Director of Student Support
About the role
The Chief of Student Support will provide strategic leadership for all student support and special education programming across the school, ensuring equitable access to rigorous instruction and appropriate services for students with disabilities.
Responsibilities
Provide strategic leadership for all student support and special education programming across the school.
Ensure equitable access to rigorous instruction and appropriate services for students with disabilities.
Supervise and support special education teachers, related service providers, and support staff.
Strengthen inclusive practices across general education and special education settings.
Develop systems to improve student outcomes, service delivery, and regulatory compliance.
Ensure that student support services align with Codman Academy’s mission and instructional priorities.
Support culturally responsive and inclusive practices across all student support programming.
Oversee and support the development and implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
Chair or oversee initial, reevaluation, annual review, and emergency placement meetings.
Secure and monitor parent consent and signatures for evaluations and IEPs.
Ensure teachers and service providers receive and implement updated IEPs.
Align student schedules with required IEP services and accommodations.
Monitor IEP service delivery and minute compliance.
Lead the development and implementation of transition planning systems for students with disabilities in grades 7–12.
Ensure compliance with transition planning requirements beginning at age 14.
Collaborate with leadership to align transition plans with: Internship programs, Career pathway opportunities, Work-based learning, Postsecondary planning.
Lead preparation and oversight for DESE Tiered Focused Monitoring, including: Special Education, Multilingual Learners, Civil Rights, Student Support Systems (MTSS/SST).
Monitor school compliance with: IDEA, Section 504, Massachusetts DESE regulations, Civil rights requirements.
Conduct internal compliance reviews and audits.
Develop and oversee corrective action plans when required.
Maintain documentation systems required for state monitoring.
Oversee and supervise the school nurse and required annual health screenings.
Monitor, develop, and update special education policies and procedures.
Ensure school practices align with DESE guidance and federal law.
Develop protocols related to: IEP development, Evaluations, Service delivery, Parent communication, Student support processes.
Chair Section 504 eligibility meetings.
Develop and monitor 504 accommodation plans.
Ensure teachers and staff implement required accommodations.
Coordinate state and school-based testing accommodations, including MCAS.
Ensure compliance with all testing accommodation regulations.
Collaborate with school leadership to ensure appropriate supports for students.
Lead and coordinate responses to dispute resolution processes, including: Mediation, State complaints, Due process hearings.
Support school leadership during complex student support cases.
Lead Manifestation Determination hearings and ensure compliance with student discipline regulations.
Manage and oversee special education grant applications and funding, including: Federal IDEA grants, State special education funding, Other relevant grants.
Track expenditures and ensure compliance with grant reporting requirements.
Collaborate with finance and advancement teams regarding grant management.
Coordinate services with outside agencies and contracted providers.
Serve as liaison with: Evaluators, Therapists, Community agencies, Private placement providers.
Coordinate services for students placed in out-of-district programs.
Monitor special education systems, including: IEP compliance, Service delivery, Evaluation timelines, Progress reporting.
Oversee Medicaid reimbursement processes, including: Parent consent collection, Random Moment Time Studies, EasyTrac documentation.
Track student outcomes and compliance metrics.
Ensure accurate reporting to state and federal agencies.
Build strong partnerships with the families of students with disabilities.
Provide clear communication regarding services, rights, and processes.
Support engagement with the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SPED PAC).
Assist families in navigating school and community support systems.
Provide professional development related to: Inclusive practices, IEP implementation, Behavioral supports, Differentiated instruction, MTSS/SST, Compliance requirements.
Support teachers in implementing accommodations and specialized instruction.
Collaborate with instructional leadership to strengthen Tier 1 and Tier 2 supports.
Qualifications
Valid Massachusetts DESE License in one of the following: Special Education (Moderate or Severe Disabilities), School Psychologist, School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor, Speech-Language Pathologist, Administrator License (or ability to obtain).
Minimum five years of experience in special education leadership or administration.
Comprehensive knowledge of: IDEA, Massachusetts DESE regulations, Section 504, Transition planning requirements.
Demonstrated experience leading special education systems and collaborating with school leadership.
Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Authorization to work in the United States.
Preferred
Master’s degree in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or related field.
Experience in urban charter school environments.
Experience managing special education grants and compliance systems.
Experience supporting postsecondary transition planning.
Bilingual or multilingual skills, particularly in languages commonly spoken in Boston (Spanish, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, Portuguese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Somali).
Section 504 Coordination
Chair Section 504 eligibility meetings. Develop and monitor 504 accommodation plans. Ensure teachers and staff implement required accommodations.
Benefits
Not specified.
Pay
$100,000 - $140,000
Schedule
Full-Time, 12-Month Position