ARD Facilitator (26-27)

Strategy

Support the strategic vision to ensure that KTX school and regional teams implement the Special Education Strategic Plan and provide comprehensive improvement of school performance using a collaborative approach to clear and specific performance targets aligned to the Special Education Strategic Plan and execute, monitor, edit strategic plans, annual goals and quarterly benchmarking for departmental improvement.

Responsibilities

• Schedules, or assists in scheduling, Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) meetings and notifies parents of the ARD meeting, including distributing of ARD calendar to appropriate ARD Committee members in a timely fashion;
• Ensures that Individual Transition Plan elements are completed in the applicable cases;
• Notifies all appropriate school personnel of ARD meeting/ARD schedule changes;
• Ensures that federal/state timelines are met with respect to functions of ARD Committee meetings: requests for additional assessments and required timelines set by ARD Committee;
• Writes and monitors ARD paperwork and submits ARD paperwork by the compliance due date;
• Completes required documentation and reports required by the special education department by due dates (e.g. transportation forms, extended service year (ESY) forms, October snapshot, etc);
• Completes appropriate ARD supplements and collects appropriate data (i.e., ESY regression, individual educational plan (IEP), behavior improvement plan (BIP, etc.));
• Follows beginning, middle, and end of year procedures and submits appropriate summer program student recommendations;
• Ensure that IEPs, other special education documentation, and 504 plans are compliant with federal, state, and district regulations.
• Participate in IEP meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and other relevant meetings to discuss student progress;
• Support and Communication
• Maintains systematic communication between special and general education personnel with respect to ARD meetings and decisions, IEPs, student accommodations, and instructional concerns and progress;
• Maintains positive relationships with school staff, parents, and community members;
• Provide coaching to school-based special education managers and other staff that support special populations students across all grade bands, including self-contained classrooms on MTSS, 504, and Special Education;
• Provide support for special population compliance across the organization;
• Data Analysis and Improvement
• Analyze school data including 504, and ARD compliance to inform school based support and assistance;
• Maintains current state assessment rosters and submits referral sheets (additional testing, re-evaluation, etc.) including those for related services.
• Maintains communication between assessment personnel and related service providers;
• Use data to develop goals and support the education needs of special populations students;
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Cultivate the trust of all key stakeholders, including teachers, parents, and administrators, to support student success;
• Maintain productive working relationships with other internal departments and lead troubleshooting efforts when issues arise with special populations;
• Serve as the Special Populations team Liaison, ensuring effective communication and collaboration between teams;
• Professional Development Support/provide monthly PD, newsletter input, communication, to provide ongoing coaching and guidance to the school-based staff;
• Develop and deliver training on organization structures, processes, and procedures necessary to support effective compliance;
• Collaborate with the Director of ARD Facilitation and school staff to resolve TEA complaints;
• Other Duties
• Perform all other tasks and duties as assigned by the Senior Director of Special Populations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required;
• Special Education Certification;
• Satisfactory outcome background check;
• 3+ years experience teaching with a focus on special education services;
• Knowledge of 504, and the 13 eligibility categories under IDEA;

Competency and Skills

• Unwavering commitment to KIPP Texas mission, students, families, and community;
• Strong record of helping students achieve academic success, primarily with students in educationally underserved communities;
• Desire to continuously learn and increase effectiveness as an ARD Facilitator and professional; offer and receive constructive feedback;
• Willingness to be flexible and to go above and beyond to meet the needs of KIPP Texas students;