Job Description

Join to apply for the Director of Special Education role at KIPP Columbus

Company Description

KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of free, open enrollment, college preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and life. There are 255 KIPP schools across the nation and the District of Columbia, serving more than 100,000 students. Nationally, KIPP students are graduating at 3x the national average for low-income students.

Founded in 2008 with 50 students in 5th grade, KIPP Columbus currently serves nearly 2,000 students in grades Kindergarten through twelfth. During the 2018-2019 school year, and for the third year in a row, KIPP Columbus had the highest amount of academic growth of any community school in Ohio.

The mission of KIPP Columbus is to create a system of schools where students develop the intellectual, academic, and social skills needed to understand and take action on issues they encounter in everyday life. By establishing a rigorous, safe, and personalized learning environment, KIPP Columbus will foster a culture of responsibility and service and empower all students to become active and engaged citizens. Our vision is to ensure that all students in our community will have access to a transformational education that empowers them with the knowledge, skills, and character necessary for success in college and life.

Job Description

The Director of Special Education leads and improves special education programming by overseeing the full continuum of services, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local requirements, and promoting delivery in the least restrictive environment. The role also manages compliance reporting, facilitates stakeholder collaboration, provides performance data, and builds staff capacity through professional development, targeted feedback, and leadership in IEP, ETR, and disciplinary processes. The Director of Special Education reports to the Senior Director of Student Services. The role provides coaching, feedback, and performance input for Behavioral Assistants, Paraprofessionals and Intervention Specialists in partnership with School Leaders. The position collaborates closely with the Director of Diverse Learning to ensure, among other priorities, coherent MTSS and Section 504 practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Directs the delivery and continuous improvement of special education programming.
• Directs the implementation of the internal monitoring system, tracks participation & ensures implementation with fidelity.
• Keeps current with the K-12 courses of study, scope and sequence framework, and state standards/guidelines.
• Complies with state model policies and procedures for the education of students identified as having a disability.
• Serves as a liaison and information resource for special education.
• Coordinates placement procedures and ensures that services are provided in the least restrictive educational environment.
• Provides coaching and high-leverage feedback to staff supporting students with disabilities.
• Helps teachers and administrators with discipline and pupil management issues.
• Participates in staff selection, orientation, and evaluation processes as directed.
• Expresses high expectations and monitors staff performance & collaborates with administrators to improve staff competencies.
• Completes staff evaluations as requested.
• Designs and delivers professional learning for Paraprofessionals, Behavior Assistants, and Intervention Specialists, aligned with regional priorities and in coordination with School Leaders.
• Conducts regular classroom observations—particularly in Specialized Learning Classrooms—to provide real-time coaching and model best practices.
• Creates differentiated, ongoing professional development for special education team members.
• Ensures compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and related state regulations; monitors the accuracy and timeliness of IEPs, evaluations, and related documentation.
• Assist with tracking and monitoring required submissions to Fordham or EpiCenter on behalf of the Student Services Department.
• Collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that all records are effectively maintained and that timelines are consistently met as outlined in federal, state and local requirements.
• Facilitate regular meetings with intervention specialists, related service providers and coaches to ensure students are making progress towards academic goals.
• Serve as a district representative for IEP and ETR meetings & Manifestation Determination Reviews.
• Coordinates Home Instruction caseload, assigns courses in Edmentum & oversees home instruction intervention specialist.
• Leads the SPED record request and fulfillment process & the document transfer process, including adoption, rejection and amendments.
• Manages master SPED roster and ensures caseloads are assigned in accordance with Ohio’s Operating Standards.

Qualifications

• Masters degree from an accredited college/university or a combination of education and experience commensurate with the job description.
• Special Education certification/licensure or comparable experience and education.
• Previous experience in Special Education grade-band or district role preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of successful, full-time, lead teaching experience in low-income communities.
• Experience in analyzing student data and using data to inform instruction.
• Experience with and strong knowledge of local, state, and federal Special Education laws and Ohio's Operating Standards.
• Strong record of helping all students achieve academic success.
• Understanding of MTSS/RTI programs and experience in implementing these programs in schools.
• Belief that outstanding school leaders, staff, and teachers can achieve excellent outcomes for all students.
• Ability to persevere with a sense of optimism, strong problem solving skills, and desire to learn and grow in a collaborative professional learning community.
• Willingness, and commitment, to go above and beyond to prove the possible with students.
• Ability to multi-task and work within an ambiguous, fast-moving, start-up environment, while driving toward clarity and solutions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Extreme flexibility, with a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate high levels of responsibility and multiple priorities.
• Model the values of KIPP Columbus (Imagine, Navigate, Seek, Persevere, Integrity, Responsibility, and Empathy).

Compensation and Benefits

KIPP Columbus offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefit plan including medical and dental insurance, as well as group term life insurance, retirement plan and paid time off.

KIPP Columbus is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying to the school for consideration of any position (admission, employment, etc.). KIPP Columbus does not discriminate on the basis of disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in Section 4112.02 of the Ohio Revised Code.

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