Special Education Specialist

Description

***YOU MUST HAVE YOUR SPECIAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATION*****

This position will work closely with our Wayne, Oakland, Saginaw, and Genesee community schools.

The Special Education Coordinator is an individual who works in compliance with additional oversight

duties. In addition to providing guidance and coordinating the provisions of special education, the

special education coordinator manages all aspects of the school’s SPED and 504 programs. The Special

Education Coordinator will serve multiple schools. The Special Education Coordinator should have a

robust understanding of the special education and Section 504 processes, and state and federal

compliance requirements under IDEA and ADA Section 504. The Special Education Coordinator assists

with performing child find activities, evaluations, and develops IEPs and 504 Accommodation plans to

maintain program compliance. The Special Education Coordinator is able to support the school

administration with specialized knowledge about specialized instruction and SPED/Section 504

requirements.

The Special Education Coordinator is knowledgeable about the needs of students with disabilities and

ensures that specialized instruction is aligned with IEPs or Section 504 Plans, is data-driven and is

provided with fidelity. The Special Education Coordinator assists with the designing of and provides

specialized instruction and oversees the scheduling of Special Education Teachers and Paraeducators to

ensure the delivery of high quality specialized instruction and supports to students with disabilities. The

highly effective Special Education Coordinator works collaboratively with the campus Instructional

Coach/Designee to ensure quality and consistency in the instruction of students with disabilities by

providing direct and indirect instructional support to all teachers. The Special Education Coordinator

also supports campus teachers by providing teachers support to improve instruction and increase

academic outcomes for students with disabilities through professional development and 1-1

collaboration.

The Special Education Coordinator position follows a 12-month calendar.

Requirements

Required Education and Qualifications:

• Current Special Education Certification
• Strong knowledge of the special education process and state and federal compliance requirements
• Strong knowledge of Section 504 of the ADA and federal compliance requirements
• Strong foundational knowledge in special education and the impact of disabilities on student learning
• Strong knowledge of specialized instruction, differentiated instruction, and inclusion support
• Strong knowledge of data analysis and using data to drive instruction

Desired Qualifications:

• 3 or more years of special education teaching experience
• Experience developing and planning specialized instruction based on student IEPs
• Experience with case management and coordination
• The ability to write IEPs and MET reports that meet state and federal compliance requirements
• The ability to write ADA Section 504 Accommodation plans in compliance with federal regulations
• Experience overseeing/collaborating with paraeducators, special education teachers, and other service providers
• Experience collaborating with other teachers to support inclusion and access to grade level standards for students with disabilities

Essential Skills:

• A high level of organization and the ability to perform multiple tasks.
• The ability to interact with students, parents, and teachers in a confident and professional manner.
• Familiarity with designing and implementing specialized instruction
• Writing SPED and 504 documents that conform to federal, state and district requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to read, analyze, and interpret information in a variety of formats.
• Display a high level of professionalism in conduct, appearance, and communication.
• Support the value of an education for all students.
• Support the mission and vision of the school.
• Essential Job Duties/Functions:
• Review special education needs of new and continuing students and coordinate services.
• Create and maintain a schedule for special education and related services for students.
• Provide special education services directly to students through direct instruction, co-teaching, inclusion support, or collaboration with special education teachers and/or direction of paraeducators.
• Create and maintain a record of special education and related services provided.
• Maintain all special education and Section 504 documents for the assigned school with 100% compliance, including Initial Referrals, MET reports, IEPs, and Section 504 plans.
• Assist in the identification of exceptional students within the school (child find).
• Collaborate with Instructional Coach and teachers to ensure quality instruction for students with disabilities that is aligned to state standards and school curriculum.
• Support teachers in the implementation of appropriate instructional strategies, modifications, and accommodations for students.
• Provide training to school staff to ensure high-quality instruction for students with disabilities.
• Facilitate the provision of services/assessments/evaluations by contracted service providers.
• Maintain and provide teachers and administration a current special education census regularly.
• Perform educational and behavioral assessments of students including observations, records review, communication with teachers, and formal academic or behavioral evaluations.
• Collect and analyze academic and other student data for instructional decision-making.
• Serve as the point of contact for parents of students with disabilities.
• Facilitate the special education and Section 504 evaluation/reevaluation process.
• Create a master schedule for annual special education and section 504 meetings.
• Coordinate and lead all special education-related parent and team meetings
• Ensure confidentiality of student records in accordance with FERPA and IDEA.
• Support school staff with student scheduling, as assigned.
• Participate in state monitoring activities and corrective action, when applicable.
• Collaborate with the School Leader and Curriculum Coach to compile and analyze data for students with disabilities.
• Respond to parent or staff concerns promptly.
• Act as a resource to all staff regarding the school’s special education and 504 program policies/procedures.
• Support administration in Child Find activities.
• Collaborate with administration on all matters of discipline pertaining to students with disabilities.
• Effectively utilize technology and systems appropriate to the position.
• Attends site and district provided professional development .
• Comply with State Law, School and District policies and procedures.
• Ability to travel to schools.
• Perform other duties and assume additional responsibilities as may be assigned by the Director of Exceptional Student Services and/or the School Leader.