Special Education Compliance Supervisor

Special Education Compliance Specialist

Reports To:

Special Education Director

Location:

Harper Woods School District (on-site and district-wide travel as required)

The Special Education Compliance Officer supports the Special Education Director by managing, monitoring, and verifying district compliance with all federal and Michigan special education requirements. This position ensures legally compliant procedures for identification, evaluation, eligibility, IEP development and implementation, procedural safeguards, discipline, data reporting, and audit readiness. The Compliance Officer partners with administrators, school teams, related service providers, general education staff, and outside agencies to ensure students with disabilities receive services in accordance with IDEA, Section 504/Title II as applicable, and Michigan Department of Education (MDE) requirements.

• - Maintain district compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and implementing regulations.
• - Ensure alignment with Michigan Department of Education (MDE) special education rules, guidance, and required processes.
• - Review district procedures and implement corrective action plans when compliance issues are identified.
• - Conduct compliance monitoring of IEP timelines, evaluation processes, eligibility documentation, and service delivery.

• - Oversee district compliance with timelines and requirements for:
• - Child find activities and referrals
• - Initial evaluations and re-evaluations
• - Eligibility determinations and documentation
• - Parent notification and procedural safeguards
• - Present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP)
• - Measurable annual goals
• - Required components (e.g., supplementary aids/services, accommodations, supports)
• - Support IEP implementation compliance by ensuring services, supports, and related services are documented and delivered as written.

• - Ensure procedural safeguards notice requirements are met and properly documented.
• - Support the Special Education Director in preparation for:
• - State/district complaint responses
• - Due process hearing activity coordination (as assigned)
• - Resolution meetings and corrective actions
• - Maintain documentation standards that are defensible during compliance reviews and disputes.
• - Track resolution timelines, required corrective action steps, and compliance verification outcomes.

• - Ensure the district follows IDEA discipline requirements for students with disabilities, including:
• - Determination of removals/placement changes
• - Manifestation review procedures (when applicable)
• - Functional behavioral assessment (FBA) and behavior intervention plan (BIP) requirements
• - Review discipline decision documentation to ensure appropriate legal basis and required team processes are present.
• - Train and provide guidance to administrators and staff to reduce non-compliance risk.

• - Ensure accurate completion and submission of required special education data/reporting to MDE and other applicable reporting systems.
• - Conduct regular internal audits of:
• - Student-level compliance artifacts (notices, timelines, IEP documents, eligibility files)
• - Data integrity and consistency across systems
• - Maintain compliance files and evidence repositories (policies, procedures, monitoring results, corrective actions).
• - Support preparation for MDE monitoring reviews, desk audits, and other compliance evaluations.

• - Provide targeted technical assistance to school teams on Michigan compliance requirements and IDEA best practices.
• - Develop and deliver staff training or updates on compliance topics, including:
• - IEP documentation requirements
• - Timelines and evaluation processes
• - Parent notice and procedural safeguards
• - Discipline compliance procedures
• - Support principals and case managers with templates, checklists, and process tools.
• - Partner with the Director to standardize district procedures across schools and programs.

• - Coordinate with finance, health services, and special education staff to support…