Director of Student Support Services

BASIS DC is seeking qualified candidates for a Director of Student Support Services!

The Director of Student Support Services oversees components of the student support team comprised of Special Education Teachers, Behavior Intervention Coordinator, Early Childhood Interventionist, Compliance Manager, related service providers, and paraprofessionals. This team works closely with the entire faculty to build teachers' expertise in instructing students with disabilities, communicates frequently with families, providing them with information about the school's support services, community resources, and their students' progress; and ensures that all services and supports are provided to students in compliance with effective practice and local & federal laws and regulations. In addition to the expectations described below, there will be additional responsibilities that the position undertakes or is assigned as the needs of students or of the school arise. The Director of Student Support Services is a member of the instructional leadership team and reports to the Head of School.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Oversee the successful implementation of the Special Education Program:

• Develops and monitors the overall vision for special education in collaboration with all stakeholders
• Assumes overall management responsibility for program design, compliance standards including instructional programs designed to maximize student performance
• Provides strong leadership in the oversight of the day to day operations of the special education program
• Establishes clear lines of communication at all levels: Head of School, Directors, school based personnel, parents, vendors/contractors, OSSE, and the community regarding special education, 504s, and ELL
• Encourage the development, publication, and use of new instructional procedures and/or techniques designed to enhance special education department's programmatic goals
• Maintain positive, cooperative, and mutually supportive relationships with the administration, instructional staff, students, parents, and representatives of resource agencies within the community
• Collaborate with school leadership teams to assist with the overall evaluation of inclusionary practices in their schools to identify and develop strategies for improvement
• Collaborate with school leadership to conduct co-observations and instructional rounds to support academic and behavioral program improvements
• Evaluates on an ongoing basis, the total special education program, curriculum, procedures, and individual students' needs and achievements
• Ensure curriculum renewal is continuous and responsive to student needs
• Identify students with possible exceptionalities through regular student data reviews and teacher check-ins, the Student Support Team process, and screenings
• Work with the operations and enrollment staff to ensure that new student information is collected and reviewed in a timely fashion.

Ensure that the referral process is timely, thorough and that eligibility decisions are well-made:

• Maintain a referral system that is easy to use by both families and teachers
• Respond to parent and teacher requests for evaluations within 2 days of the referral
• Provide guidance to teachers in their preparation of comments and data for meetings
• Schedule, convene and facilitate MDT meetings with all relevant specialists, teachers, and family members within 30 days of the referral
• Submit referral paperwork to evaluators within 2 days of consent
• Schedule evaluations with specialists and teachers
• Follow--up with evaluators to ensure reports are well--written and received by due date
• Communicate with parents and teachers about referral and evaluation status throughout the process
• Send home evaluation reports prior to MDT/eligibility meetings
• Prepare for MDT/Eligibility meetings by reviewing reports and coaching teachers and related service providers to review evaluations in a meaningful and clear manner for the parent
• Support teachers and related service providers in creating draft present levels, goals, and service hours where appropriate
• Oversee special education case manager meeting preparation, including scheduling, bringing correct documents, obtaining required signatures, uploading completed documents within timelines, and sending finalized documents to parents
• Schedule, convene, and facilitate MDT/Eligibility meetings within 60 days of the referral
• Ensure that parents and staff understand fully the eligibility decisions that are made (both short--term and long--term implications for students).

Ensure that the annual review process is timely, thorough and that decisions are well-made:

• Support teachers and related service providers in creating draft present levels, goals, and service hours where appropriate
• Oversee special education case manager meeting preparation, including scheduling, bringing correct documents, obtaining required signatures, uploading completed documents within timelines, and sending finalized documents to parents
• Ensure high quality and clear completion of IEPs, including transportation and extended school year decisions and worksheets and prior written notice
• Take or delegate completion of comprehensive notes during any contentious meetings or those where a substantial future record will be beneficial for context and planning
• Review student progress data to support in decisions regarding appropriate interventions, increasing or decreasing service hours, and evaluating or adding services in additional areas of concern.

Oversee related service providers in timely and high-quality provision:

• Ensure contracts are completed for all required related services based on anticipated needs, including those of new incoming students
• Collaborate with Chief Operating Officer to determine market rates for related services and support decisions regarding vendor selection and terms
• Ensure service delivery begins for all children the first week of school
• Support related service providers in crafting schedules with minimal impact on classroom participation, and share information about scheduling with case managers and teachers
• Ensure monthly service trackers are completed and of sufficient quality by the 10th of each month
• Run related service management reports or conduct individual service log reviews to ensure services are being provided at 100%; follow up directly with providers and supervising vendor contact regarding missed services and establish a timeline for making up any missed services
• Craft projection of related services needs and make recommendations regarding contracts and staffing
• Facilitate communication between related service providers, teachers, and families
• Provide training in Special Education Data System (SEDS) and other school-based tracking and monitoring systems as needed
• Complete all Transportation Request Forms, manage all transportation related (TOTE) systems, processes, complaints, and challenges.

Additional instructional, implementation, and monitoring duties:

• Ensure comprehensive data reviews and progress monitoring drive selection of interventions, revision to plans and programs, and consideration of additional or alternative supports
• Conduct co-teaching observation and feedback cycles to ensure high quality inclusion instructional practices
• Monitor creation and completion of ancillary documentation to ensure 100% compliance (transportation and ESY worksheets, PWNs, receipt of procedural safeguards, etc.)
• Support case managers in scheduling routine and specific progress monitoring meetings
• Respond in a timely and comprehensive manner to all parent concerns, requests for documentation, and requests for meetings
• Ensure relevant staff have access to each student’s IEP, 504, and/or English Learner plan and have received the necessary training or guidance to implement plans with fidelity
• Ensure all plans are being implemented, including service hours and accommodations
• Support the Manager of Data & Assessment in finalizing testing and accommodation plans for school-wide and state-wide assessments, including PARCC and ACCESS
• Ensure a full and robust continuum of services for students with a variety of diverse needs
• Conduct annual special education and 504 child find training
• Ensure that special education statistics mirror those of national trends or are better than national trends.

Legal and compliance responsibilities:

• Generate draft responses and provide a statement of facts and all relevant documents to the Head of School and school’s counsel for any complaint that includes special education, English Learner, or 504 programs, including: state complaints, due process, Office of Civil Rights, and Public Charter School Board complaints
• Maintain detailed, comprehensive records and documentation of all major decisions and programmatic changes made by the school or school teams, including rationale and parent communication logs in relation to each decision

Ensure high quality planning and implementation of Extended School Year:

• Identify a qualified lead teacher and classroom aide to design and implement instructional plans
• Collaborate with assigned lead teacher for Extended School Year to ensure appropriate individualized programs for all attendees at Extended School Year
• Ensure appropriate staff for Extended School Year, including teacher(s), dedicated aide(s), and related service providers in accordance with students’ IEPs.

State-level and nonpublic processes and monitoring:

• Coordinate and complete all state-level compliance monitoring activities, including Prong 1 and Prong 2 compliance responses, OSSE change in placement referrals, disproportionate representation, and child outcome summary monitoring benchmarks
• Work with OSSE placement specialists to complete the placement process efficiently as applicable
• Serve as case manager for all students in nonpublic placement, including consistent parent and school team communication, monthly site visits, review of all nonpublic documentation, progress reports, report cards, incident reports, and assessments
• Oversee Part C to B transition and Part B referral processes for Stage 4 enrolled students

Behavior Management Collaboration

• Contribute to the successful implementation of the social work and behavioral intervention programs
• Supervise behavior intervention coordinator in efficient completion of their responsibilities (see job description)
• Meet with the school social worker regularly to coordinate activities that impact students receiving student support services
• Coordinate and facilitate MDR meetings

Oversee the successful implementation of Section 504:

• Maintain a 504 referral system that is easy to use by both parents and teachers
• Respond to parent and teacher requests for evaluations within 2 days of the referral
• Schedule, convene and facilitate 504 meetings with all relevant specialists, teachers, and family members within 30 days of the referral
• Schedule evaluations with specialists and teachers as applicable
• Follow-up with evaluators to ensure reports are well-written and received by due date
• Communicate with parents and teachers about referral and evaluation status throughout the process
• Send home evaluation reports prior to 504 eligibility meetings
• Prepare for 504 Eligibility meetings by reviewing reports or parent-provided data and information, and coaching teachers and related service providers to review evaluations in a meaningful and clear manner for the parent
• Schedule, convene, and facilitate 504 Eligibility meetings within 60 days of the referral wherever possible
• Draft 504 plans for students with disabilities who qualify for them
• Case manage all 504 plans from referral through implementation and annual review
• Review all 504 plans annually with an appropriate team
• Periodically review 504 student accommodation implementation and related service delivery
• Periodically review 504 student academic and behavioral progress data to determine whether the plan is effective
• Ensure all teachers have access to 504 plans at all times

Other General Responsibilities

Hiring and Personnel Management

• Collaborate with Principals to hire and manage the Special Education members
• Develop clear and thorough job descriptions for all team positions; revise each year as school needs change
• Work with Head of School to recruit applicants with relevant professional experience for positions
• Work with Head of School to design an interview process that effectively screens applicants for particular qualities necessary for individual positions
• Oversee the applicant pool communications for Student Support Team applicants
• Oversee the interview process for applicants: participate in interviews, perform reference checks, make final decisions regarding candidates, and make compelling offers to candidates
• Orient new student support team staff to the school (vision/mission, academic program, and procedures), their roles, and the school community
• Help team members plan their daily, weekly, and monthly schedules
• Help team members problem--solve issues that arise with student progress, families, and colleagues; refer team members to the division principal for guidance or mediation where appropriate

Contribute to the Budget Process

• Determine the probable number of students with IEPs
• Continually track and, upon request, reasonably project the total number of service hours and make recommendations as to the number and structure of necessary personnel
• Determine the materials and resources necessary to improve the educational program of students who receive support

Serve as liaison to OSSE and DCPCSB in matters related to special education and ELL:

• Participate in trainings, cooperatives, and professional learning communities related to special education
• Respond promptly and comprehensively to requests for information

Remain up-to-date in special education law and regulations, including ESSA, IDEA, District of Columbia Chapter 30 law and policies, and OSSE Policies and Procedures.

Ensure school success in both special education and 504 audits and compliance monitoring

• Oversee the regular maintenance of student IEP files and ELL student files
• Prepare student data and complete all paperwork required by OSSE and DCPCSB within their timelines
• Prepare materials to share with auditors and compliance reviewers regarding the special education program and the ELL program as needed

Provide information upon request regarding student support services to Head of School, or any other internal or external stakeholders at Head of School request

Be an active member of the Professional Learning Community:

• Work with Student Support Team and the Principal to identify staff development needs in inclusive/ELL best practices and plan workshops according to those needs.
• Embrace school educational model and social curriculum
• Participate in Professional Development workshops, including Summer Professional Development.
• Seek out additional opportunities for professional development that will lead to achieving personal and professional development goals
• Visit other charter and public schools that successfully implement special education programs
• Network with other charter school and public-school Special Education Coordinators, and Student Support Directors

Additional Job Information:

Benefits and Salary:

• Salary for this position is competitive and dependent on education and experience
• BASIS Ed offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to:
  • Employer paid medical and dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • PTO
  • Ability to add dependents
  • 401k with partial match that grows over time
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Childcare Savings Opportunity (KinderCare tuition discount)

Notice of Non-Discrimination: In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act and applicable state law, BASIS* does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, gender identity or expression, or any other classification protected by law in any of its business activities, including its educational programs and activities which comply fully with the requirements of state and federal law and Title IX. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding BASIS’ non-discrimination policies: Beverly Traver, Compliance and Equity Investigator, BASIS Educational Group, LLC., 7975 N. Hayden Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85258, (480) 289-2088.

*As used in this policy, the term "BASIS" refers to: BASIS Educational Group, LLC, BASIS Charter Schools, Inc., BTX Schools, Inc., BDC, A Public School, Inc., BBR Schools, Inc., and all affiliated entities.

Qualified candidates must comply with the COVID-19 vaccination and mitigation requirements for individuals working in public charter schools pursuant to Mayor’s Order 2021-109, including being vaccinated against COVID-19 or obtaining a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date.