Special Education Accountability Specialist

Job Description:

The Special Education Accountability Specialist will assist ACPS school-based teams to ensure compliance with division policies and procedures as related to special education services in a school setting.  This will include compliance checks as well as appropriate eligibility and data-based decisions related to the processes of referral and evaluation for special education services. The Specialist will provide training and onsite technical assistance to school-based teams navigating the referral, evaluation, and eligibility for special education.  The Specialist will provide technical assistance to staff regarding the development of Individualized Education Programs and monitor timelines for completion.  In addition, the Specialist will work with school administrators to collect and submit to the Executive Director of Specialized Instruction the necessary State Performance Plan Indicator data for reporting information to the Virginia Department.

Location(s)

George Washington Middle School

Qualifications:

• Education:  Master’s Degree in Special Education or in a related field.
• Certificates & Licenses: Valid Virginia Department of Education license required, or eligibility to obtain one. Special Education endorsement required and Administration endorsement preferred.

Experience:  

• Knowledge in federal and state special education laws and regulations, specifically those related to response to intervention, referral, and eligibility.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
• Ability to interact effectively with administrators, teachers, parents, professionals, students, and community agencies.
• Knowledge and ability to manipulate data.
• Ability and understanding of how to implement regulation and policy in an applicable and functional manner.
• Knowledge or willingness to learn to use multiple data collection and analysis tools.
• Instructional background to clearly connect data to decision-making.
• Job-related experience with increasing levels of responsibility is required.

Essential Functions:

• Serves in a special education leadership role.
• Conducts monthly and yearly audits of all IEP’s.
• Ensures student schedules are in compliance with IEP requirements.
• Conducts all IEP draft reviews in collaboration with administrators. 
• Provides weekly updates for the administrative team regarding IEP’s conducted for the current week and scheduled for the following week.
• Monitors compliance with Tier 2 and 3 Special Education Interventions.
• Ensures that students’ accommodations are implemented and reviews timelines for applications for testing (College Board, ACT, etc)
• Collaborate with Testing Coordinators to oversee the implementation of accommodations during testing windows.
• Participate in a variety of meetings to convey and/or gather information required to perform functions to include: attend IEP meetings serving as the LEA/Administrative Designee, Administrative Team Meetings, SPED Department Meetings, and Professional Learning Communities.
• Develop and implement a special education data collection model.
• Report incidents, attend the disciplinary hearing(s) with administrators, monitoring Special Education suspensions, etc. (e.g. fights, suspected child abuse, suspected substance abuse, etc.) to maintain the personal safety of students, provide a positive learning environment and adhere to Education Code and school policies.
• Utilizing a Train The Trainer Model - Provide professional learning and training for staff in collaboration with Special Education instructional specialists on how to:
• Adapt classroom work to provide students with instructional materials that address individualized learning plans within established lesson plans.
• Manage special education caseloads.
• Provide specially designed instruction.
• Implement Tier 2 and 3 Interventions for students with disabilities.
• Develop legally compliant standards-based Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
• Assess student progress towards objectives, expectations, and/or goals and provide feedback to students, parents, and administration.
• Work with teachers to provide effective classroom management and instructional program to address the needs of individual students.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned, to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the Special Education program.

Please note: This is a 216 day, 11-month position. 

Clearances

• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance.
• Tuberculosis Skin Test.

Public Health Compliance

• Must follow safety and health protocols.

WP