Director of Special Education

Paul Cuffee School, a K-12 public charter school of choice, educates a diverse community of students from the City of Providence, Rhode Island. We respect each individual and the world we share. This quality of our community is central to our mission. In the spirit of Paul Cuffee’s life, we teach students to value and practice personal initiative, perseverance, and social responsibility. Our School accomplishes these goals through a rigorous academic program which, enriched with maritime experiences, fosters discovery and critical thinking. We prepare students for higher education, lifelong learning, and active citizenship. To learn more about our school, please visit us at www.paulcuffee.org

Reports to: Head of School

Hours: 1.0 FTE, Exempt

Position Overview: 

The primary role of the Director of Special Education is to hold the overall responsibility for special education services in all three school buildings. S/he will assist with ensuring IDEA compliance, facilitating Evaluation Team Meetings, participating in IEP and RTI meetings for students with special education, reviewing and/or revising IEPs, and working collaboratively with the school’s administrative team to improve the achievement of all students with special education. The Director of Special Education will perform duties within the framework of Rhode Island General Law and the regulations of the Rhode Island Department of Education.

Responsibilities/duties include, but are not limited to:

• Evaluate and monitor the development and implementation of all aspects of the special education program processes in accordance with state and federal laws.
• Direct special education services for all students with disabilities and ensure that students have access to the school’s core curriculum in the least restrictive environment.
• Collaborate with school-based administrators and teachers regarding the discipline of students with disabilities.
• Assume responsibility for academic achievement and wellness of the students eligible for special education.
• Interview and hire special education staff members.
• Supervise all daily activities of special education relative to assigned tasks.
• With the Head of School and Principals, monitor the annual budgets for special education and coordinate budget requests with individual schools relative to instructional programs.
• Develop and maintain complete, confidential, individual records for students in special education.
• Serve as Local Education Agency representative of Evaluation Team and IEP Team meetings, or assigns designee.
• Coordinate and monitor Medicaid reimbursement activities and liaises with related agencies.
• Monitor and support use of assistive technology.
• Assume responsibility for all legally required federal and state reporting and record keeping.
• Regularly review federal and state legislation/regulations related to special education; identify and share the impact of changes on the school.
• Provide assistance and support to Response to Intervention efforts.
• Collaborate regularly with principals and all-school administrators in matters related to school improvement, student achievement, and family partnerships.
• Demonstrate responsiveness to all school stakeholders.
• Schedule meetings with special education program staff, keep and distribute meeting minutes, and facilitate the collaborative work of those departments.
• Set expectations and monitor the collaborative efforts between general education and special education staff.
• Maintain records of the total work of the department, monitor and lead direction for improvements when needed.
• Conduct ongoing needs assessments in the areas of special education to plan, implement and facilitate professional development for special and general educators.
• Work collaboratively with parents of students with IEP’s to plan, facilitate and recruit families to participate in Parent Advisory Committee meetings.
• Submit appropriate recommendations to principals and Head of School to maintain Section 504 compliance.
• Serve as a member of the all-school administrative team.
• Oversee the Extended School Year (ESY) program.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by Head of School.

Job Requirements

• Minimum of a Master's Degree in Education is required
• Minimum of five years of teaching experience is required; in urban setting, preferred
• Valid Rhode Island District Level Administrator - Special Education Certificate, or demonstrated eligibility to obtain it, required 
• National background check (after offer)
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required