Coordinator of Out-of-District Special Education

Framingham Public Schools•Framingham, MA

17h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Coordinator of Out-of-District Special Education provides administrative oversight and clinical leadership for students placed in out-of-district private school settings. Under the direction of the Director of Special Education, this role serves as the primary liaison between the district, families, and private educational institutions. The Coordinator is responsible for representing Framingham Public Schools at all special education TEAM meetings and for ensuring that every student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) is implemented with fidelity and remains in strict compliance with state and federal regulations. By monitoring program effectiveness and fostering collaborative relationships with external agencies, the Coordinator ensures that students in specialized placements receive equitable access to high-quality instruction. This commitment aligns with the district's mission to ensure "all children will learn" and to close the opportunity gap within our diverse school community.

Requirements

Valid Massachusetts Teaching License in: Special Education Administrator; or Moderate Disabilities (All Levels) and Supervisor/Director
Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Special Education Administration, Educational Leadership, or a related field of study.
A minimum of five (5) years of successful experience in public education, including at least three (3) years in a leadership capacity overseeing complex special education systems, out-of-district placement protocols, and district-wide clinical supports.
Apply knowledge of current research and theory in the educational field.
Communicate clearly and concisely in both oral and written forms.
Effectively present information and respond to questions from staff, parents, and the general public.
Read, analyze, and interpret professional periodicals, journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
Write reports and correspondence as needed.
Provide advice and expertise to general education teachers and the school community to support effective learning experiences.
Use reasoning ability to evaluate information and recommend appropriate courses of action.
Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Use professional literature and evidence-based research to make practice decisions.
Utilize strong problem-solving and data-collection skills to inform decisions for student success.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, caregivers, staff, and the community.
Work with individuals and families of diverse backgrounds in an equitable, inclusive, and culturally proficient manner.
Collaborate with colleagues and district leaders through shared planning to analyze student performance and plan interventions.
Demonstrate strong teaching, coaching, and leadership skills in a team setting.
Work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage several projects simultaneously.
Maintain appropriate confidential records.
React professionally and objectively to unpredictable situations, such as behavioral issues or environmental changes.
Operate and acquire skills in computer software, including Google Workspace.
Plan, coordinate, and participate in ongoing professional and staff development.
Maintain regular, punctual attendance to ensure consistent department operations.
Perform duties with awareness of district requirements, state and federal laws, and Framingham Public Schools policies.
Knowledge of specialized content areas and related laws and procedures.
Plan and implement lessons based on district objectives and student needs.
Use instructional technology appropriately to facilitate student learning.
Maintain a proactive, reflective, and solution-focused approach to supporting the school.
Demonstrate strong organizational skills to balance the demands of a multi-tasking position.
Must move throughout the school building and grounds frequently; navigate quickly across even or uneven surfaces to respond to student needs or emergencies.
Often remains in a stationary position for administrative tasks, but must frequently sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl to interact with early childhood students.
Frequent use of hands/arms to operate office productivity machinery and handle instructional tools; requires sufficient hand strength for student assistance.
Ability to lift at least 20 lbs (e.g., books, supplies, or medical/adaptive equipment).
Must see and hear on a continuous basis to ensure student safety in a dynamic environment.
Must communicate professionally in person, via email, and by telephone with staff, parents, and community partners.
Ability to read and input digital and printed data, including complex IEP/evaluative reports, with or without visual aids.
Works in a school setting with moderate to high noise levels; requires the ability to maintain focus amidst frequent interruptions and multiple demands.
Directly responsible for the safety and well-being of students; includes potential exposure to bodily fluids or pathogens.
May be required to have physical interaction with students who have difficulty controlling behavior; must be prepared for the possibility of unintentional injury and able to react professionally during behavioral crises.
Must maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive student and personnel records in accordance with Framingham Public Schools policies and FERPA/603 CMR 28.00.
This role is primarily "on the road," requiring the ability to drive frequently to varied out-of-district locations.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and/or Portuguese is encouraged.

Responsibilities

Serves as the primary administrative representative for Framingham Public Schools at all Out-of-District private school TEAM meetings, advocating for student needs and district interests.
Coordinates and monitors complex out-of-district cases, ensuring all services are delivered in accordance with regulatory timelines.
Works strategically with outside state agencies (e.g., DCF, DMH, DDS) in collaboration with school teams to ensure wrap-around support for students.
Evaluates and monitors the effectiveness of program placements to ensure they meet the unique educational and social-emotional needs of assigned students.
Ensures that specialized programs, services, and instructional materials at out-of-district sites are aligned with standard curriculum goals where appropriate.
Collaborates with district Special Education staff to plan for student transitions between placements or back to the public school environment.
Regularly visits out-of-district settings to monitor student progress and ensure the integrity of the educational program.
Provides expert consultation to families and private school staff regarding district expectations and student performance data.
Ensures that all special education guidelines, state/federal regulations (IDEA), and district policies are strictly followed in external placements.
Oversees the accurate completion of all paperwork associated with the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and placement documentation.
Maintains current and accurate department and student records, ensuring all confidential information is handled ethically and in accordance with FERPA.
Monitors and reports on special education compliance data as requested by the Director of Special Education.
Prepares state-mandated reports and other administrative documentation required to facilitate out-of-district programming.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with parents/guardians, out-of-district staff, peers, and district administrators.
Participates in coordination and planning meetings with Special Education staff across diverse school settings to ensure continuity of service.
Utilizes excellent interpersonal and communication skills to resolve conflicts and facilitate complex TEAM meetings.
Monitors the delivery of services as outlined in placement contracts and IEPs to ensure fiscal and educational accountability.
Other reasonable duties as assigned by the Director of Special Education.