Director of Student Supports – Secondary Education

Role Overview:

Reporting to the Managing Director of Student Supports the Regional Director of Student Supports-Secondary Schools Support is responsible for supporting school teams and supporting coordination of all specialized services (IEPs 504s ELLs) for regionwide support for all KIPP Philadelphia Schools. The overarching goals of the position are to improve student achievement for all learners to develop and support schools in implementing best practices for working with students who qualify for special education services to build innovative solutions for specialized needs in our schools to ensure programmatic compliance with local state and federal guidelines and to create efficiencies in cost and resources by facilitating collaboration and centralization across schools.

Key Responsibilities:

Programmatic Leadership

• In collaboration with the Managing Director of Student Supports provide training guidance support monitoring and supervision of school personnel to assist schools in implementing special education and related services in compliance with IDEA and related federal and state laws rules and regulations.
• Consult and provide biweekly compliance support to the Assistant Principal of Student Supports and create corrective action plans when and where appropriate based on file reviews IEP reviews and re-evaluation data reviews.
• Consult and provide monthly cadence with school-based Assistant Principals of Student Supports to develop monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of special education programs and other student supports (MTSS 504 ELL etc.)
• Conduct weekly check-ins (O3s) and coaching and development support for Assistant Principals of Student Supports (file reviews supporting case managers IEP development replacement curriculum assessments etc.).
• Analyze student achievement and progress data across multiple metrics and lead/consult with Managing Director of Student Supports on programmatic design decisions to enhance student outcomes.
• Implement systems of training coaching and supports so that students with disabilities are provided research-based specially designed instruction that meets the unique needs of the student.
• Partners with school personnel to assist students with disabilities to access the sate-approved general education curriculum and to the maximum extent appropriate be educated with their non-disabled peers.
• Works with school teams to develop transition programming for students with disabilities (SWD) and overseas related logistics transportation memorandums of understanding with worksite partners (Assistant Principals of Student Supports). Supervise out of district (OOB) placements.
• Consult with schools on unique student cases that involve special placement decisions or unique logistical issues (i.e. transportation medical services homebound instruction etc.).
• Support the implementation and coaching of special education and intervention curriculum in literacy math and writing through selection adoption training and implementation process
• Design impactful high quality professional development workshops for Assistant Principals of Student Supports case managers and teachers on instructional and programmatic initiatives
• Serve as a central point of contact for internal programmatic and compliance questions related to Special Education (including services discipline etc.).
• Work with schools to implement the pre-referral process (e.g. SAP RTII Child Find) and support implementation of a multi-tiered support system (MTSS) and Tier 3 decisions.
• Support coordination of Psychology Related Services and other Special Education supports with outside agencies.
• Represent KIPP Philadelphia Schools on due process cases and pre-case settlements with attorneys.
• Support Due Process compliance processes through case tracking filing and case closure.

Operational/Compliance Leadership

• Analyze and report on special education enrollment and budgeting
• Co-Manage regional Special Education and 504 documentation system including web-based IEP database shared resource drive etc.
• Monitor compliance of all Special Education 504 and ELL files and evaluations through regular file audits and assistance with obtaining paperwork from prior schools. Make recommendations and provide face to face support to Assistant Principals of Student Supports when they are not meeting compliance.
• Manage and support compliance protocols associated with special education (e.g. cyclical monitoring charter renewal annual reporting)
• Work with recruitment team to support special education hiring as needed
• Negotiate and monitor region-wide contracts with service provider vendors and independent contractors to ensure schools utilize cost-effective services. Meet with Managing Director of Student Services prior to contract approvals.
• Manage region-wide Access Billing process (Medicaid) in conjunction with regional Operations team.
• Support the MDSS in creating Special Education Budgeting recommendations
• Supervise the planning implementation and evaluation of Extended School Year (ESY) services
• Communicate effectively with staff principals senior leadership parents agencies facilities districts and Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Qualifications :

Who You Are:

• You love and see the high potential of all children.
• You have experience driving student growth and achievement and to create a warm inclusive rigorous learning environment.
• You have passion for facilitating professional learning including a desire to continuously grow and learn as a leader.
• You operate with cultural competence and a commitment to inclusion anti-racism and the eradication of anti-Blackness. 
• You believe that teachers are the primary drivers of student growth learning and achievement.
• You have high expectations for students and teachers; and the ability to motivate inspire and hold others accountable.
• You are solutions-orientated and have an eagerness to adapt in order to solve problems.

Qualifications:

• Degree in Special Education required  
• Minimum three years of Special Education Leadership experience  
• Minimum three years teaching experience in public or charter setting  
• Experience with management and/or coaching of professional staff
• Exceptional knowledge of national Pennsylvania state and local special education statutes and laws required
• Ability to complete all required criminal and child abuse background checks:
  • PA State Police Clearance
  • PA Child Abuse Clearance
  • Cogent Federal Fingerprinting

Preferred:

• Masters degree in special education
• Special Education teaching experience
• PA State Certification in Special Education
• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Special Education Supervisory certificate or Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Administrative certificate for K-12
• PA State Certification in Special Education
• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Special Education Supervisory certificate or Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Administrative certificate for K-12

Skills and Characteristics:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with experience in leading across differences.
• Ability to exercise excellent judgment in decision-making and to succinctly provide legally sound comprehensive responses in unique situations.
• Ability to gather and analyze data compile information and prepare reports.
• Flexible and able to multi-task within an ambiguous fast-moving entrepreneurial environment while also driving toward clarity and solutions
• Highly organized and able to build and maintain systems of organization that are effective and efficient for users of varying experience and expertise.
• Proficient with web-based Special Education documentation systems; PowerSchool Special Education Deans List and Infinite Campus strongly preferred.
• Demonstrate resourcefulness in setting priorities and guiding investment in people and systems.
• Uphold the KIPP Philadelphia Core Values: Children First Cultural Competence Community Ownership

Additional Information :

Compensation:

Salaries at KPPS are competitive and equitable.

• The salary range for this position starts at $95000-$105000 and is commensurate with experience.
• All full-time team members at KPPS enjoy a comprehensive health benefits package (including vision and dental a telehealth option and flexible spending accounts) for themselves and their families as well as a 403B matching program for retirement savings.

Note to Applicants:

• KIPP Philadelphia Schools is an equal opportunity employer. Employees are selected on
  the basis of ability without regard to race color religion sex national origin disability
  marital status or sexual orientation in accordance with federal and state law.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time