Director of Language Services - 2026-2027 School Year

Job Title:                    Director of Language Services (English Language Learners and Dual Language Programming)

Responsible to:        Assistant Superintendent for Instruction                                           

Qualifications:         Required - BS in Elementary or Secondary Ed; Master’s Degree in

Educational Administration; Experience with English Language Learners and Programming; Knowledge of Dual Language Programs

Preferred - EL Certification; Bilingual

Term:                       Full-time, 12 Months

Classification:            Certified, Exempt

Primary Functions:             

To provide leadership and direction for the planning, development, organization, implementation, and evaluation of all district-wide Language Services programs (PreK-12), including English Learner (EL) services, Dual Language (DL) programming, and translation services, in order to ensure equitable access, high academic achievement, and full compliance with all federal, state, and local mandates.

General Responsibilities:

• Multi-lingual program leadership and coordination with administrators, coaches, and teachers
• Collaborate with IT, families, schools, and Welcome Center staff to oversee enrollment and registration of new language minority students into the district
• Collect, analyze, and consistently measure data related to district, building, and program goals, and report progress to district stakeholders.
• Monitor compliance with state and federal regulations, WIDA, and Lau Plan requirements
• Align and articulate programming among buildings and grade levels
• Ensure implementation of best practices (EL and DL) in all areas of curriculum, instruction, and assessment
• Coordination of Seal of Biliteracy efforts district-wide
• Promote and lead family and community engagement
• Maintain accurate program data in ELLevation, WIDA-AMS, and Infinite Campus.

Specific EL Responsibilities:

Program Leadership and Management:

• Oversee student identification, screening, placement, and redesignation processes using state-approved assessments to ensure accurate and timely services for all eligible students.
• Develop and manage the ESSA Title III Plan, ensuring all requirements and fund allocations are carried out effectively and in compliance with guidelines.
• Maintain and update the district's Lau Plan to reflect any changes in state or federal regulations, ensuring all programming meets legal requirements for serving EL students.
• Serve as the District Testing Coordinator for ACCESS testing, managing all logistics, scheduling, and data reporting for the annual English language proficiency assessment.
• Coordinate with the IT department regarding registration compliance and the implementation and maintenance of EL software and data platforms.
• Prepare and update district handbooks and other program documents, ensuring all information is current and accessible to stakeholders.
• Network with MELL specialists, other district EL leaders, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Educations’s (DESE) EL curriculum director to stay abreast of best practices and regulatory changes.
• Schedule and maintain regular collaborations between the EL department and all other district departments to ensure integrated support.

Staffing and Professional Development:

• Supervise and guide the work of district EL staff, coaches. and district Home-to-School Liaisons in collaboration with building and district leadership.
• Monitor data on personnel needs and placement, collaborating with HR to ensure appropriate staffing levels and certified personnel across the district.
• Collaborate with administrators, coaches, and teachers to identify key areas of need for professional growth based on student data and classroom observations.
• Develop staff training or locate needed training available for staff to address identified growth areas.

Curriculum and Instruction:

• Research and provide new methods, materials, and strategies to staff to enhance instruction and engagement for English Learners.

Specific Dual Language Responsibilities:

Program Leadership and Management:

• Develop, articulate, and maintain a clear vision and mission for the district's DL programs, ensuring alignment with overall district goals and state/federal regulations.
• Establish and monitor a district-wide DL program model and language allocation plan for all participating schools, ensuring appropriate balance of instruction in both languages.
• Conduct an annual program evaluation and use formative and summative assessment data to refine instructional and enrichment practices to accelerate student learning in both languages.
• Coordinate student placement procedures, including lottery selection processes (where applicable), and monitor student progress to ensure continued academic and linguistic achievement through at least 5th or 6th grade.

Curriculum and Instruction:

• Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of a guaranteed and viable biliterate curriculum across all content areas for Dual Language programming, ensuring alignment with overall Carthage R-9 curriculum.
• Utilizing accepted district systems, processes, and timelines, ensure the selection of high-quality, authentic instructional materials and resources in both program languages.
• Support the integration of content, language, and literacy standards in both instruction and assessment practices.
• Provide guidance on research-based instructional strategies, scaffolding practices, and cooperative learning to support rigorous learning in Dual Language classrooms.

Staffing and Professional Development:

• Collaborate with district and building level administration and human resources to recruit and retain highly qualified bilingual teachers and staff.
• Develop and oversee a professional development plan for DL teachers, campus administrators, and support staff, focusing on best practices in bilingual education, biliteracy, and second language acquisition.
• Conduct classroom observations and provide targeted coaching support to ensure effective instruction and program fidelity.

Family and Community Engagement:

• Develop and implement a communication plan to e
• Engage all stakeholders, including marketing the benefits of the DL program to the broader community.
• Establish and lead a Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) to facilitate family engagement and gather feedback for program improvement.
• Ensure all program communications and events are culturally and linguistically inclusive, providing interpretation and translation services as needed.