Job Title: Special Populations Coordinator Reports to: Director of Special Education Dept. /School: Special Education
Exemption Status: Exempt Date Revised: November 2024 Contract: 216 Days
Primary Purpose:
To provide leadership for the implementation of Special Education Programs which advance achievement for students receiving special education services. To improve educational outcomes for all students by providing support to students, parents, teachers, counselors and administrators in the identification, evaluation, and development of an individualized support plan designed to support students who need interventions. Support campuses to ensure these students are provided with Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) through individualized education programs. Collaborate with parents, teachers, principals, and support personnel regarding instructional issues in special education, district-wide initiatives and program requirements. Monitor compliance with all state, federal, and local requirements under the supervision of the district special education director.
Qualifications:
Education/Certification: - Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree in relevant educational field preferred
- Valid Texas Special Education Certification/Endorsement preferred
Experience: - Five years of successful teaching experience in a special education setting preferred
- Previous leadership experience at the campus and/or district level preferred
Special Knowledge/Skills: - Extensive knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to Special Education
- Expertise in Section 504, MTSS, and ARD development and compliance
- Experience in project design, implementation, and monitoring of special education programs
- Experience planning, developing and implementing professional development programs
- Experience with TEKS-based instruction and assessment programs
- Experience working with district departments to integrate system-wide activities to meet targets
- Proficiency with technology including multi-media technology
- Evidence of the ability to consistently make good decisions through a combination of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment with a high level of business acumen and problem-solving skills
- Strong project and time management skills; ability to effectively backward plan, juggle multiple priorities with great attention to, detail, and deliver consistent and timely results
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and enthusiastic communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills
- Ability to lead, influence, and hold others accountable to high standards of organizational excellence
- Strong learning orientation and desire to work in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
- Successful criminal background check results required
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Instructional and Program Management: - Coordinate and oversee programs and services for all special populations of students to meet student needs, including Special Education, Section 504, Dyslexia, and MTSS.
- Provide leadership and coordination related to the multi-tiered system of support for campus personnel, student success team, ARD and LPAC committees, and the other academic teams as required to ensure the appropriate placement and development of individual education plans for students according to required policies and procedures.
- Work with the Instructional Leadership Team and other designated staff to ensure ARD, 504, and MTSS meetings follow Federal, State, and local requirements.
- Oversee the campus-initiated referral process; collaborate with the district assessment team regarding student assessments and evaluations; make recommendations regarding placement and program management for individual students.
- Respond to special program inquiries from parents and staff.
- Work cooperatively with staff to modify curricula as needed to ensure that students receiving special education services are provided with differentiation and scaffolded instructional strategies and educational supports as required.
- Provide leadership on the development of the master schedule, daily school activities, teacher assignments, special population teacher schedules, tutoring, and extracurricular activity schedules, and campus-based tutoring sessions, as a part of the instructional leadership team.
Student Performance and Management: - Work collaboratively with leadership and campus staff to systematically use a variety of data, including disaggregated data on subgroups of students to monitor student academic performance, review of the efficacy of programs, and continuously monitor progress toward meeting annual goals.
- Consult with parents, administrators, counselors, teachers, community agencies, and other relevant individuals regarding SPED, Section 504, Dyslexia, MTSS, and student performance and progress.
- Oversee all progress monitoring and reporting for all special population students.
- Provide insights on documented trends and hurdles to meet stated annual goals, and collaborate with administration, the instructional leadership team, educators, and staff to identify possible solutions.
Professional Development: - Develop, conduct, or arrange for staff development sessions for school personnel in the identification and understanding of special populations of students and students with disabilities.
- Develop and conduct or arrange for staff development sessions, including sessions on delivery of instruction, development of standards-based individual educational plans, enriched learning in classroom settings, special education processes, and statewide assessment.
- Assist classroom teachers with the implementation of all special population plans.
- Collaborate with the Instructional Leadership Team on the audit of unit and lesson plans, accelerated learning plans, reteach plans, IEPs, 504s, and student performance data on a weekly basis to inform coaching and support.
- Provide leadership to the instruction staff on the improvement of teaching and learning through professional
learning, embedded professional development, daily observations, growth-oriented coaching and feedback, and evaluations.
Compliance and Risk Management: - Provide leadership, coaching, and growth-oriented support to Special Education.
- Assist leadership with performance evaluations for special populations staff.
- Coordinate with the Instructional Leadership Team concerning compliance and performance of all special programs, including SPED, Section 504, and MTSS.
- Comply with policies established by federal, state, TEA, and local laws and policies.
- Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required.
Policy, Reports and Law: - Works to ensure that schools follow federal, state and local board policy requirements outlined in statute, education code, administrative code and policy for students in special education.
- Prepares federal/state/local reports accurately and timely and makes local recommendations relative to the Special Education programs as requested.
- Assists with the supervision of the writing/distribution of the Special Education program manuals and forms as requested.
Communications and Community Relations: - Establish and maintain a professional relationship and open communication with principals, teachers, staff, parents and community members.
- Ensure that ongoing, high-level communication about teaching and learning exists between the staff, families, and the community.
- Consult parents concerning the educational needs of students and interpretation of assessment data.
- Consult parents, teachers, administrators, and other relevant individuals to enhance their work with students.
- Establish and maintain a cooperative working relationship with students and families based on trust, understanding, and respect.
Supervisory Responsibilities: - Supervise the special education process/programs and directs staff in matters of compliance and specialized instruction and other responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Special Populations.
Physical/Mental Demands and Environnemental Factors : - Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals
- Posture: Occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
- Motion: Repetitive hand motions, frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching
- Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds)
- Environment: May work extended or irregular hours
- Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress
