Special Education Instructional Support Specialist (200 Days)

Must be SC certified or eligible for SC certification.

SPECIAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST

200-Day Position

Teacher Salary Schedule

Job Overview:

• Provide monitoring and assistance in the implementation of the district’s instructional programs for students with disabilities.
• Coordinates the efforts of schools, teachers, and parents by providing direct services to assigned schools.
• Under general or occasional supervision, performs a variety of professional, administrative, and leadership work to lead and coordinate activities in the area of Special Education Services for Chester County School District with an emphasis on providing optimal support and respectful / responsive service to school-based staff.
• The purpose of this position is to support school staff and parents to improve outcomes for students with disabilities while ensuring federal statutory and state requirements regarding procedural and instructional accountability are adhered to through various aspects of effective programming.
• Work involves providing modeling for classroom teachers, including but not limited to modeling lessons and inclusive practices.
• Employee must demonstrate knowledge on the importance of communicative competence, use of technology to access curriculum, and Universal Designs for Learning.
• Work also involves planning, developing, organizing and conducting professional development for Chester County School employees as it relates to students with disabilities. Professional development will include but not be limited to instruction in research-based methodologies, data collection, progress monitoring, and effective IEP development. Employee will assist in the recruitment and retention of highly qualified special education teachers as assigned. Employee will be involved in Chester County Schools sponsored initiatives. Work also involves serving as the local agency representative as required, and ensuring the implementation of required policies and procedures impacting students with disabilities. Employee will facilitate interagency collaboration to ensure students with multi-faceted needs have a comprehensive and cohesive support plan.
• Employee is responsible for assisting special education and general education staff in reviewing psychological reports, medical reports, curriculum based
• measurement and progress monitoring data, and achievement test results to assist in determining eligibility and placement of student with disabilities as necessary
• as well as supporting staff to plan for effective IEP development for students with disabilities. Work is guided by and must be in compliance with federal and state
• statutes and regulations. Employee must exercise considerable independent judgment and initiative in performance of assignment while demonstrating and
• engaging in advanced problem solving and conflict resolution, including but not limited to issues of least restrictive environment, resources, and special and/or
• related services

Reports To:  Executive Director of Special Services

Responsibilities:

1) Support Special Education teachers in an effort to continuously provide high quality instruction

to all students.

     a) Observe individual classrooms and schools on a regular and ongoing basis, and provide

         specific written feedback in a timely manner.

     b) Model appropriate teaching practices and provide classroom consultation in regard to the

         educational needs of students.

     c) Plan, develop, and implement staff development opportunities for special educators.

2) Assist school administrative teams in evaluating special education program effectiveness.

     a) Assist in the collection and analysis of data from state, district, and school assessments in

     planning specially designed instruction for students.

     b) Assist teachers and schools in the acquisition of appropriate curricular methods, materials, and

        equipment in support of the special education program.

3) Provide technical assistance to administrative staff, faculties, parents, and agency personnel

pertaining to all special education matter.

     a) Monitor, consult, and participate in IEP meetings, as needed.

     b) Assist in designing and developing appropriate instruction for students with disabilities.

     c) Respond to all requests in a timely manner.

4) Monitor compliance at the school level.

     a) Ensure compliance with state and federal mandates pertaining to students with disabilities.

     b) Maintain and analyze confidential student data.

     c) Maintain confidentiality and observe FERPA and HIPPA laws.

     d) Monitor student individualized education programs (IEPs) to ensure continuous, prescribed, and

         appropriate services. 

     e) Oversee implementation of Due Process procedures via student permanent records (Due

         Process files) and EasyIEP software.

5) Contribute to the continued growth of the district special education department.

     a) Attend weekly district department meetings.

     b) Create and execute a professional growth plan in a particular area of expertise.

     c) Serve on district committees or task forces as deemed appropriate by the immediate supervisor.

     d) Represent the district at conferences as directed by the immediate supervisor.

     e) Perform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the immediate supervisor.

     f) Participate as a third evaluator on ADEPT teams for teachers as needed.

Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in Special Education or a related field and at least five years of successful teaching

experience with students that have disabilities; or any equivalent combination of training and

experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Certification and highly qualified status as a teacher by the South Carolina Department of Education.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of federal and state statutes and regulations regarding provision of services to students with disabilities.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of testing and interpretation of test data.
• Considerable knowledge of the district Board policies, procedures and standards regarding special education.
• Working knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization and administration.
• General knowledge of the ethical guidelines applicable to the positions outlined by professional organizations and/or federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.
• General knowledge of the South Carolina state standards.
• Skill in providing leadership.
• Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs and make recommendations for
• improvement
• Ability to work and communicate with diverse groups and organizations.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in determining eligibility, type of services to be provided,
• and placement of students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment.
• Ability to develop and conduct presentations.
• Ability to use technology to report and complete daily job requirements.

Chester County School District does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, color,

disability, religion, or national origin in its dealings with employees, students, the general

public, applicants for employment, educational programs, activities, or access to its facilities.