What are the responsibilities and job description for the Special Education Administrator AMS 26-27 position at Ashland Middle School?
Ashland Public Schools is seeking a Special Education Administrator for grades 6-8. The ideal candidate will facilitate all team meetings, provide oversight of special education services for students, provide consultation to the special education team to include related service providers, maintain regulatory compliance for special education timelines and comply with documentation requirements, support the supervision of educational support professionals, and regularly collaborate with the Director of Student Services as well as Ashland Middle School Administrators. They will additionally be responsible for a small group of out district students, evaluation educational support professional, and specialized program lead teachers.
Requirements:
Candidates for consideration must have:
- DESE Certification as Special Education Administrator or as a Director/Supervisor (covering at least grades K-8) with Special Education Teacher License and SEI Endorsement. Applicants working towards such DESE licenses are welcome to apply
- Master’s degree from accredited institution
- Minimum of five (5) years of experience as Special Education Teacher or equivalent as deemed appropriate by the Director of Student Services
- Experience teaching at the middle school level
- Ability to organize, work well with people, direct, supervise, evaluate and motivate others to get results
- Demonstrated knowledge of Massachusetts and federal special education laws, regulations, eligibility criteria and ability to implement the special education process to ensure compliance
- Knowledge of Individualized Education Programs and related IEP software programs
- Knowledge of nature and complexities of a variety of learning disabilities
- Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with all school personnel and parents
- Bilingual (Spanish and/or Portuguese) preferred, but not required
Responsibilities:
- Supervise and evaluate Educational Support Professionals
- Collaborates with Principals/Directors on Special Education Staffing including assisting with hiring of Special Education Staff
- Serves as Chairperson for all Team meetings
- Oversees the referral process, Team meeting process, and adherence to Individualized Education Programs based upon eligibility guidelines in accordance with federal and state requirements
- Responsible for ensuring that all timelines are met and all required paperwork is completed within mandated timelines
- Ensures that all services for students identified as special needs are implemented
- Assists with the oversight of the distribution of special education paraprofessionals within the buildings
- Communicate extra-curricular activities in the building that might require support as outlined in students IEPs
- Oversee and ensure scheduling/assignments of paraprofessionals within the buildings as per student IEPs
- Participate in bi-monthly special education staff meetings with the Director of Student Services
- Support the coordination of professional development activities and in-service training to staff
- Ensures adherence to Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Coordinated Program Review Standards
- Performs other duties as assigned by the Superintendent, Director of Student Services and/or building administrator/supervisor