Director of Special Education

Position Type:
Administration - District Level Special Education

Date Posted:
5/28/2024

Location:
Calvary, Round Lake, IL

Date Available:
07/01/2024
Under the direction of the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, the Director of Special Education will be responsible for the design, creation, implementation, evaluation, and monitoring of evidence-based district special education programs supporting students with special learning needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The following identifies the primary and essential functions of the assignment and is not intended to be an exhaustive listing of all duties.

Supervises and provides leadership to the District's special education, out-of-district placement, early childhood, and truancy programs and personnel in compliance with applicable state and federal regulations and District standards;

Designs and implements effective referral procedures and other appropriate child find activities to identify students with special needs;

Receives and processes referrals for special education evaluations in accordance with state regulations;

Oversees the complete and up-to-date maintenance of special education, early childhood, out-of-district placement, and truancy records in compliance with state and federal regulations;

Along with the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, serves as the liaison between the District and SEDOL;

Coordinates all activities related to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973;

Prepares and files appropriate grants and claims for special education;

Actively supports and promotes the Teaching and Learning philosophy of Round Lake District #116;

Adheres to Illinois school law, State Board of Education rules and regulations, Board of Education policies and regulations, school regulations and procedures, and contractual obligations;

Establish a comprehensive preK-12 special education program for students with unique learning needs and aligns to state and other relevant standards, the district's vision, and teaching and learning initiatives;

Coordinate the development, review, and revision of all special education programming and relative curriculum documents and materials, including standards documents, curriculum guides/learning progressions, course outlines, and instructional materials and resources;

Attends required IEP meetings, staff meetings, and serves, as appropriate, on staff committees;

Create a long-term strategic plan that operationalizes district goals to increase student efficacy - especially for traditionally underserved populations;

Involve building leaders and instructional staff in evaluating special education programs;

Implement a system for monitoring a comprehensive preK-12 special education program program to meet student' unique needs and align to all district and School Board initiatives;

Continues to grow professionally through collaboration with colleagues and professional growth experiences;

Compile and present regular reports reflecting current student progress and special education programming and other relevant data in accurate, usable formats for a variety of purposes and audiences;

Obtain and utilize student data to examine special education effectiveness through the establishment and management of a consistent, ongoing data collection process that includes data from related sources such as attendance, discipline, academis, etc.;

Monitor schools' relevant data in order to support student needs including ensuring special education practices and procedures;

Consult with building and district administrators on matters relating to academics, attendance, behavior, and incidents and look for trends in order to assist schools in managing these issues in a proactive manner;

Conduct school visits, walk-throughs, informal observations, and meetings to monitor the fidelity of the district special education program and solve problems as the arise;

Collaborate with SILT teams, vertical alignment teams, and building student services administrators to analyze school data and recommend improvements in the special education program;

Make recommendations based on data for the improvement of special education programs;

Ensure that classroom teacher, school related services staff, and school systems approaches are reflective of best practices regarding the provision of special education services;

Use a Multi-Tier Systems of Supports (MTSS) model to develop tiered interventions for behavior management and academic needs with an emphasis on prioritizing Tier 3;

Coach staff in developing referral, assessment, and progress monitoring systems to coordinate Tier 2 & and Tier 3 supports including support for administrators, teachers, and other school staff in identifying ways to meet students' needs;

Develop and distribute resources for staff regarding special education best practices and district programming;

Conduct on site school visits to assess climate and culture in order to provide recommendations and further support to administrators and teachers;

Collaborate with school teams and district administration (such as SILT and MTSS) and assist with strategic planning to ensure better student outcomes;

Oversee the use of ongoing assessments to maintain a record of student progress;

With the Director of Professional Learning, develop and conduct or arrange for the implementation of timely and relevant professional learning for staff and administrators including training related to special education best practices focusing on, the importance of and research behind these practices, and how to integrate best practices into the classroom to build capacity;

Develop and monitor a budget related to special education programs;

Develop the systems and structures to ensure the sustainability of special education programs;

Establish and maintain a deep understanding of special education theories and practice through personal professional development including conferences, seminars, workshops, and professional organizations including staying up-to-date on the latest research and best practices in the field;

Plan, coordinate, and execute parent/family events in support of special education programs and information including providing information and strategies for parents to assist them in supporting the unique needs of their children;

Facilitate and support schools in developing community and social service partnerships and wrap-around supports for behavioral needs including connecting schools to key community, county, and district resources necessary to support high risk students;

Facilitate parent, teacher, administrator, and community meetings to build knowledge around school climate and supports for students with special needs;

Develop and support services for students transitioning back into schools from out-of-district placement, residential placement, or other prolonged absences;

Maintain records of trainings and report on those conducted; and

Performs related duties as assigned.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The following identifies the knowledge, skills, and abilities that are essential for the Director of Special Education (this is not intended to be an exhaustive listing of all duties):

Ability to adapt and design curricula;

Experience using data to inform programmatic evaluation and decision-making;

Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively as a member of a team;

Experience working with diverse populations;

Knowledge of evidence-based special education curricula and practices;

Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; and

Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

Illinois Professional Educator License with the required endorsements as provided in the School Code;

Master's degree in Education with IL Administrative licensure;

Director of Special Education endorsement preferred;

Five years' experience as a classroom teacher or school related services provider;

Previous educational leadership experience; and

Valid Driver's License & Evidence of Insurability.

Note: The above statements are intended to describe the essential functions and related requirements of persons assigned to this job. They are not intended as an exhaustive list of job duties, responsibilities, and requirements.

Physical Requirements:

Individuals appointed to these assignments must have adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility and visual and auditory acuity and must maintain such physical fitness as to be able to perform the duties of the assignment.

Reports To:

This job assignment falls under the direction of the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services.

Starting Salary: Annual salary and benefits package will be determined on the basis of qualifications, experience, and background.

Position Classification: FLSA Designation:

Administrative Position Exempt

Prepared on: May 28, 2024