Role Overview:
Reporting to the Managing Director of Student Supports, the Regional Director of Student Supports-Secondary Schools Support is responsible for supporting school teams and supporting coordination of all specialized services (IEPs, 504s, ELLs) for regionwide support for all KIPP Philadelphia Schools. The overarching goals of the position are to improve student achievement for all learners, to develop and support schools in implementing best practices for working with students who qualify for special education services, to build innovative solutions for specialized needs in our schools, to ensure programmatic compliance with local, state and federal guidelines, and to create efficiencies in cost and resources by facilitating collaboration and centralization across schools.
Key Responsibilities:
Programmatic Leadership
- In collaboration with the Managing Director of Student Supports, provide training, guidance, support, monitoring, and supervision of school personnel to assist schools in implementing special education and related services in compliance with IDEA and related federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
- Consult and provide biweekly compliance support to the Assistant Principal of Student Supports and create corrective action plans when and where appropriate based on file reviews, IEP reviews, and re-evaluation data reviews.
- Consult and provide monthly cadence with school-based Assistant Principals of Student Supports to develop, monitor, and evaluate the effectiveness of special education programs and other student supports (MTSS, 504, ELL, etc.)
- Conduct weekly check-ins (O3’s) and coaching and development support for Assistant Principals of Student Supports (file reviews, supporting case managers, IEP development, replacement curriculum, assessments, etc.).
- Analyze student achievement and progress data across multiple metrics and lead/consult with Managing Director of Student Supports on programmatic design decisions to enhance student outcomes.
- Implement systems of training, coaching, and supports so that students with disabilities are provided research-based, specially designed instruction that meets the unique needs of the student.
- Partners with school personnel to assist students with disabilities to access the sate-approved general education curriculum and to the maximum extent appropriate, be educated with their non-disabled peers.
- Works with school teams to develop transition programming for students with disabilities (SWD) and overseas related logistics, transportation, memorandums of understanding, with worksite partners (Assistant Principals of Student Supports). Supervise out of district (OOB) placements.
- Consult with schools on unique student cases that involve special placement decisions or unique logistical issues (i.e., transportation, medical services, homebound instruction, etc.).
- Support the implementation and coaching of special education and intervention curriculum in literacy, math and writing through selection, adoption, training, and implementation process
- Design impactful, high quality professional development workshops for Assistant Principals of Student Supports, case managers, and teachers on instructional and programmatic initiatives
- Serve as a central point of contact for internal programmatic and compliance questions related to Special Education (including services, discipline, etc.).
- Work with schools to implement the pre-referral process (e.g., SAP, RTII, Child Find) and support implementation of a multi-tiered support system (MTSS) and Tier 3 decisions.
- Support coordination of Psychology, Related Services, and other Special Education supports with outside agencies.
- Represent KIPP Philadelphia Schools on due process cases and pre-case settlements with attorneys.
- Support Due Process compliance processes through case tracking, filing, and case closure.
Operational/Compliance Leadership
- Analyze and report on special education enrollment and budgeting
- Co-Manage regional Special Education and 504 documentation system including web-based IEP database, shared resource drive, etc.
- Monitor compliance of all Special Education, 504, and ELL files and evaluations through regular file audits and assistance with obtaining paperwork from prior schools. Make recommendations and provide face to face support to Assistant Principals of Student Supports when they are not meeting compliance.
- Manage and support compliance protocols associated with special education (e.g., cyclical monitoring, charter renewal, annual reporting)
- Work with recruitment team to support special education hiring, as needed
- Negotiate and monitor region-wide contracts with service provider vendors and independent contractors to ensure schools utilize cost-effective services. Meet with Managing Director of Student Services prior to contract approvals.
- Manage region-wide Access Billing process (Medicaid) in conjunction with regional Operations team.
- Support the MDSS in creating Special Education Budgeting recommendations
- Supervise the planning, implementation, and evaluation of Extended School Year (ESY) services
- Communicate effectively with staff, principals, senior leadership, parents, agencies, facilities, districts, and Pennsylvania Department of Education.