*REPOSTED*

Assistant Principal for Student Services 

Wayland Middle School seeks a skilled and dynamic leader to join the building and district administrative team as an Assistant Principal for Student Services.

General Description: The Assistant Principal for Student Services is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of special education and 504 Plans including meeting facilitation, IEP/504 Plan development and implementation high quality programming, supports and services.

In conjunction with the Building Principal, Assistant Principals and Director of Student Services, the Assistant Principal for Student Services provides general building leadership, guidance and coaching for all faculty members with respect to students with disabilities. The administrator will work to enhance existing programs and support interventions that reflect best practices in all areas with an emphasis on social-emotional skill development, language-based learning disabilities and Autism.

The individual in this position will also focus on supporting the social emotional needs of students in partnership with counselors, psychologists and other mental health professionals.

Key Responsibilities

• Assists with the supervision and evaluation of all special education staff including special education teachers, related service providers, and teaching assistants.
• Oversees the Team process and adherence to Individual Education Programs based on eligibility guidelines and in accordance with Federal and State requirements and is responsible for seeing that all timelines are met and all required paperwork is completed. 
• Ensures that the special education processes from initial eligibility to IEP development, to implementation is administered with equity and with excellence for all with attention to ensure that students from diverse linguistic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds are not systematically referred to special education and are neither over- nor-underrepresented in special education.
• Processes initial and reevaluation requests, facilitates initial and reevaluation meetings and serves as the chair of other Team meetings as needed. 
• Coordinates IEP progress reports at the end of each grading period, ensuring that progress reports are provided to families in a timely fashion and that appropriate steps are taken by IEP teams when students do not make progress on IEP goals
• Understands and implements federal, state, and local laws, policies, regulations, and procedures and protocols including the implications of liability and requirements of due process.
• Develops systems to monitor compliance with special education process and timelines in accordance with state and federal regulations and local process
• Maintains accurate IEP records and documentation (PowerSchool, student files, rosters, meeting notes, communications, etc.)
• Uses creative problem-solving in customizing the best combination of educational programs and services for each child with disabilities.
• Understands him/her self as an integral member of the educational team that effectively communicates to all staff, parents, students, and community members a systemic approach that models teamwork, encourages collegiality, and supports collaboration.
• Provides visible building leadership on behalf of special education and students with disabilities.
• With the building principal, coordinates service delivery between special education teachers, instructional assistants and related services providers at the building and ensures that all services are provided
• Contributes to the development and implementation of department specific professional development
• Contributes to placement process to facilitate efficiencies in service delivery 
• Plans, develops, and conducts department meetings.
• Researches and shares best practices for educational interventions, accommodations and modifications to meet the individual needs of students.
• Collaborates with sending and receiving IEP/504 teams for the transition from 5th to 6th grade , and 8tth to -9th grade along with grade to grade transitions within the middle school..
• Assists in the organization of Extended School Year with the dissemination of information regarding ESY to staff and families, including monitoring the eligibility for ESY and data necessary to provide appropriate programming for ESY
• Assumes responsibility for the accuracy, validity, and interpretation of assessment results as related to special education eligibility determination.
• Assists Teams in gathering data and evidence required in planning the educational programs for students with disabilities.
• Coordinates and ensures the implementation of department policies, procedures, and practices with respect to special education.
• Ensures the planning and implementation of MCAS testing program as related to special education.
• Conducts in-service sessions and training programs for staff members on topics related to special education.
• Serves as a support for Special Education Teachers, particularly newly-hired Special Education Teachers, and provides individual professional development as needed
• Participates in the support of students through direct classroom support and coaching to special education and regular education teachers in order to meet the academic and behavioral needs of students
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Director of Student Services and Principal.

Qualifications 

• DESE license as an Administrator for Special Education required
• Masters degree or higher in special education or related field 
• Five years of public school experience including both teaching and Team facilitation
• Knowledge of research-based interventions and best practices/programs for students with disabilities 
• Experience with specialized program development and design 
• Solid organizational skills
• Excellent oral and written language skills
• Demonstrated leadership skills
• Knowledge of new IEP and IEP development
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state special education laws and regulations