Elementary Special Education Team Leader (ETL)

Job Title: Elementary Special Education Team Leader (ETL)

Responsible to:  Assistant Superintendent of Student Services

Evaluated By: Assistant Superintendent of Student Services and Building Principal

Primary Functions:  Coordinate all aspects of special education programming effectively within assigned schools and share a broader district vision for special education services.  *Building(s) / School(s) to be determined*

Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Licensed as a Special Education Administrator, or credentials to satisfy certification requirements for the State of Massachusetts. 
• Successful experience as a special educator or related service provider including chairing of meetings, performing cognitive, achievement, and  transition assessments using a variety of standardized protocols.
• Comprehensive knowledge of state and federal regulations for special education.
• Comprehensive knowledge of regulations and procedures stipulated in the American Disabilities Act (ADA) with emphasis on Section 504.
• Knowledge of community agencies serving students with disabilities.
• Ability to oversee, support and evaluate a continuum of special education programs and services designed to meet the requirements set forth by federal and state legislation for educating students with disabilities. 
• Superior organizational and interpersonal skills; strong ability to work collaboratively with administrators, colleagues, parents/guardians, and others in the delivery of effective services and the resolution of problems.
• Successful completion of QBS/SafetyCare training preferred.

Major Responsibilities:

1.0  Oversight and Coordination of Special Education Programs and Services 

2.0  Pre-referral and Evaluation

3.0  Supervision and Evaluation of Staff

4.0  Professional Expectations

5.0  Other

Details:

Oversight and  Coordination of Special Education Programs and Services

• Provide direct oversight and supervision of building-based special education programs, early childhood through Grade 5; model high-caliber instructional  practices.
• Provide direct oversight and support of the development  of building-based special education programs, including program components, staffing, and curriculum
• Provide consultation and leadership regarding disciplinary matters and other emergency situations.  
• Collaborate with professional staff regarding their specific special education responsibilities.  Provide consultation and support related to programs, staff, and/or student concerns. 
• Ensure regulatory compliance for all DESE monitoring, maintain building-based students records, review all IEPs. 
• For students with identified disabilities, participate and support in required procedures for MCAS administration..
• Participate and support in required administrative procedures related to the enrollment and placement of special education students.
• Collaborate with principals and/or data managers to develop individual schedules to ensure compliance and most effective instruction for students with disabilities. 
• Coordinate co-teaching models to provide inclusive experiences for students with disabilities in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).
• Participate in the chairing and development of Individual Education Programs (IEPs) for identified students. 
• For students with identified disabilities requiring extended school year services, support the planning and implementation of summer programming including staffing and program design. 

Pre-referral and Evaluation

• Provide consultation and support to school teams when specific areas of expertise are required. 
• Facilitate referrals and chairs IEP meetings for special education, including but not limited to evaluations, re-evaluations, and independent evaluations.
• Participate in building-based Student Assistant Team (SAT) activities, support regulatory pre-referral activities by suggesting accommodations and interventions to classroom teachers.
• Provide consultation/support for building-based specialists and clinicians related to program, staff, or student concerns. 

Supervision and Evaluation of Staff

• In formal and informal settings, assist professional staff with learning, behavioral, familial and social issues impacting student achievement.  
• In partnership with building principals and other administrators , participate in the interviewing and hiring of special education faculty and staff. 
• In partnership with building principals and other administrators, participate in assigning paraprofessional roles and positions, annually, as required.
• In partnership with building principals and other administrators, provide feedback and implement evaluation procedures for paraprofessionals and professional staff as required.  
• Supervise professional staff completing assessments and writing reports.  Provide on-going feedback regarding scoring, interpreting and reporting results.

• Refer students and families to appropriate outside agencies for support.

Professional Expectations

• Spend majority of time directly within assigned schools; travel between buildings as needed.
• Participate in special education leadership meetings as scheduled.
• Collaborate with school principals, the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, and the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum to plan and implement district-wide professional development activities. 
• Plan and coordinate professional development activities for the special education department that complement district-wide  strategic objectives. 
• Support principals and other professional staff regarding disciplinary practices, child abuse and neglect, gender identity issues, legal and physical custody, discrimination and harassment protections, and confidentiality.
• Ensures implementation of administrative procedures related to the maintenance and security of special education student records. 
• Participate in and complete all mandated DESE monitoring and reporting activities as required. 
• Support staff in completing Medicaid data collection and submission as required. Facilitate annual training as needed.

• Manage and maintain assessment materials for professional special education staff.  Coordinate annual ordering process.
• Support Dedham Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) activities as requested.
• Occasional night work required; attendance at School Committee meetings when required by the Superintendent. 

 Other

• Carries out any other appropriate responsibilities assigned by Director of Special Education and/or Building Principal

May 2023