Director of Special Education

Position Summary: The Director of Special Education is responsible for ensuring that the school's special education program complies with all federal and Pennsylvania state special education laws and regulations. This position oversees the development, review, and implementation of special education processes, coordinates services for students with disabilities, supports staff, and serves as the school's primary compliance resource for special education programming.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Compliance and Documentation

• Review and finalize all special education documentation to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, including:

• Evaluation Reports (ER)

• Reevaluation Reports (RR)

• Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

• Permission to Evaluate (PTE)

• Permission to Reevaluate (PTRE)

• Notices of Recommended Educational Placement (NOREP)

• Conduct regular audits of student files and provide guidance to staff regarding required corrections.

• Prepare documentation and coordinate all activities related to special education audits.

• Communicate with the Pennsylvania Department of Education regarding compliance matters as needed.

• Assist in legal matters involving special education, including due process proceedings and litigation support.

Student Evaluation and Service Coordination

• Collaborate with school psychologists, Student Assistance Program (SAP) teams, and instructional staff to identify students who require evaluations or reevaluations.

• Coordinate evaluation timelines to ensure regulatory compliance.

• Organize annual and triennial special education timelines, including:

• IEP meetings

• Evaluations

• Reevaluations

• Progress reporting deadlines

• Coordinate scheduling and caseload assignments for special education teachers to ensure delivery of services outlined in each student's IEP.

• Coordinate testing accommodations for students receiving special education services.

• Work collaboratively with administration to secure outside service providers, including Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT), Speech and Language services, Approved Private Schools (APS), and other related services.

Family and Team Collaboration

• Assist with the preparation and review of correspondence to families regarding special education services.

• Attend IEP meetings or collaborate with designated team members to ensure procedural compliance and appropriate educational decision-making.

• Serve as a resource to administrators, teachers, and support staff regarding special education regulations and best practices.

Professional Leadership

• Participate in ongoing professional development related to special education law and compliance.

• Share updates, training, and regulatory changes with special education staff, classroom teachers, and administrators.

• Promote consistent implementation of special education procedures throughout the school.

Qualifications

• Pennsylvania certification in Special Education or related educational field.

• Knowledge of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504, FERPA, and Pennsylvania Chapter 14 regulations.

• Experience developing, reviewing, and implementing compliant special education documentation.

• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with educators, families, administrators, and outside agencies.

• Experience coordinating special education compliance activities preferred.

• Three or more years of supervisory experience preferred.

• Ability to manage multiple timelines and maintain compliance deadlines.

• Ability to analyze documentation for legal and procedural compliance.

• Demonstrated leadership and collaborative team-building skills.

• High level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.

Pay: $75,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)

• Dental insurance

• Employee assistance program

• Flexible spending account

• Health insurance

• Paid time off

• Professional development assistance

• Tuition reimbursement

• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person