special Education Administrator(s), and the Health Services Supervisor.

• Procure, allocate, monitor, and evaluate funding for Special Education programs by complying with state and federal rules and regulations.

• Manage the special education budget, allocate resources effectively, and ensure fiscal responsibility. Coordinate the procurement of specialized materials, equipment, and assistive technologies to support student learning and accessibility.

• Oversee the evaluation and assessment process for determining eligibility for special education services. Ensure the use of appropriate assessment tools and methodologies to gather comprehensive data on students' strengths, needs, and progress.

• Plan and implement a program of formal and informal staff appraisals to assist staff in reaching their professional goals and to increase the quality of instruction.

• Stay abreast of changes in special education laws, regulations, and mandates to ensure compliance. Maintain accurate records, documentation, and reporting procedures to meet legal requirements and facilitate accountability.

• Foster positive relationships with stakeholders including parents, teachers, administrators, support staff, and community agencies. Collaborate with school personnel to support the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education settings and facilitate effective communication channels.

• Participate as needed in IEP/Special Education meetings to ensure that each student is provided and receives an appropriate Individualized Education Plan which best meets the identified student needs.

• Analyze student achievement data to develop instruction and assessment systems that will enhance student learning.

• Collaborate and coordinate with various departments and schools to continue the development and implementation of a culturally, linguistically, and developmentally responsive standards-based curriculum.

• Uphold continuous improvement strategies to provide systems of support to principals and other school level staff.

• Support the alignment of special education programs to meet district improvement goals and expectations.

• Conduct, in cooperation with building administrators, staff, parents, and community, ongoing evaluation of programs, services, and coordinate the long-term planning process to meet the needs of students.

• Develop policies and procedures to govern the staffing patterns and organization structure of the program; implement policies and procedures (projections) to monitor/manage and recommend staffing allocations; supervise the recruitment, development, and responsibilities of special education related services personnel.

• Coordinates and supervises Related Services and Health Services.

• Uphold continuous improvement strategies to provide systems of support to Related Services Personnel and Health Services Personnel.

• Supervise the recruitment, development, and responsibilities of Related Services and Health Services Personnel.

• Plan, structure, facilitate, monitor, and communicate a comprehensive professional development plan for various roles in Specialized Student Services.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Professional Educator License (PEL) with General Administrative or Principal endorsement.

• Professional Educator License (PEL) with a Director of Special Education endorsement preferred or acquire within a year.

• Performance Evaluation Qualifications (Teacher and Principal) required.

• At least five (5) years of teaching experience and experience as an Assistant Director required.

Experience / Knowledge

• Knowledge about theories of learning, literacy, curriculum, and assessment and identification procedures (psychological and educational).

• Effective communication skills, well-organized, strong time-management skills, problem solver, and reflective.

• Familiar with student information systems, IEPoint and electronic IEP systems.

Salary/Benefits

Salary Information

• The full salary range for this position is $107,712.00 - $161,568.00. It is our typical practice to hire in between the minimum and midpoint ($134,640.00).

• Benefit / Pension eligible.

Link to District/Third Party Online Application Web Page

https://www.applitrack.com/u46/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Administration+-+Certified&subcategory=Director

Email Address

humanresources@u-46.org

School District

https://www.u-46.org/

Position Website

https://www.applitrack.com/u46/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Administration+-+Certified&subcategory=Director

ILearn Link

ILearn

Report Card Link

District Report Card

Job Posting Date

4/10/2024

Start Date

N/A