Director-Special Education Accountability & Assessment

Spring Independent School District•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Special Education Director for Accountability & Assessment, reporting directly to the Executive Director of Special Education, leads and guides the development and management of special education accountability, data management, operations, compliance and provision of Related Services. The Director leads and guides the development and management of special education assessment. The Director works in collaboration with the Assistant Superintendents of Schools to support campuses in the identification and assessment process for students with disabilities that campuses receive the support needed to meet the individual needs of students. The Director leads and coordinates Special Education assessment personnel including Licensed Specialists in School Psychology (LSSPs), Educational Diagnosticians and Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs). The Director works in collaboration with School Leadership Office and Student Support Services to support campuses in the development of individualized education programming and staff needs to promote provision of support services for students with disabilities that are designed to meet the individual needs of students. The Director also leads and coordinates the development of Requests for Proposals based on Special Education purchase needs in collaboration with Procurement, Technology and other district departments. All employees of Spring ISD are expected to act with integrity, support organizational goals, communicate in a clear and respectful manner, championing the needs of our students and drive continuous improvement.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Special Education or other related field
Leadership experience at the campus or district level in a special education role
History of success with the development and implementation of district-wide action
Strong ability to interpret policy, procedures and data
Strong understanding of special education supports and services
Strong understanding of the relationship between referral, assessment process and classroom instruction
Quality skills in the area of the interpretation of assessment data
Quality skills in the area of the interpretation of program implementation data
Analyze student assessment, performance, and discipline data to drive the decision- making process for students with disabilities
Successfully manage budget and personnel
Effectively coordinate special services across district functions
Plans for the efficient use and evaluation of department clerical personnel
Strong and effective leadership skills
Broad knowledge and understanding of federal, state, local laws and regulations;including discipline, assessment and budgeting
Expertise in the area of learning, interventions and behavior management
Possess exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
Skillful at identifying and responding effectively to areas of need with assigned area
Ability to develop and oversee comprehensive action plans aligned to the district’s Five Year Strategic Plan

Nice To Haves

Principal/ Administrator certification
Experience with compiling, interpreting and organizing data for use in decision making and staff development
Educational Diagnostician/LSSP/SLP or Counseling certification
Three years’ experience as a special education teacher and/or in a campus special education role

Responsibilities

Leads and coordinates Special Education activities to ensure the implementation of state and federal legislation related to assessment, special education and ensures compliance with these regulations
Leads and coordinates activities of the Assessment Coordinator to ensure Full and Individual Evaluations and re-evaluations are completed in a timely fashion, meet state standards and provide instructional staff with needed information to design Individual Educational Plans.
Leads and coordinates activities of the Coordinators who oversee SHARS/Related Services, Compliance, Accounting, Homebound Hospital Services, residential placement applications, oversees services provided to students in placements outside of the district, and other associated support staff
Collaborates with internal and external personnel (e.g. other administrators, teachers, auditors, public agencies, community members, etc.) for the purpose of implementing and/or maintaining assigned services and programs
Compiles data from a wide variety of sources for the purpose of analyzing issues, ensuring compliance with organization policies and procedures, and/or monitoring program components
Coordinates program components, support needs and materials for the purpose of delivering services which serve to ensure compliance with district policies and procedures as well as state and federal guidelines
Interprets the guidelines and directives concerning regulatory agencies, including federal and state legislation, regulations, Board Policy, OSEP, OCR and other regulatory agencies to develop and maintain operational guidelines
Leads, directs and monitors assigned district level operations; the maintenance of services and the implementation of new programs and/or processes for the purpose of providing services to eligible students
Researches a variety of topics required to manage assigned programs and services for the purpose of developing new services/programs, ensuring compliance with federal and state legislation, regulations, Board Policy, OSEP, OCR and other regulatory agencies
Collaborates with the Special Education Leadership team in the development of training programs designed to meet regulatory requirements for instructional staff, assessment personnel, related services and support staff
Collaborates with Special Education Department and district leaders in developing and monitoring budgets for special education funds
Collaborates with Technology Department to ensure that requested products and services are compatible with district infrastructure
Lead, direct and monitor maintenance of records of student accounting and eligibility
Serves as a liaison between district, regional, state and federal special education departments
Works collaboratively with the Executive Director of Special Services in matters related to the department
Performs all other duties as assigned
Evaluates recommendations of others, deciding on course of action in ambiguous situations, and oversees the deployment of innovative solutions.
Collaborates with department and district leadership to develop strategies and broad departmental objectives; established methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for projects, program and people in the achievement of strategic objectives