Special Education Coordinator

About the Role

The Special Education Coordinator provides instructional and support services for students with disabilities to assure compliance with federal, state, and district laws, policies, and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and support in the planning, design, and implementation of classroom instruction, behavior modification, and the assessment of student learning.
• Affords assistance in monitoring program components, support needs, and material for the purpose of delivering services which conform to established guidelines.
• Responds to issues involving staff, conflicts in policies and regulations, community concerns, parental requests that may result in some negative impact and/or liability if not appropriately addressed.
• Provides program leadership, professional development and support for the purpose of integrating all student services and programs with general education.
• Implements special education services and programs as needed and/or assigned for the purpose of conforming state and district curriculum and/or instructional objectives.
• Researches topics required to manage assignments for the purpose of developing new program/services, ensuring program compliance with relevant federal and state requirements.
• Serves as the LEA representative for all special education evaluation and individual education planning meetings, as well as manifestation determinations.
• Compiles data from assessments, alternative assessments, and daily work for the purpose of analyzing issues, ensuring compliance with various policies and procedures.
• Affords assistance in performing personnel functions (e.g. interviewing, evaluating, supervising, etc) for the purpose of maintaining highly qualified staff.
• Facilitates communication between personnel, students, and/or parents for the purpose of evaluating situations, solving problems, and/or resolving conflicts.
• Facilitates and supports weekly Professional Learning Team (PLT) meetings with special education teachers across the full continuum of services.
• Serves as the primary liaison between feeder schools and the high school by maintaining consistent communication regarding special education programming.
• Represents the district at all 8th-grade transition meetings, collaborating with students, families, and school teams.
• Participates in the recruitment, hiring, supervision, training, and ongoing support of special education teaching assistants.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years special education classroom teaching experience.
• Two years special education administrative experience preferred.
• Must have strong knowledge of Special Education laws, rules and regulations.
• Valid Illinois Professional Educator License with LBS1 and General Administrative endorsements required.
• Director of Special Education endorsement preferred.

Skills

• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to analyze data and make informed decisions.
• Knowledge of special education laws and regulations.
• Experience in program development and implementation.
• Experience with Medicaid documentation procedures.
• Familiarity with IEP writing programs.
• Ability to facilitate professional development.

Pay

Minimum starting salary of $80,000. Dependent on experience and qualifications.