Program Specialist, Services for Exceptional Children

About the role

The Program Specialist for Services for Exceptional Children is responsible for assisting the Area Superintendent in the development and implementation of effective K-12 standards-based instruction, appropriate and balanced assessment, and standards-based grading and reporting.

Essential Duties

• Assists schools in determining the level of implementation of standards-based instruction best practices and the alignment with standards-based progress report cards in the Exceptional Children program
• Assists administrators in supporting, training, and coaching teachers and staff in the Exceptional Children programs
• Supports the development of Power Standards and Reporting Standards K-12
• Designs and delivers training to administrators/teachers in providing feedback to students to improve instruction delivery
• Identifies resources and supports teachers with differentiation to meet all students’ needs in the Exceptional Children programs
• Assumes responsibility for communicating and coordinating pilot report card implementation and support
• Provides individual assistance to schools experiencing Special Education grading issues
• Provides ad hoc reports on the status of standards-based instruction/progress reporting and develops recommendations for improvement
• Serves as liaison between the Division of Academics and Teacher Quality in all issues related to instructional best practices that are aligned performance management standards for teachers
• Works in collaboration with other departments to maximize teacher effectiveness as it relates to the Exceptional Children curriculum, instruction, and assessment
• Collaborates with Leadership in Learning and Teaching in development of and revisions to new curriculum
• Aids schools in ways to integrate curriculum
• Serves as the first responder to the public in each area including principals, parents, teachers, and outside agencies
• Informs Area Superintendent of issues and concerns related to students with disabilities
• Affirms adequate support to administrative area to meet the needs of students with disabilities
• Serves as a broker for Exceptional Children services to ensure customer service and efficiency
• Attends all area meetings and represents interests of students with disabilities
• Coordinates with area-based personnel in problem solving
• Serves as liaison between the area office and Exceptional Children Department
• Performs other duties as assigned by the appropriate administrator

Required Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in The area of Special Education
• Certification/Licensure in Special Education
• Prior experience with standards-based instruction and professional staff development
• Experience in the education of students with exceptional needs
• Prior experience working within a large, complex organization

Experience Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of successful classroom teaching experience required
• Three years supervisory experience preferred

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local mandates for Special Education requirements
• Experience with curriculum development
• Detailed knowledge and experience with standards-based instruction and assessment best practice
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver training to adult learners across multiple disciplines and levels
• Demonstrated knowledge in differentiation and meeting the needs of varied learners
• Ability to plan and implement short and long-range goals and objectives
• Ability to work with collaborative teams
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent interpersonal skills needed to work effectively with administrators, staff, and community members
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing

Physical Demands

• Routine physical activity associated with normal office environment
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. occasionally