Manager, OSD Instructional Support

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) supports networks, schools, and families with all issues related to special education including instruction, interventions, policies, and procedures. OSD provides the tools and resources to ensure that all students with disabilities receive a high-quality public education that prepares students for success.

Job Summary:

Reporting directly to the Director of Instructional Quality, the Manager of OSD Instructional Support will work to lead, manage, and support professional development for Special Education Administrators. The Manager of OSD Instructional Support will also support setting a vision and direction, project plan, and execution of the management of key instructional priorities.

Additionally, the Manager will support the Instructional Quality team to improve the instructional support and outcomes in schools for students with disabilities. The Manager will ensure consistent implementation of Instructional Models and guide the District's vision for special education. This will be accomplished through the supervision of the Special Education Administrators (SEAs) located in the Networks who will work directly with the schools. The Manager will be a critical part of the leadership team as it implements the new strategic plan and transforms the Department into a best-practices organization.

The Manager of OSD Instructional Support will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Manage, develop, and collaborate with SEAs to ensure that quality professional development is developed and successfully implemented to support school-level teams and Special Education staff.
• Enhance instructional expertise across the District through professional development and foster a high-performing, collaborative team of subject matter experts..
• Lead the SEA team to analyze metrics and achievement of desired outcomes, and devise methods of improved instruction based on analysis and the needs of individual schools and networks.
• Provide a framework, including quality indicators, that will support rigorous instruction for inclusion, co-teaching, and cluster programs.
• Observe instructional practices extensively in the field and deliver on-site support to SEAs and special education staff within schools.
• Coordinate with staff within the Department and the District to provide tools, services and strategies for differentiated school-level support for principals, instructional leadership teams and special education staff that drive school improvement.
• Develop consistent standards of interventions for the Citywide Assessment Team to provide research-based interventions consistent with MTSS framework.
• Coordinate best practices and standards of instruction for dually identified students (English Learners and Special Education).
• Support communication systems developed within the Department that ensure teams have a clear message regarding the best practice of instructional strategies for Special Education.
• Other duties and workstreams as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Manager of OSD Instructional Support must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Education or related field of study from an accredited college or university, required
• Master's degree in special education or relevant field, preferred
• Professional Education License (PEL) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education with appropriate Special Education endorsement (LBSI or LBSII, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Blind/Visually Impaired, Early Childhood Special Education) is required. (Candidates with a valid out-of-state, reciprocal license will be considered but must obtain ISBE licensure within 6 months of hire.)
• General Administrative Certificate/PEL endorsement (Type 75 or out-of-state equivalent), preferred

Experience Required:

• Minimum of five (5) years of professional classroom teaching, case management, and/or clinician experience supporting special education required
• Minimum of two (2) years of leadership experience required; leadership experience within an educational setting preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Expertise in best-practice special education instruction (consistent with state certification requirements)
• Demonstrated leadership in implementing successful instructional strategies in special education
• Expertise in professional development, as well as leadership development, building an effective team, coaching, and promoting professional growth of team members
• Ability to sets high standards and achieve measurable outcomes of success
• Strong communication skills
• Understands how to use data to inform daily decisions to improve instructional practice and student outcomes
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous improvement in the organization, among team members, and for students.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.
• Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 - Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. "Up-to-date" on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.