Assistant Director of Special Education-Compliance & Legal 2026-2027

Tempe School District No.3•Tempe, AZ

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Special Education – Compliance & Legal is responsible for ensuring that the district's special education programs meet all federal, state, and local regulatory requirements. This position leads efforts to improve IEP compliance, strengthen procedural safeguards, and ensure timely and accurate documentation across all schools. The role supports schools and staff in maintaining legal integrity in special education services, while building systems of accountability, communication, and trust with families.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Special Education or related field
Valid Arizona Administrative Certificate or ability to obtain
At least five years of experience in special education with knowledge of IDEA regulations
Demonstrated success supporting schools with IEP documentation, audits, or due process procedures

Responsibilities

Ensure adherence to IDEA, Section 504, and ADE regulations regarding timelines, IEP development, and procedural safeguards.
Develop and maintain systems for tracking IEP meetings, evaluations, prior written notices (PWNs), and parent communication.
Review IEP documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with procedural and substantive requirements.
Oversee creation and delivery of corrective action plans resulting from audit findings, due process complaints, or ADE monitoring.
Serve as the liaison to legal counsel and ADE regarding compliance inquiries, complaints, and investigations.
Monitor caseloads and ensure appropriate timelines for evaluations, annual reviews, re-evaluations, and eligibility determinations.
Support school teams in maintaining accurate and compliant records in the IEP management system.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives related to documentation quality and legal defensibility of IEPs.
Provide coaching and real-time support to case managers, related service providers, and evaluation teams on documentation and compliance expectations.
Facilitate targeted professional development on legal trends, due process, and procedural safeguards.
Collaborate with site leaders to build systems of shared accountability for compliance across school teams.
Analyze compliance data and timelines (e.g., MET due dates, IEP implementation fidelity) and report progress to district leadership.
Use findings from internal audits and external reviews to implement corrective action and refine systems.
Partner with the Assistant Director of Special Education – Behavior and the Director to align monitoring, student outcomes, and family engagement.