SPECIAL EDUCATION DIRECTOR

TITLE:                                     Director of Special Education

REPORTS TO:                       Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction

JOB GOAL:

To make the special education department operate efficiently, productively, and in

conjunction with state mandates, to provide appropriate programming for students with

disabilities. To ensure academic growth for students with disabilities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Special education staff,  speech teachers, teachers of the deaf/hearing impaired, psychologists, and other professional staff as assigned. Supervision is done in cooperation with building principals. Non-instructional staff assigned to the department. Itinerant resource personnel which may include occupational, physical, and speech therapists, psychologists, and others as appropriate.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:               Other duties may be assigned.

• Supervises and evaluates Special Education staff conjunction with building principals.
• Supervises/monitors itinerant service providers.
• Studies the educational needs of students with disabilities requiring special education services and develops plans for meeting their needs.
• Insures that instructional specialists in special education directly corresponds with curriculum developed in regular education in terms of ensuring equivalent curriculum.
• In conjunction with assistant superintendent and  building principals selects training of

Special education staff.

• Recommends  the removal of a staff member whose work is below acceptable standards.
• Conducts staff meetings as necessary for the proper functioning of the department andassociated services.
• Assists in the establishment and evaluation of school district      goals and objectives asrequested.
• Chairs the Committee on Special Education and the Committee on      Preschool SpecialEducation.
• Carries out or supervises all required functions, practices, and procedures required by MDE including referrals, recommendations to the Board of Education, placements,programming, funding, etc.
• Directs special education placements within and outside of the district.
• Coordinated transportation for special education students as necessary.
• Functions as liaison to private schools, and preschools as needed for appropriate placement and services.
• Prepares and recommends the special education budget; authorized purchases and transfers.
• Keeps the Assistant Superintendent of Schools informed regarding needs, problems, and other information as appropriate.
• Ensures the implementation of district initiatives in all classes that support students identified with disabilities
• Uses data to improve academic, emotional, social and functional improvements for students identified as having a disability
• Implements Board of Education policies, and administers rules and regulations relating to special education.
• Keeps abreast of rules and regulations in regard to Special Education and assures district compliance.
• Participates in Administrative meetings, negotiations meetings,Board of Education meetings, and other meetings as required and appropriate.
• Works with assistant superintendent and central office staff on      school related issues.
• Keeps abreast of changes and developments in the profession byattending professionalmeetings, reading professional journals and other publications, and discussing problems of mutual interest with others in the field.
• Completes other tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Valid Mississippi Administrative Certification; A minimum of  5 years classroom teaching experience is required; Experience in supervision or administration required; Experience or demonstrated aptitude for planning and budgeting project proposals.