Assistant Director of Special Education Evaluation & Compliance

ROLE & PURPOSE

• The primary role of the Assistant Director of Special Education Evaluation and Compliance is to work with the director, other assistant directors, coordinators, and specialists within Special Education to build processes and systems that contribute to the effective and efficient operation of the Special Education Department including compliance with TEA Guidelines and processes, student evaluations, and other required tasks and operations.
• The Assistant Director of Special Education Evaluation and Compliance will actively support our department’s mission and vision of being a trusted partner by cultivating strong relationships and helping implement department processes that produce consistency and excellence in our products across areas of programming and services.
• The Assistant Director of Special Education Evaluation and Compliance will demonstrate leadership and expertise in the strategic planning, design, delivery, progress monitoring, and evaluation, and revision of systems and supports for the department and with campuses.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in Special Education or a related field
• Mid-management or Principal Certification from accredited institution
• Educational Diagnostician Certification, preferred

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of three years of successful classroom teaching experience
• Minimum of three years of successful administrative experience or directly related experience
• Experience in leadership of special education teams
• Leadership and/or administrative experience leading large-scale district improvement initiatives
• Minimum three years of Special Education evaluation experience

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

• Supervises all special education evaluation staff coordinators and school psychologists
• Oversees all district special education evaluation staff including speech pathologists, diagnosticians, and school psychologists
• Oversees district Child Find processes and procedures
• Oversees district SHARS operations and procedures
• Ensures the fidelity of testing as required by state and federal regulations including STAAR, STAAR Alt 2, and other district assessments for special education students
• Oversees the provision of transportation services as needed in partnership with the AISD Transportation Department
• Oversees and monitors the AISD Preschool Testing Center and collaboration with ECI
• Conducts regular IEP audits to ensure compliance with federal and state law, as well as AISD special education policies and procedures.

I. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Manages requests for independent evaluations.
• Plans, trains, implements and monitors a comprehensive system for auditing special education records to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
• Assist with troubleshooting and investigating complaints from parents and staff and developing and implementing corrective action plans related to evaluations.
• Works collaboratively with parent advocates.
• Attends IEP meetings as needed.
• Communicates new developments in special education law to department and campus staff.
• Coordinates functions related to responding to complaints, requests for Resolution, Mediation or Due Process Hearings related to evaluations.
• Consults with the Director of Special Education and the District’s legal council.

II. SCHOOL/ORGANIZATIONAL CLIMATE

• Develops systems of communication that establish consistent, efficient and collaborative processes for the provision of guidelines, services, and support to campus and District staff.
• Exemplifies effective problem-solving methods that are customer-service oriented.

III. SCHOOL/ORGANIZATIONAL IMPROVEMENT

• Provides training to District administrators and other staff regarding compliance issues.
• Works with Area and Program Coordinators to ensure assigned campuses maintain 100% compliance with federal and state special education law, provides supports with compliance training, and troubleshooting as needed.
• Recommends policies, guidelines, and practices to address challenges impeding the initiation, implementation, or institutionalization of system-wide improvements.

IV. ADMINISTRATION & FISCAL/FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

• Coordinates acquisition of District resources, including testing materials and other resources that support the implementation of Special Education evaluations.
• Prioritizes, monitors, and coordinates local, federal, or grant budgets.
• Develops administrative procedures and regulations to manage and implement policies established by federal and state law, SBOE rule, and local board policy in the area of Special Education.

V. SCHOOL/COMMUNITY RELATIONS

• Articulates the District’s mission, instructional philosophy, and curriculum implementation strategies to the community, and solicits support and input in realizing the District mission.
• Participates as an effective team member who contributes to District, department, and content goals.

VI. PROFESSIONAL GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

• Seeks, accepts, and responds to coaching and feedback from supervisor, staff, and peers.
• Maintains a network of professional colleagues, membership in professional associations, attendance at relevant conferences, and exposure to professional literature in the area of curriculum, instruction, and assessments.
• Establishes ongoing goals for professional learning to remain current in innovative and effective practices.

VII. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads recruitment, selection, and professional learning of all evaluation staff, making sound recommendations relative to staff placement and assignment in collaboration with coordinators.
• Supports the evaluation of all evaluation coordinators to ensure growth and effectiveness.
• Plans, trains, implements and monitors a comprehensive system for auditing special education records to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
• Demonstrates skill in coaching and conflict resolution.
• Provides for two-way communication and meets regularly with coordinators and specialists.
• Promotes performance improvement among administrative and professional staff, including identifying individual strengths and areas for improvement.

VIII. OTHER DUTIES

• Performs other duties as may be assigned by the Director of Special Education
• Maintains confidentiality of information.
• Travels district-wide and occasional out of-district; prolonged and irregular hours

IX. WORKING CONDITIONS

MENTAL DEMANDS / PHYSICAL DEMANDS / ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment.
• Posture: Moderate standing; occasional kneeling, squatting, bending, and stooping
• Motion: Moderate walking
• Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds)
• Environment: Work inside and outside (exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather); exposure to noise
• Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress, with frequent interruptions.

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