Director of Special Education Instruction and Effectiveness

Director of Special Education Instruction and Effectiveness

Job Title: Director of Special Education Instruction and Effectiveness
Location: 910 W. Van Buren St., Chicago, IL
Reports To: Executive Director of Academics
Salary: Starting at $110,000, commensurate with experience
Employee Type: Regular Full Time
Start Date: June 2026

Distinctive Schools creates diverse, joyful, welcoming communities rooted in social justice and rigorous learning. We support all learners to be engaged, curious, and to achieve their full potential. Our students become confident advocates, creative problem-solvers, and collaborative leaders.

The Director of Special Education Instruction and Effectiveness plays a critical, senior leadership role in the organization's efforts to ensure equitable, high-quality instruction and outcomes for all students with disabilities. This position provides strategic oversight, guidance, and executive leadership to special education instructional teams, driving the implementation of inclusive, compliant, and highly impactful special education practices across all schools and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and instructional excellence.

Strategic Leadership and Compliance:

Develop and oversee the execution of strategic plans that advance inclusive education and instructional equity for students with disabilities district wide.

Monitor special education compliance data and ensure instructional teams and schools support meeting legal and policy requirements under IDEA, ADA, and organizational policy.

Lead data-driven accountability cycles to improve the quality of instruction, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), service delivery, and student outcomes.

Support and lead responses to audits, investigations, and improvement plans related to compliance and instruction.

Instructional Excellence and Support:

Champion high-quality, research-based special education instruction through professional development, modeling, coaching, and knowledge dissemination across the organization.

Ensure instructional support staff effectively guide schools in implementing Universal Design for Learning (UDL), differentiated instruction, and culturally responsive pedagogy.

Promote and ensure fidelity in the implementation of individualized education programs (IEPs) and instructional interventions.

Team Development:

Directly lead and supervise special education instructional support staff across the network, ensuring consistency, quality, and equity in service delivery.

Manage the development of campus and network-based staff through clear goal-setting, high-impact professional development, and direct coaching cycles (including observations, co-planning, and modeling).

Embody expertise in leadership development, specifically coaching directors, managers, and school leaders toward excellence in special education oversight.

Provide strategic guidance to teachers, paraprofessionals, and related service providers to ensure a high standard of both instruction and compliance.

Partner with campus leaders to guide paraprofessional evaluations and ensure effective supervision structures are in place.

Collaboration and Community Engagement:

Align special education instructional efforts with broader network instructional and behavioral initiatives, ensuring cohesion and cross-departmental collaboration.

Build systems to promote authentic, culturally responsive engagement of families and communities in the special education process.

Partner with advocacy organizations and community stakeholders to foster inclusive, collaborative practices.

Collaborate with other departments to support systemic alignment and innovation.

Lead or participate in district wide initiatives, pilot programs, and special projects that enhance support for students with disabilities.

Data-Driven Decision Making:

Utilize data and research to inform decision-making, identify trends, and proactively address challenges in special education instructional practices.

Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action Program & Curriculum Development

Design and oversee special education programs implementation to…