Description:

The Executive Director of Special Education Services provides and supports school-based, instructional, prevention and intervention services to reduce barriers to educational success, ensure positive conditions for learning, professional learning for special education staff to improve instruction, and help all students to achieve academically and be productive citizens. This individual is responsible for planning, administering, and directing the division's Special Education instructional programs and services. This position also ensures compliance with State and Federal regulations, budget development, and supervision of Special Education personnel. This individual shall coordinate with other departments in providing leadership, development, and management of specialized instruction and special education services in schools. Although this position reports to the Chief of Teaching, Learning, and Leadership, this position will require close working relationships with the other TLL Executive Directors as well as working closely with teachers, administrators, community providers, and families to ensure that all students are successful in school and the world of work.

Job Qualifications:

Education: Master's degree in Special Education Doctorate degree preferred.

Certificates & Licenses: Valid Virginia Department of Education Postgraduate Professional license with an endorsement in Administration and Supervision required, Special Education and PreK-12 required.

Experience Required: Minimum of five years of successful experience as a special education teacher, and three years of school-based administrative experience with special education programs.

Preferred : Seven or more year's successful experience as a special education teacher and five or more years of central or school-based administrative experience with special education programs.

Key Competencies:

• Exhibits a high degree of knowledge and experience developing and coordinating programs and services for Special Education students consistent with federal and state legislation, policies, and procedures.
• Exhibits a high degree of instructional knowledge and leadership.
• Demonstrates ability to effectively contribute to a team.
• Demonstrates excellent oral, written communication, and presentation skills.
• Shows ability to use effective public relations, interpersonal, organizational, leadership, and supervisory skills for the successful implementation of Special Education and related services.
• Demonstrates leadership through strong interpersonal skills and personal characteristics necessary for working effectively with teachers, administrators, special instructional services staff, parent, and the public.

Essential Functions:

Assessment and Progress Monitoring

• Supports effective teaching and improved student learning, including consultation with teachers and families, and ensuring that assessments are linked to instruction.
• Monitors the effectiveness of specialized instruction and related services through both a quantitative data-driven approach coupled with a holistic, qualitative approach.
• Displays a high degree of understanding and experience dealing with Response to Intervention, including interventions related to Tier 2 and 3 students.
• Prepares clear, understandable reports on the effectiveness and efficiency of Special Education programs with an appropriate level of detail depending on the target audience.
• Demonstrates skills in data gathering and analysis, project planning, and evaluation.

Program Management, Facilitation, and Collaboration

• Provides educational programs and activities that reduce barriers to teaching and learning and support student outcomes.
• Collaborates with curriculum and instruction staff in the development and implementation of an integrated program of Special Education curriculum, staff training, and instructional programs.
• Creates and implements structures for collaboration with district and school administrators, school personnel, and other stakeholders.
• Assists with recruiting and interviewing of Special Education personnel.
• Maintains accessibility by advising parents individually and in groups.
• Supports the Special Education Advisory Committee and acts as a staff consultant.
• Generates ongoing parent or guardian participation to involve parent or guardian in education of children with disabilities.
• Collaborates with other offices in the Teaching, Learning, and Leadership Department to contribute to the development of the core curriculum and pedagogy that provides support to students with disabilities in inclusive settings.
• Works collaboratively with Special Education staff to ensure that all ACPS training initiatives relative to specialized instruction are extended to staff.
• Works collaboratively with the Chief of Teaching, Learning and Leadership and Executive Directors of School Leadership to ensure that all ACPS administrative staff are trained in specialized instruction and policy/procedures initiatives.
• Coordinates early childhood Special Education program.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• Assists in the development and management of budgets and grants for areas of responsibility.
• Ensures productivity through equitable and appropriate resource acquisition and distribution.

Leadership

• Provides district leadership on implementation of effective instructional practices for students receiving Special Education services, as well as collaborates with other department administrators to implement a multi-tiered system of supports.
• Provides leadership for long-and short-range program planning for department-wide initiatives.
• Develops project plans, work breakdown structures, and schedules and manage projects to successful completion on time and within budget.
• Understands organizational and operating procedures, including the decision-making process, program planning, and improvement strategies.
• Monitors and researches current trends in Special Education.
• Demonstrates expertise and keeps current in areas of specialized instruction and special education regulatory law.

Regulations and Procedures

• Understands and provides guidance regarding the interpretation and implementation of federal and state legislation and guidelines governing special education and the IEP process.
• Develops and monitors professional development activities focusing on district, state and federal IDEA and Virginia Regulations for requirements related to serving students with disabilities.
• Maintains oversight for Individuals with Disabilities Education Acts (IDEA) and corresponding Virginia Regulations regarding compliance for populations served by Special Education.
• Oversees state reporting and compliance with State Performance Plan Indicators for programs for students with disabilities.
• Supervises the preparation and submission of all reports of students with disabilities require for state and federal government.
• Oversees and monitors the Medicaid billing and reimbursement program.
• Approves test and evaluation measurement selection for use in multidisciplinary diagnosis.
• Designs a continuum of services to provide a free, appropriate public education for each Alexandria child with a disability, ages two through 21 years of age.
• Implements policies and procedures for the purpose of ensuring that all children, ages 2 through 21, residing in Alexandria, who have a disability and need Special Education and related services are identified, located, evaluated, and placed in the most appropriate educational program.
• In collaboration with the Superintendent and Chief of Teaching, Learning and Leadership, provides recommendations to the School Board, changes in policies and procedures in identification, placement of children with disabilities in the most appropriate educational program when necessary to conform to changing state and federal regulations.
• Represents the Superintendent on the Alexandria Community Policy and Management Team (ACPMT) in regular meetings.

Specialized Instruction

• Assists administrators and teachers with the delivery of an effective instructional program for students with disabilities, including specialized instruction related to content and differentiation.
• Creates a continuum of support services for all students and provides instructional strategies to facilitate learning in all classrooms, including problem-solving instruction and interventions.
• Fosters collaboration between general and Special Education programs and staff, between the community and schools, and between schools and parents.
• Recommends instructional materials and equipment for curriculum implementation.
• Serves as a resource to principals and teachers for problem-solving and planning programs to improve instruction and to ensure full implementation of Special Education regulations.
• Designs and implements professional development programs and instructional strategies and curriculum implementation involving specialized instruction for students with disabilities.
• Directs and monitors the planning and delivery of professional development opportunities for Special Education teachers, working collaboratively with the Chief of Teaching, Learning and Leadership, Executive Director of School Leadership, and Executive Director of Instructional Support as well as Executive Director of English Learners Services, to select, implement, and monitor all specialized instructional programming and inclusive practices aligned with the ACPS Curriculum, Virginia Standards of Learning and Virginia Aligned Standards of Learning.
• Coordinates the availability of literacy testing and intervention instruction for students with disabilities to inform parents, orient teachers and ensure IEP coordination.
• Determines professional learning needs through surveys, reviews, and meetings to organize in-service programs and courses annually.
• Develops curriculum recommendations to ensure full educational opportunity for children with disabilities and prepares principals and other school personnel for implementation.
• Performs other related duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Clearances:

• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance
• Tuberculosis Skin Test.

Public Health Compliance

• Proof of COVID vaccination. Exemptions for religious/medical will be reviewed.
• Must follow safety and health protocols.

WP

Primary Location:
Central Office
Salary Range:
$116,558.40 - $174,362.40 / Administrator LAS-H
Shift Type:
Full-Time