Assistant Director of Special Education (SY 2025-2026)

Community Day Charter Public School (CDCPS) seeks a passionate Assistant Director of Special Education with outstanding academic backgrounds to work with our school teams, renowned for closing the achievement gap. CDCPS manages multiple campuses across Lawrence, MA, and serves 1,200 pre-kindergarten to 8th-grade students. We believe in providing our students with a rigorous student-centered academic program while investing in their social, emotional, and holistic well-being. CDCPS has dedicated teams to support our teachers, ensuring our students' success.

Role Summary

The Assistant Director of Special Education provides leadership and oversight for the school's special education programs, ensuring compliance with state regulations, effective case management, and high-quality instructional support. This is a full time year round position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (including but not limited to the following):

Program & Instructional Leadership

• Collaborate with the Director of Special Education, Director of Early Learning, Director of Academics, and Heads of Schools to ensure high-quality special education programming across CDCPS.
• Consult with and support classroom staff in implementing accommodations and instructional strategies in general education and testing environments.
• Conduct classroom observations of students and staff and provide actionable feedback to strengthen instructional practices.
• Foster a culture of inclusion, belonging, and high expectations for all students, staff, and families.
  
  

Compliance

• Collaborate with the Director of Special Education to manage all compliance components in accordance with MA DESE regulations and federal/state special education laws.
• Review student files and ensure documentation is complete and compliant.
• Oversee IEP progress reporting, including ensuring translation needs are identified and coordinated with Operations Managers.
• Maintain all IEP and 504 records at the Special Education Office and ensure timely adherence to all IEP related timelines.
• Manage and update all eSped records, including: Writing and updating IEP goals, objectives, and sections, Creating future IEPs, Updating language status and annual academic calendar; Entering new student records and archiving inactive or prior IEP/504 documents.
• Coordinate with the Data Analyst to complete required DESE metrics, Indicator reporting, annual self-evaluations, and Tiered Focus Monitoring submissions.
• Compile and submit Special Education data to the Data Analyst at least three times per year.
  
  

Case Management

• Review all initial and amended IEP drafts and provide timely, constructive feedback.
• Support staff with preparation and facilitation of IEP meetings, including writing IEPs, communicating with families, and maintaining documentation in eSped.
• Update staff caseloads throughout the year to ensure accuracy for planning and scheduling.
• Conduct student observations or testing as needed and attend IEP meetings in emergency situations.
• Communicate with sending and receiving districts to obtain or transfer student records and coordinate off-site file storage.
• Ensure timely submission of MassHealth/Medicaid billing in partnership with the Special Education administrative assistant.
  
  

Hiring & Staff Development

• Assist the Director of Special Education and Heads of Schools in recruiting and hiring special education staff, including reviewing resumes, conducting phone screens, coordinating demonstration lessons, and observing candidates; Communicate with candidates throughout the hiring process.
• Support, coach, and evaluate Special Education staff across all campuses, including Special Education Teachers, Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, School Psychologists, Guidance Counselors, and other support roles.
• Collaborate with Heads of Schools to support onsite special education staff.
• Manage a designated coaching and evaluation caseload as assigned.
• Respond to staff communication in a timely manner; review and approve time-off requests and mileage reimbursements in Paycom.
• Support new Special Education Teachers by modeling IEP meetings, observing practice, and providing targeted feedback.
• Develop and facilitate professional development related to special education laws, practices, and instructional strategies.
• Coordinate monthly meetings for 1st- and 2nd-year Special Education staff in partnership with the Director of Special Education and Special Education Coach.
• Monitor implementation of accommodations and provide coaching to improve fidelity in classroom settings.
  
  

Family & Community Engagement

• Serve as the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) Liaison, attend monthly meetings, and ensure regular communication with families.
• Coordinate with Operations and the Special Education Fellow to post PAC agendas and create family-facing materials.
• Support planning of schoolwide events such as Homework Night, Summer Opportunities Fair, and annual fundraisers.
• Attend two Open Houses annually (fall and mid-year).
  
  

Qualifications

• A passionate belief in the CDCPS mission, values, and educational model
• Master's degree preferred; Bachelor's degree required
• MA DESE Moderate Disabilities PreK-8 license required
• MA DESE Special Education Administrator license preferred
• Demonstrated experience managing or participating extensively in Special Education evaluations
• Ability to write compliant, high-quality IEPs and lead IEP team meetings effectively
• Proven ability to set ambitious goals, lead by example, and build positive school culture
• Ability to work onsite Monday-Friday and travel between school campuses
• Strong collaborative skills, problem-solving abilities, and commitment to continuous improvement
• Experience supervising and evaluating staff
• Deep understanding of standards-based instruction, assessment, and the use of data to inform high-quality special education practices
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Community Day Charter Public School participates in the E-Verify program to determine the immigration and work-eligibility status of prospective employees. Please refer to the Notice of E-Verify Participation and the Right to Work documents for more information.
• Community Day Charter Public School is affiliated with The Community Group (TCG), a private, nonprofit organization that has been creating opportunities through education since 1970. TCG manages various programs, including a network of early childhood and out-of-school time programs, a K1-8 charter public school, training programs, and a child care resource and referral program, Child Care Circuit.
• The Community Group is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing, and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state or local law. In addition, we are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment and where employees are treated with respect and dignity.