Special Education Team Chairperson

This position is at the Locke Middle School & Ditson Elementary School. •Coordinate all required state and federal mandated Special Education procedures for initials, re-evaluations and annual reviews in accordance with regulations. • Be available to parents/guardians to help guide them through the process and answer questions regarding process and services. •Process referrals from school or parent or agency. •Keep an accurate log of all steps of the evaluation process including State mandated forms sent and received, dates of completion of assessments, time lines, etc. •Send out parent notification, permission to test, Medicaid letter, Parent’s Rights Brochure, parent questionnaire, release of information. •Designate and assign assessments in all areas of the suspected disabilities to all members of the evaluation team. •Schedule IEP meetings with regular and special educators, administrators, advocates, outside agencies and parents. •Coordinate with school as to time and location available to hold the meeting prior to writing invitations. •Send meeting invitations and attendance sheet to all participants, i.e., parents, administrators, regular and special educators, therapists, and any outside evaluators or agency personnel (DSS, DMH, MA Rehab, DMR, Early Intervention, etc.) as appropriate. •Coordinate the collection, ensure receipts of reports, and send to parents copies of reports two days prior to IEP meeting upon request. • Distribute copies of reports to team members prior to meeting •Update principals and Special Education staff in the buildings on special education issues and changes. •Review signed IEP’s with special education staff to ensure that services are being provided as offered on IEP. Review IEP’s prepared by staff, discuss with principal as necessary, and sign on behalf of Director of Special Education. •Train and consult with staff on IEP preparation and process including district software programs. •Supervise and participate in transitional planning for students to be certain of adequate programming in new buildings. •Recommend and supply learning materials as part of budget planning process and throughout the year to address student needs. •Observe and evaluate special education staff in accordance with Teachers’ Agreement. •Ensure compliance of special education staff with regulations and timelines. •Provide special education information to internal/system coordinators for tutoring services and for transportation services. •Collaborate with all members of the Evaluation Team. •Primary contact between school, home and agencies throughout the entire evaluation process (case management). •Interface with parents to resolve issues, complaints, misunderstandings and communication breakdowns. •Facilitate data meetings to resolve issues regarding IEP contents, service delivery, implementation of accommodations, placement, transitions, manifest determinations, transportation, etc. •Chair all IEP meeting for initials and reevaluations. Facilitate a consensus, and ensure a decision between team members, home and outside agencies. •If consensus is not reached, as the chairperson, make final decision regarding eligibility, service delivery, placement and authorization of funds. •Coordinate the writing of the IEP, extended evaluation, and/or amendment and provide parent with copy of draft. •Complete all forms necessary to the process, including Eligibility Determination Flow Chart, Specific Learning Disability Form, and meeting notes. •Provide entry data personnel with a draft of the IEP for processing. •Copy and send IEP to parent with Parent’s Rights Brochure, N1 and PAC information. •Ensure receipt of signed IEP and placement page, make copies and send to district contact person for distribution to the building principal, classroom teacher and all service providers. •Reschedule any/all meetings during process at parent/staff request and as needed. •Write N2 letter summarizing Team determination of student’s ineligibility for special education services. •Additional Duties: •Coordinate evaluations for approval from director for: •45 day placements •extended evaluations •independent evaluations •substantially separate class placement •out of district placement •transportation •tutoring •Upon receipt of additional evaluation (in and outside school district) collect information from therapists and hospital evaluations – reconvene the Team within 10 days and consider need to amend the plan. •Reconvene Team as needed to review progress. •Attend department meetings with the Director. •Attend weekly meetings with director. •Process waivers to forgo evaluation. •Perform other Special Education duties as directed Candidate must be MA certified as a Special Education Teacher with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Salary : $46,500 - $58,900