Director of Student Services and Special Education

Director of Student Services & Special Education Position Type: Full Time, 12-Month Reports To: School Director / Principal Supervises: Special education staff; related service providers Director of Student Services, Special Education & Multilingual Learners (MLL) Position Summary The Director of Student Services, Special Education & Multilingual Learners (MLL) serves as the school’s senior leader for special education, multilingual learner programming, and student support systems. This role ensures full compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), federal and state requirements for Multilingual Learners, and Section 504, while strengthening coordination of MTSS, related services, and student support structures. The position retains full authority over special education programming and compliance and expands leadership capacity to ensure high-quality, compliant MLL programming and integrated student services systems that align with academic, language development, social-emotional, and regulatory success. This includes oversight of Medicaid-eligible service documentation and reporting related to special education and Section 504 services. This role is essential to maintaining regulatory compliance, ensuring high-quality service delivery, and supporting a coordinated, data-informed approach to student supports across special education, MLL, and MTSS systems. Authority & Decision-Making The Director of Student Services, Special Education & Multilingual Learners (MLL) has delegated authority over special education, MLL, and student services compliance decisions, including IEP determinations, service delivery coordination, manifestation determinations, language program compliance, and procedural safeguards, in alignment with state and federal law and under the supervision of the School Director / Principal. Core Responsibilities I. Special Education Leadership & IDEA Compliance (Primary) • Serve as the Local Education Agency (LEA) representative for special education • Ensure compliance with IDEA, RIDE regulations, and all procedural safeguards • Oversee IEP development, implementation, timelines, eligibility determinations, and manifestation determinations • Supervise, evaluate, and provide performance feedback to special education staff • Coordinate and oversee related service providers to ensure compliance with service delivery requirements • Ensure accurate, timely submission of all required special education reports and data • Prepare for and participate in RIDE monitoring, corrective action processes, and special education audits II. Multilingual Learner (MLL) Program Oversight • Oversee the implementation and compliance of the school’s Multilingual Learner (MLL) program in alignment with federal and state requirements • Ensure proper identification, screening, placement, and reclassification procedures, including WIDA ACCESS and related assessments • Monitor and support the development and implementation of language acquisition plans and instructional supports for MLL students • Collaborate with instructional leadership to ensure integration of language development within core instruction • Ensure compliance with documentation, family notification requirements, and language access obligations • Supervise and support MLL staff (if applicable) and provide guidance to teachers serving MLL students • Analyze MLL student data to inform program improvements and instructional supports III. Section 504 Coordination • Oversee the development, implementation, and monitoring of Section 504 plans • Ensure staff understanding and consistent implementation of required accommodations • Maintain compliance documentation and procedural safeguards related to Section 504 IV. MTSS & Tiered Student Supports • Provide leadership for Tier II and Tier III intervention systems across academic, behavioral, and language development domains • Align special education, MLL services, and MTSS structures to ensure a cohesive, multi-tiered system of support • Collaborate with interventionists and instructional leadership on progress monitoring and data review across all student groups • Support data-informed decision-making related to student supports, referrals, eligibility, and language acquisition needs V. Student Services Systems Coordination • Coordinate student support services, including social work, behavioral supports, and MLL-related supports (non-clinical) • Collaborate with administration on attendance intervention planning and monitoring, with attention to MLL populations • Oversee behavior escalation and documentation processes from a systems and compliance perspective • Participate in crisis response planning related to student services and support systems VI. Related Services Oversight (Non-Fiscal) • Coordinate scheduling and delivery of related services • Monitor service minutes, caseloads, and provider assignments for compliance • Serve as liaison with contracted service providers regarding service delivery expectations and documentation requirements VII. Medicaid Documentation & Reporting (Special Education–Related) • Ensure accurate documentation of Medicaid-eligible services delivered under IEPs and Section 504 plans, as applicable • Oversee compliance with Medicaid requirements related to service logs, provider credentials, and alignment with IEPs • Collaborate with administrative and business staff to support timely and accurate Medicaid reporting and claiming • Maintain audit-ready documentation and support Medicaid monitoring or review processes • Ensure staff and providers understand documentation expectations related to Medicaid-eligible services Note: This role is responsible for oversight and compliance of Medicaid documentation and reporting related to special education and Section 504 services. It does not manage billing, reimbursement receipt, or financial accounting. Position Scope & Scheduling This is a full-time, 12-month position. Scope of work, scheduling, and availability expectations will be aligned to the approved FTE level while maintaining full compliance with IDEA timelines, MLL requirements, procedural safeguards, and reporting obligations. Required Qualifications • Master’s degree in Special Education • Rhode Island certification or eligibility as Director of Special Education • Demonstrated experience with IDEA compliance and IEP leadership • Demonstrated experience or knowledge of MLL program requirements and compliance • Strong organizational, compliance, and collaborative leadership skills Preferred Qualifications • Experience with MTSS and Section 504 coordination • Experience with MLL programming, WIDA assessments, and language acquisition frameworks • Experience with Medicaid documentation or compliance related to special education services • Experience in a charter school or similar educational setting Evaluation & Accountability The Director of Student Services, Special Education & Multilingual Learners (MLL) will be evaluated annually by the School Director / Principal based on, but not limited to: • IDEA, MLL, and Section 504 compliance • Effectiveness of MTSS coordination and integrated student services systems • Accuracy and timeliness of required special education, MLL, and Medicaid-related reporting • Quality of supervision, collaboration, and documentation practices • Readiness for audits, monitoring visits, and compliance reviews