Oregon Connections Academy - Manager of Special Populations

Job Details

Description

Company Summary

Oregon Connections Academy is a tuition-free, online school serving students in grades K–12 throughout Oregon. Connections Academy schools are supported by Connections Education LLC, which is accredited by Cognia, formerly Cognia, formerly AdvancED. Oregon Connections Academy is authorized by the Prairie City School District to serve students throughout Oregon.

Oregon Connections Academy strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we serve. We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

Position Summary

The Manager of Special Populations will oversee all aspects of educational service delivery for students with special education needs, section 504 needs, and English-Language Learners. The Manager of Special Populations will ensure that the school operates in compliance with all district, state, and federal regulations. The Manager of Special Populations will collect, store, and update data and documentation in a manner that meets or exceeds all compliance expectations. The Manager will assure that special population teachers are providing a comprehensive program that includes specially designed instruction in the least restrictive environment and that all students’ records are accurate and up-to-date.

The Manager will manage the IEP process, communication with parents of students who have or who may be suspected of having disabilities, engagement with related service providers throughout the state, and compliant operations with special education law and procedures at all times. The Manager of Special Populations will work in collaboration with the School Leader, school leadership team and Pearson Online and Blended Learning. Leadership tasks will include collaboration with state board of education representatives, authorizing district representatives, and colleagues at the corporate office and other Connections Academy schools.

The Manager of Special Populations will also collaborate with school staff to ensure that state testing accommodations for students with IEPs and 504s are provided in an accurate and well planned manner. The Manager will provide excellent customer service to the district, school leaders, teachers, students, and families. The ideal candidate will demonstrate an ability to build strong relationships with these stakeholders and operate at a high level of integrity and accountability.

Primary Responsibilities

• The Manager of Special Populations will ensure that the school is providing appropriate programs in the least restrictive environment for all students with special needs, including EL, 504 and Special Education populations. This will include management of the IEP, 504, and ILP processes, communication with parents of students who have or who may have disabilities or limitations, engagement with related service providers throughout the state, and compliant operations with special education law and procedures at all times.
• The Manager of Special Populations will converse with the Oregon State Department of Education, as well as Special Population personnel at the district authorizer level.
• The Manager of Special Populations will be responsible for federal, state, district, and local policy and law compliance.
• Provide oversight of all aspects of IEP processes.
• Provide oversight of all aspects of Section 504 including: conducting meetings for new and returning students, developing and implementing 504 plans and ensuring accuracy of state testing accommodations;
• Provide oversight of all aspects of English Language Learners, including: developing and implementing an EL program and ensuring accuracy of state testing accommodations;
• Provide oversight of all aspects of Gifted Learners with an Education Plan, including: developing and implementing a Gifted program and ensuring accuracy of state testing accommodations;
• Plan, implement, and evaluate staff professional development activities, and;
• Perform other duties as assigned by the School Leader and Pearson Online and Blended Learning.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state special education processes and timelines;
• Remain compliant and conduct all tasks related to state reporting, meeting state timelines;
• Remain current and knowledgeable about federal and state special education statutes, regulations, and policies;
  
  

General Responsibilities

• Demonstrate a high level of integrity with transparency and accountability;
• Collaborate, serve, and engage with the school leadership team, Pearson Online and Blended Learning (POBL) and authorizing district leaders;
• Actively participate in all school functions and activities, including state testing, marketing events, and field trips (traveling as requested);
• Supervise, manage and evaluate staff in the special populations department;
• Communicate with the School Leader about the special populations team;
• Conduct IEP team meetings within state mandated timelines for all students with disabilities, including meeting timelines for newly enrolled students;
• Assist with supporting TNCA’s Mission Statement, school goals and School Improvement Plan;
• Implement procedures for placement, evaluation, assignment and re-evaluation of students with regard to Special Population Programs - IEP, 504, ELL, GT and Child Find
• Implement and maintain a documentation system within the school’s IEP system and Connexus Learning Management System that captures and organizes all special education data;
• Conduct school-based special education-related meetings;
• Coordinate the delivery of IEP mandated academic and related services including contracted services;
• Oversee the development, tracking, dissemination and proper implementation of IEP-mandated accommodations for students with disabilities during state testing events; Coordinate with the State Testing Manager to compliance during assessment activities.
• Collaborate with Pearson Online and Blended Learning staff and the local school team concerning all facets of programming for students with special needs, from identification to transition and dismissal;
• Work directly with parents, as needed, to answer questions and ensure that all school actions are in compliance, and in the interest of maximizing student learning in the Least Restrictive Environment;
• Oversee the instructional programming for students with exceptionalities, ensuring students make quantifiable progress on IEP goals and through their assigned curriculum;
• Develop a good working knowledge of Connections Academy’s curricular options, and how they can be adapted and implemented to meet specific student needs;
  
  

Requirements

• Please note 2-step authentication is required to set-up to login to all systems if given a job offer.
• Master's Degree in Special Education or a related field
• Degree in Special Education required
• Oregon Administrative certificate
• Oregon Special Education teacher certificate
• Minimum 5 years teaching experience in Special Education required
• Experience leading/supporting a Special Education program or parts of a Special Education program required
• Minimum of 5 years of administrative or team leadership experience preferred
• Required travel to the office and other locations around the state when requested for field trips, state testing, etc.
• Demonstrated expertise in special education law and compliance
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Strong customer-focused approach
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced environment
• Technologically proficient (especially with Microsoft Office products and Google products); strength with Microsoft Excel required