Special Programs Manager

Residency Requirement: 

• Must reside in Louisiana

K12, a Stride Company, believes in Education for ANY ONE. We provide families an online option for a high-quality, personalized education experience. Students can thrive, find their passion, and learn in an environment that encourages discovery at their own pace. In support of this, we are committed to creating and maintaining a culture of inclusion and diversity where our employees are passionate about serving students and families, treat one another and customers with respect, challenge each other to innovate and always strive to do better.

Passionate Educators are needed at the Stride K12 partner school, Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy (LAVCA). We want you to be a part of our talented team!

The mission of Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy (LAVCA) is to provide an exemplary individualized and engaging educational experience for students by incorporating school and community/family partnerships coupled with a rigorous curriculum along with a data-driven and student-centered instructional model. Student success will be measured by valid and reliable assessment data, parent and student satisfaction, and continued institutional growth within the academic community. Join us!

The Special Programs Manager develops and implements policies and procedures and oversees all matters related to special education for the school. The role also assists the Head of School with developing and implementing more general academic policies and procedures and with school operations.

Essential Functions, Duties and Responsibilities:  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• Develops, implements, and disseminates “best practices” for special education policies and procedures in collaboration with school leadership;
• Supports the school’s administration and teachers in providing training on and implementation of special education program and services Creates and maintains appropriate contacts with district(s), intermediate units, and state special education leaders in order to ensure continued compliance of special education programs and represent the school throughout the state in meetings and trainings related to the implementation of special education programs;
• Develops contracts with service providers to provide related services to students and supports full implementation of the related services database to track related services in order to ensure all eligible students are receiving services and that the cost of those services are reported correctly;
• Oversees the development, compliance, maintenance, and implementation of all Review of Exiting Data (RED), Multidisciplinary Evaluation and Eligibility Group Summary (MEEGS), and Individualized Education Plans (IEP);
• Ensures fiscal compliance for special programs including IDEA Part B funds and compliance with all school, local, state, and federal reporting related to special education,
• Works with the Test Coordinator to ensure that all students receive appropriate accommodations during state testing;
• Works with K12 enrollment team to develop processes for ensuring timely identification and enrollment of students with special needs;
• Proactively communicates all changes in local, state and/or federal special education practices and laws to the Head of School;
• Ensures that special education students are integrated in all school activities and that general education and special education teachers and administrative staff work collaboratively to ensure academic success for all students;
• Collects data for internal studies of special education Works directly with parents and students (both regular and special education) where necessary.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Directly supervises 5-10 Full-time Equivalent (FTE) employees and/or contractors, e.g. Related Service Coordinator, School Psychologist, and Speech Therapist, Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems

OTHER Duties & Responsibilities:  The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position.  This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities and/or duties required; other duties may be assigned. 

• Participates in the school's self-evaluation programs

Minimum Required Qualifications:   

• Bachelor's degree AND
• Three (3) years of special education teaching experience OR
• Equivalent combination of education and experience

Certificates and Licenses:

• Special Education Teacher Certification AND
• Early Childhood OR Elementary Education OR Middle or Secondary Education in Math OR Science OR Language Arts Teacher Certification

OTHER REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Project management experience
• Strong interpersonal skills with both in-person and electronic communication platforms and a customer service orientation
• Able to read data and determine what steps are needed to assist students academically and behaviorally, as a whole and on an individual basis
• Able to apply adult instructional methods in the training and development of staff
• Communicates effectively both orally and in writing
• Demonstrates the use of good judgment in decision-making
• Understanding of applicable sections of the State Education Code and other pertinent regulations
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time to school office to review files, work with office staff, attend meetings, and the like if not office based.
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time within and between assigned geographic areas to support students; proctor assessments, provide and attend professional development meetings and participate in school activities, open houses, orientations, and face-to-face enrollment meetings
• Willingness and ability to obtain additional licensing as required
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook as well as Internet research methods and report writing techniques; Utilizes computer software associated with curriculum and special education
• Ability to pass required background check

Desired Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree
• Supervisory certificate
• English as Second Language (ESL) certification and/or Reading or Math specialist endorsement
• Three (3) years of special education administration experience

Work Environment:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This is a home-based position.