638BB - SPECIAL EDUCATION COORDINATOR OF SECONDARY EDUCATION


Reports To: Chief Academic Officer 

Primary Purpose:
Supervise and support the development and implementation of best practices in special education programs for students at the middle school and high school levels. Provide team leadership through training and activity monitoring to ensure student success. Ensure effective programming for students by observing, analyzing data and providing recommendations to the campus principal and Chief Academic Officer for improving intervention strategies and services.

Qualifications:

  1. Master's Degree or higher
  2. Texas Mid-management, Supervisor, or Principal certificate
  3. Valid Texas Teaching Certificate in Special Education with at least 5 years experience
  4. Certified Professional Development and Appraisal System (PDAS) appraiser
  5. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board of Trustees may find appropriate

Preferred Qualifications:
    
1.   Certified Behavior Strategist
    2. 
  Strong knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis; Behavioral Interventions; Autism; Severe and Multiple Disabilities Cultural Diversity
    3.    3 years experience as an educational diagnostician or LSSP and;
    4.   Bilingual Spanish

Special Knowledge/Skills:
    1.   Demonstrated ability to work effectively with administrators, teachers, staff, parents, students, and community
    2.   Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both in written form and orally
    3.   Knowledge of federal and state laws pertaining to the education of students with disabilities
    4.   Demonstrated ability to lead, advise, and implement effective programs for individuals with disabilities.


TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  Administrative/Professional Pay Grade 5, 226 days Wage/hour Status: Exempt


MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES
 

  1.  

Supervises secondary special education itinerate staff.

  1.  

Provides guidance and direction to secondary special education staff.

  1.  

Provides campus principals with direction relative to structuring special education programming that meets the needs of students and complies with federal and state laws and board policy.

  1.  

Coordinates Transition from TISD to facilities of higher learning or into the community, including training campus and district administrators and staff.

  1.  

Ensures accurate data collection and monitoring of State Performance Plan Indicators with special attention focused on 4 A-B (Suspension/Expulsion); 5 A-C (Educational Environment Ages 6-21); 13 (Secondary Transition); and 14 (Post-School Outcomes)

  1.  

Ensures that rules and procedures for the discipline of students with disabilities are effective and conform to federal and state laws and are applied in a uniform and consistent manner.

  1.  

Defines and initiates programs appropriate to the individual educational needs of students with disabilities.

  1.  

Identifies, analyzes, and applies research and data to promote improved instructional services and outcomes for students requiring unique instructional services.

  1.  

Monitors instructional and managerial processes to ensure that program activities are related to program outcomes; revises such activities as appropriate.

  1.  

Works with campus administrators and staff in developing, maintaining, revising, and selecting instructional materials and practices based on systematic review and analysis of 6-12 unique instructional needs.

  1.  

Communicates the district curriculum, instructional policies, high expectations, accomplishments, goals, and new directions to parents and the community and solicits their input on these instructional issues.

  1.  

Demonstrates appropriate use of student achievement data in interpreting, reporting, and acting on results.

  1.  

Ensures that interventions and support services for students with disabilities are effective in achieving their objectives.

  1.  

Ensures that all students are educated in the least restrictive settings and with general education peers to the maximum extent possible.

  1.  

Builds a common vision with staff for improvement of the Special Education Department.  Direct planning activities and put programs in place with staff to ensure attainment of the department’s mission.

  1.  

Uses collaborative decision-making and problem solving techniques when appropriate.

  1.  

Uses the Professional Development Appraisal System (PDAS) and the presently accepted district appraisal systems appropriately with teachers, service providers and staff.

  1.  

Meets regularly with assigned staff to discuss performance; jointly develops improvement objectives to identify professional growth opportunities.

  1.  

Regularly provides technical assistance to campus administrators and both general and special education staff on all aspects of special education.

  1.  

Provides effective in-service training and activities through the use of program evaluations, data analysis and needs assessment results.

  1.  

Identifies consultants, specialists, and other resources to assist principals, teachers and staff in obtaining objectives.

  1.  

Provides assistance to teachers through classroom observations in effective teaching strategies.

  1.  

Performs duties in a professional, ethical, and responsible manner as defined in the TEA Code of Ethics for Educators.

  1.  

Develops, maintains, and uses information systems required for compliance with state and federal laws, and to facilitate the provision of special education services.

  1.  

Submits monthly campus/program status reports to district administrators, the Coordinator of Special Education Accountability, and the Chief Academic Officer upon request.

  1.  

Complies with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education, and the local Board of Trustees in pursuing the mission of the department and district.

  1.  

Keeps informed about, and interprets new state and federal statutes, regulations, and case law concerning special education.

  1.  

Works with campus administration to ensure that equitable and appropriate facilities are available to students in the special education program.

  1.  

Collaborates with the Coordinator of Special Education Accountability and the Special Education Coordinator of Elementary services in projecting personnel needs and making fiscally sound staffing assignments

  1.  

Monitors and ensures proper use of special education funds within assigned programs and campuses.

  1.  

Monitors, promotes compliance, and effectively documents lack of compliance and areas of concern regarding campus and district special education compliance, tracking systems, staffing issues, least restrictive environment, high expectations, PBMAS indicator status, and instructional progress.

  1.  

Presents a positive role model for students and staff that support the mission of the school district and the Special Education Department.

  1.  

Maintains a positive and effective relationship with supervisors and colleagues, while maintaining high expectations of students and staff.

  1.  

Deals sensitively and fairly with persons from diverse cultural backgrounds.

  1.  

Demonstrates skill in conflict resolution with administrators, parents, teachers, staff and/or the community.

  1.  

Communicates effectively with supervisors, colleagues, students, parents, and the community.

  1.  

Uses collaborative decision-making and problem-solving techniques when appropriate.

  1.  

Participates in professional organizations and professional development programs and conferences leading to improved job performance and provides leadership in identifying trends and opportunities.

  1.  

Seeks and utilizes evaluative feedback from peers, subordinates, and super-ordinates regarding his/her performance.

          40.

Coordinates Resource/Content Mastery/Inclusion and Co-Teaching Services including training campus and district administrators and staff.

          41.

Coordinates Extended School Year services, including staffing, contact hours, training, budgeting, and PEIMS reporting.

Equipment Used:
Computer, copier, fax, related office equipment, assistive technology devices, and positioning equipment.

Mental/Physical Demands: 
Reading, Math (data analysis), ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written); maintain emotional control under stress; coordinate campus support functions; work with frequent interruptions.
Moderate standing, stooping, bending and lifting; ability to control sudden violent or extreme physical acts of others and exhibit rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. May be required to lift and transfer students to and from wheelchair or assist with positioning students with physical disabilities; prolonged and irregular hours; regular district-wide travel to multiple work locations; exposure to biological hazards.

The foregoing statements describe the general purposes and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required.  07/10 SR