Director of Special Education

Director of Special Education

Department of Instruction

In Albemarle County Public Schools, we work together as a team to end the predictive value of race, class, gender, and special capacities for our children’s success through high-quality teaching and learning for all. We seek to build relationships with families and communities to ensure that every student succeeds. We will know every student! 

The Director of Special Education serves as a member of Albemarle County Public School's Leadership Team. This role provides leadership, management, supervision, evaluation, coordination, and direction of all special education programs and services for students with disabilities aged 2 to 21.

Essential Functions:

• Provides leadership in reviewing existing programs and developing improved understanding of these programs/services;
• Assists principals and teachers in meeting local, state and national compliance requirements for these programs and services;
• Recommends policies, regulations and procedures essential for these programs and services;
• Develops and maintains the Special Education Policy and Procedures Manual;
• Develops and maintains the Section 504 / ADA Policy and Procedures Manual;
• Functions as the Section 504 Division Level Coordinator;
• Supervises compliance with reviews of Individual Education Plans and assists principals and teachers with implementation and evaluation of these programs;
• Assists in selection of materials used in these programs;
• Assists principals with the selection and evaluation of special education teachers upon request;
• Monitors current programs for operational effectiveness and adjusts as necessary;
• Participates in special consultations and case conferences with school division staff;
• Maintains liaison with community mental health clinics, special schools/services and other resources offering therapeutic services;
• Monitors the student record system used throughout division to ensure appropriate information is kept current;
• Directs all data collection, data management, and production of Special Education Reports;
• Uses appropriate student database management systems, spreadsheets, and statistical analysis packages for collection and analysis of data and the analysis of academic performance of students who require special education services;
• Uses a continuous improvement model to monitor the effectiveness of special education programming and provide guidance to Superintendent Cabinet on necessary programmatic changes and expectations to ensure increased student achievement and social-emotional learning for students receiving special education;
• Communicates effectively with staff, principals, senior leadership, parents, agencies, facilities, districts, and the Virginia Department of Education;
• Provides updates to the ACPS School Board as requested;
• Supports and engages with the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC);
• Supervises the planning, implementation, and evaluation of Extended School Year (ESY);
• Allocates and assigns equitable FTE distribution for special education programs in all district schools and for the Office of Special Education;
• Supervises, evaluates, and leads a team of central office certified and classified staff to support effective implementation of special education programming;
• Supervises all activities related to Medicaid claiming and reimbursement, including annual trainings, budgeting, billing, and cost reconciliation;
• Participates in organization teamwork concept;
• Performs other tasks as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Comprehensive knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations and procedures related to special education (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act; exhibits strong leadership attitude in support of school division goals; demonstrated ability to write clear and concise reports; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school division personnel; demonstrated conceptual skills and problem solving capabilities; ability to present highly complex and technical information in a clear and meaningful way to a wide variety of audiences in a style that is at once decisive and direct as well as collegial and approachable; high level of energy; and enthusiastic commitment to student learning.

Education and Experience:

Master’s degree in appropriate area of study and a minimum of 5 years of professional and successful experience in a position responsible for Division-wide administration is required. Must hold or be eligible for license in special education or related services; must hold or be eligible for endorsement in administration and supervision. Thorough knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations, and requirements related to special education.