2025-2026 Special Programs Coordinator

Job Title: Special Programs Coordinator                                               Wage/ Status: Exempt
Department: K-12                                                                             HR Revised: March 2025

Reports to: PYP Principal

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY 

The Special Programs Coordinator is responsible for leading and coordinating programs for students with disabilities, ensuring compliance with Special Education, Section 504 and LPAC (Language Proficiency Assessment Committee) requirements. This role involves developing individualized education plans, providing professional development, and collaborating with educators to enhance educational outcomes for students with disabilities. The Special Programs Coordinator is a team member in the constant process of building a school culture conducive for learning, maximizing each child’s success, and successfully achieving Westlake Academy’s mission, vision, and values in accordance with all applicable federal and state procedures, laws, and regulations.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Certification

• Master’s Degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Mid-management/Principal/Administrative Certification preferred.
• Meets all TEA certification and licensing requirements for special education teachers.
• Possesses proficient knowledge of special education curriculum and instructional practices.
• Complies with TEA regulations, applicable federal, state, and local laws, school policies, and standards of the Professional Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators.
• Completion and successful results of the state-required fingerprinting and criminal background check is required.
• Must be legally able to work in the United States.

Experience

• Five (5) years teaching experience in special education.
• Administrative/Supervisory experience preferred.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of federal and state special education law.
• Understanding of the individual needs of special needs students.
• Strong knowledge of curriculum, instruction, and behavior strategies
• Proven experience teaching English Language Learners in a variety of settings.
• Ability to communicate with all levels of special needs students, teachers and parents.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others in a patient, flexible, and versatile manner.
• Ability to implement policy and procedures.
• Ability to interpret data.
• Ability to manage budget and personnel.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Management – Special Education

• IEP development and implementation - Leading the process of creating and reviewing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for each special education student, ensuring goals are measurable and appropriate. 
• Curriculum development - teachers Designing specialized curriculum and instructional strategies tailored to the unique needs of students with disabilities. 
• Student evaluation and assessment – Conducting evaluations to identify students requiring special education services and monitoring their progress.
• Collaboration with stakeholders - Communicating regularly with parents, teachers, administrators, therapists, and other relevant parties to ensure coordinated support for students. 
• Compliance management -Maintaining compliance with federal and state special education laws and regulations. 
• Resource allocation -Managing special education budgets and allocating resources to support student needs. 
• Case management – Ensure that individual student cases are managed properly, including addressing concerns and coordinating necessary interventions. 
• Oversee the development and delivery of special education curriculum and instructional programs that incorporate the Academy’s goals and support student achievement. Ensure that curriculum renewal is continuous and responsive to student needs.
• Develop and implement an effective special education referral process and ensure that student assessments and recommendations regarding placement and program management for individual students are completed in a timely manner.
• Monitor the admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) process. Participate in committee meetings as needed to ensure that students are placed appropriately and development of individual education plans for students are consistent with Academy procedures. Ensure that student progress is evaluated on a systematic basis.
• Obtain and use evaluative findings (including student achievement data) to gauge special education program effectiveness. Make changes when warranted.
• Understands the IB Inclusion policy and its implementation across the K-12 school.
• Ensure that the necessary time, resources, materials, and technology to accomplish educational goals are available. Encourage and support the development of innovative instructional programs.
• Take an active role in formulating and implementing contracts for special education students receiving services outside of Westlake Academy.
• Supports the management of student behaviors in accordance with the IEP and the Westlake Academy student Code of Conduct.
• Makes recommendations regarding placement and program management of individual students.

Program Management – 504

• Eligibility determination - Review student referrals and assist in coordinating evaluations for students potentially eligible for a 504 plan.
• Plan development – Create and streamline the process for determining 504 plan. Assist and support campus administrators when needed.
• Implementation and monitoring – Support the development of consistent, efficient procedures to ensure all steps are followed, while campus administration will make the final determination.
• Compliance oversight - Maintain accurate records of 504 plans, review and update policies to ensure adherence to federal guidelines and address any concerns regarding disability discrimination. 
• Complaint investigation - Investigate and address any complaints related to potential violations of Section 504 within the school district. 

Program Management – LPAC

• Facilitating LPAC meetings -Convening and leading meetings to review student data, determine eligibility for bilingual or ESL services, and make placement decisions for ELL students. 
• Student assessment review - Analyzing student language proficiency test results (like TELPAS) to inform LPAC decisions. 
• Data collection and analysis -Maintaining comprehensive student records, tracking ELL progress, and compiling data for reporting purposes. 
• Parent communication -Communicating with parents about their child's language proficiency assessment results, program placement, and supporting their involvement in the LPAC process. 
• Compliance monitoring -Ensuring the school district adheres to state and federal guidelines regarding ELL identification and programming. 
• Collaboration with other departments -Working with special education teams, counselors, and administrators to address the needs of ELL students with additional learning needs. 

Policy, Reports, and Law

• Implement the policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and local board policy in area of Special Education, 504 and LPAC. Recommend sound policies and procedures to improve program.
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required.

Budget and Inventory

• Develop and administer the special education budget based on documented needs and ensure that operations are cost effective, and funds are managed wisely.
• Maintain a current inventory of supplies and equipment and recommend the replacement and disposal of equipment when necessary.

Personnel Management

• Select, train, supervise, and evaluate special education teachers and paraprofessionals.
• Conduct regular training sessions for teachers, staff, and administrators on Special Education and Section 504 regulations, best practices for supporting students with disabilities, and proper documentation procedures. 
• Providing professional development opportunities for teachers on effective strategies for teaching ELLs and understanding the LPAC process. 
• Orientate and assist supplemental staff (OT, SLP, diagnostician, LSSP, PT, teacher’s aides).
• Make recommendations relative to staff assignment, retention, improvement plans, and dismissal.
• Prepare, review, and revise job descriptions in the special education department.
• Model core organizational beliefs and values; communicate openly and effectively within and across teams to maximize student success.
• Assists teachers in developing and maintaining classroom environments conducive to effective learning for the physical, social, and emotional development of students.

Communication and Community Relations

• Establish and maintain a professional relationship and open communication with principals, teachers, staff, parents, and community members.
• Articulate Westlake Academy’s mission, vision, and values in area of special education to the community and solicit its support of IB beliefs.
• Use appropriate and effective techniques to encourage community and parent involvement.
• Meets regularly with the program leadership of Elementary, Middle School and High School to discuss student needs and scheduling of support staff.
• Cooperatively liaises with classroom teachers to accommodate and modify regular curricula as needed and assist special education students in regular classes with assignments, as necessary.
• Oversee the scheduling of ARD meetings and coordinate with the designated special education teacher and general education teacher to ensure collaborative development of IEP goals prior to the meeting.
• Utilizes effective communication skills to present information accurately and clearly.
• Establishes and maintains professional communication with parents, students, and campus personnel; ensures that all interactions are supportive, courteous, and respectful.

Professional Development

• Participates in professional development activities that are aligned with Westlake Academy’s vision, mission, and values.
• Attends and participates in faculty orientation programs and develops the special education   teachers and paraprofessional on state and federal requirements.
• Regularly meets with paraprofessionals to train, guide and inform them of ways to support and collaborate with the classroom teachers to meet the needs of special education students.

Other Duties

• Teaches classes as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Attend Board meetings, as and when required.
  
  

EVALUATION 

The performance of this job will be evaluated at least annually by the Head of School.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Supervise, evaluate, and recommend hiring of special education teachers and paraprofessionals in conjunction with principals.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Tools/Equipment Used: Personal computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment.

Posture: Frequent standing, kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting.

Motion: Frequent walking; repetitive hand motions, frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching.

Lifting: Regular moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs.); may lift and move equipment; occasional physical restraint of students to control behavior.

Environment: Work inside, may work outside.

Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress; may work prolonged or irregular hours.

DISCLAIMER

This position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job.

Salary : $73,684 - $88,296