Multi-Tiered System of Supports​/Section Support Specialist

Summary

Works in an instructional support capacity to provide professional learning, technical guidance and best practice resources and materials in the area of Section 504, Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and Student Support Team (SST); serves as the primary contact for Section 504, MTSS, and SST (Student Support Team), and functions as the school liaison between General Education, Psychological Services and Special Education for compliance and due process issues related to students suspected of having impairments or disabilities under IDEA or Section 504.

Chairs Section 504 meetings and ensures compliance with referral eligibility, annual reviews of 504 plans and triennial redetermination of 504 eligibility. Schedules and facilitates 504 meetings upon parental or school requests to address areas of concern and/or to review any new diagnostic information received. Disseminates existing 504 plans to teachers at the beginning of the school year and during transition points of teachers (e.g., semester change, and from school to school for 5th to 6th and 8th to 9th grade transitions).

Maintains pyramid of intervention for the school that details a menu of interventions provided for each tier and each academic area (e.g., literacy, math); creates unique and individualized interventions for students when needed. Trains all school staff on expectations surrounding Section 504 plan eligibility and accommodation/plan development. Ensures appropriate personnel are invited to attend Section 504 meetings (e.g., teachers, administrators, school nurse, school psychologist, school counselor).

Collaborates closely with Instructional Support Teacher to assess the need for referral to Services for Exceptional Children for 504 students. Provides training and support for 504 software to monitor 504 eligible students and manage required documentation (teacher input forms). Supports and monitors the school’s implementation of a MTSS model for increasing student achievement including academics, behavior, and wellbeing. Utilizes understanding of how to select and analyze data related to individual students, groups of students and classrooms to positively impact achievement, behavior, and wellbeing.

Provides training/support on effective use of school-based intervention teams, including collaboration, communication, and cohesion across various team members. Provides training and ongoing support for data systems that provide critical student achievement data and information. Meets with teachers individually or in grade-level teams to help interpret data, determine intervention efficacy and plan next steps of support. Models and assists teachers in the use of data to place students in intervention groups and define focus of instruction for each group;

models intervention for teacher. Plans, schedules and leads MTSS and Student Support Team (SST) meetings in coordination with the principal, support staff, parents, and instructional staff. Assists with the monitoring of Reading and Math instruction to ensure the use of sound teaching practices consisting of evidence-based instructional practices which are implemented with fidelity. Provides training and support related to MTSS software tools (universal screener, progress monitoring, system data tools).

Leads SST team to facilitate eligibility for special education when needed. Ensures that the MTSS/SST adheres to legal requirements in order to protect the legal integrity of the system and students. Plans and delivers ongoing staff development for teachers and paraprofessionals with respect to MTSS. Maintains records and ensures compliance with federal, state and local guidelines and reporting requirements. Facilitates Tier I cross-disciplinary team to review, assess, and plan to improve student outcomes.

Monitors Tier I data and outcomes for academics, behavior, and well-being. Consults and complies with District leadership on the implementation of MTSS and 504 processes to ensure fidelity. Serves on other District and school teams such as attendance improvement team, dropout prevention team, PBIS team, etc. Supports instructional staff’s engagement in…