Executive Director, Special Education & Student Support

JOB SUMMARY

The Executive Director, Special Education & Student Support, under the formal supervision of the Chief Academic Officer, is the key executive position critical to the acceleration of improved student outcomes across City Schools, specifically including students with disabilities. The Executive Director, Special Education & Student Support represents the district as the lead instructional executive responsible for providing leadership in promoting student achievement by ensuring that all identified needs of students are met, and that appropriate laws and regulations are followed, resulting in efforts that are rooted in the mission to eliminate disparities in achievement and to ensure college and career readiness for students with disabilities. The department oversees the Development and Implementation of Section 504 Plans, Special Education Citywide Programs, Individualized Education Program (IEP) Development and Implementation, related services, special education due process, self-monitoring and compliance, and placement. The Executive Director is responsible for developing and implementing Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) policies and procedures and providing specialized system leadership for the provision of specially designed instruction and related services for students who have IEPs and accommodations for students with disabilities who have a Section 504 Plan in City Schools through comprehensive planning and coordination.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• • Leads the planning and implementation of system-wide strategies, policies, and practices to improve the provision of specially designed instruction, IEP and 504 creation and compliance, and related services in support of student achievement in City Schools.
  • Collaborates with the Executive Directors of Teaching and Learning and Secondary Success & Innovation to ensure aligned curriculum, pedagogical practices, intervention programs and multi-tiered systems of support are in place to improve the delivery of specially designed instruction, intervention, related services, and secondary and post-secondary transition supports to students with disabilities.
  • Collaborates with ILEDS (principal supervisors), Principals, and Community Learning Network Academic and Special Education liaisons to implement and monitor the high-quality, aligned curriculum, programming, processes, and support in service of students with disabilities and the staff supporting their education.
  • Leads strategic budgeting, prepares and manages budget for Office of Special Education to ensure investments meet maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements as well as all supplemental special education needs investments.
  • Leads the strategic design and management of local, state, and federal special education grants to maximize local investments and extend services for students with disabilities.
  • Partners with the Maryland State Department of Education, USDOE, as well as internal and external auditors, to monitor progress on special education indicators and is responsible for district improvement plans, corrective action and collaborative action plans, as well as technical assistance requirements and compliance associated with special education monitoring by the state.
  • Liaises with parents, community members, school-based special educators and leaders, as well as students to ensure stakeholder feedback and voice informs decision making in support of students with disabilities. Inclusive is relationship building with SECAC, advocates, and policy makers.
  • Identifies staffing needs to support organization growth, effectiveness and efficiency and works in partnership with Human Capital to hire and retain special education staff.
  • Provides leadership through effective supervision, mentoring, and professional growth and development opportunities to assigned staff and establishes a culture where growth and improvement is valued.
  • Performs and promotes all activities in compliance with equal employment and nondiscrimination policies; follows federal laws, state laws, school boards policies and the professional standards.

QUALIFICATIONS

Strong candidates for the ED role will have a deep commitment to and a track record of supporting equitable outcomes for students with disabilities. They will have demonstrated success coordinating resources and programs across large, complex education systems, and bring some combination of the following skills, experience and credentials:

• • Master’s degree in special education, educational administration, or a related field; Doctorate Preferred. Degree must be from an accredited college or institution.
  • Valid Advanced Professional Certificate from the Maryland State Department of Education. Candidates with an equivalent credential from another state will also be considered if they are willing and able to pursue and earn MD credential through reciprocity. Must hold Special Education certification and Administrator I; Administrator II endorsement preferred.
  • Five years of supervisory/administrative/management experience in special education or related field, preferably in a large urban school district.
  • Experience as a principal/school leader with documented success improving student outcomes, particularly for students with disabilities.
  • Knowledge of legal mandates, regulations and requirements governing the provision of special education related services.
  • Knowledge of special education funding at the local, state, and federal levels.
  • Knowledge of current trends and research in special education.
  • Interpersonal skills that foster effective team building and engaging diverse stakeholders.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to make persuasive presentations to diverse audiences.
  • Ability to work cooperatively with community partners, including community agencies, other local school systems and the business community.
  • Knowledge of best practices for the instruction for diverse learners, particularly those who have been marginalized or disenfranchised.
  • Ability to leverage technology to support instruction, personnel and program evaluation.

REPORTING

The Executive Director, Special Education & Student Support reports to the Chief Academic Officer. Direct reports include assorted Directors, Coordinators and Administrative Staff.

TO APPLY

We have engaged Promise54 to support the hiring process.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For best consideration, please follow these instructions to submit a cover letter and resume:

• • Visit the Opportunities section on Promise54’s website and click on the APPLY NOW tab within the Baltimore City Public Schools, Executive Director, Special Education & Student Support position description.
  • Answer a brief set of questions about you.
  • Below the questions, you’ll be able to upload your resume as well as a cover letter.

Finally, if you encounter any technical difficulties, please contact: admin@promise54.org.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

Baltimore City Public Schools does not discriminate in any aspect of employment on the basis of race, color, ancestry or national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age. For inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies, please contact:

Equal Employment Opportunity Manager:

200 E. North Avenue, Room 208

Baltimore, MD 21202

410-396-8542(phone)

410-396-2955 (fax)

The above is intended to describe the essential content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.

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