Director of Special Education Specialized Programs and Behavioral Supports

The Director of Special Education Specialized Programs and Behavioral Supports advances the mission of KIPP Texas by leading the implementation, alignment, and continuous improvement of specialized instructional environments and behavioral support systems for students with the most significant academic, behavioral, and adaptive needs. This position ensures that specialized programs and behavioral supports are delivered with fidelity, meet all local, state, and federal requirements, and are grounded in high-quality, evidence-based instruction and intervention.

This role provides strategic leadership for the implementation and evaluation of specialized special education programs across KIPP Texas - including GAIN, SEAS, SLC, ECSE, and other self-contained environments - and oversees service delivery, instructional quality, staffing supports, behavioral systems, and program effectiveness. The Director also leads network-wide systems for Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), behavioral consultation, crisis response, and mental health collaboration, and partners closely with the Director of Special Education Academics to ensure curriculum, instructional practices, accommodations, and progress monitoring are implemented consistently across specialized settings.

Lead the implementation of the Special Education Strategic Plan across specialized programs and behavioral supports, setting clear performance targets aligned to organizational priorities.

Use student achievement, functional performance, behavioral, and implementation data to drive decision-making, develop targeted action plans, and monitor progress toward organizational and departmental goals.

Drive continuous improvement in instructional quality, behavioral systems, and service delivery through collaborative problem-solving and regular reporting to leadership.

Coach and develop SPED Specialists supporting specialized programs, SPED Behavioral Supports Specialists, and the Lead Professional Counselor (LPC).

Monitor academic, functional, social-emotional, and behavioral outcomes across specialized settings; provide targeted feedback and support to strengthen implementation and improve student results.

Support staffing decisions and resource allocation - including program materials, instructional resources, and budget - to ensure specialized classrooms and behavioral systems are appropriately resourced.

Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of specialized instructional programs, including GAIN, SEAS, SLC, ECSE, and other self-contained settings, ensuring instructional practices align with IEPs, grade-level standards, and functional skill development.

Establish and monitor quality standards for specialized classrooms across the network; support implementation of curriculum and instructional resources within specialized settings.

Oversee Extended School Year (ESY) planning and implementation.

Lead the network-wide implementation of FBAs and BIPs; develop systems to ensure high-quality behavioral evaluations, intervention planning, and fidelity monitoring across campuses.

Establish behavioral data systems to track trends, outcomes, and intervention effectiveness; provide consultation and coaching to campus teams on complex student behavioral needs.

Oversee staff training in de-escalation strategies, positive behavioral supports, and crisis prevention.

Demonstrate deep knowledge of IDEA, Texas Special Education Law and Regulations, Section 504, Dyslexia requirements, FBAs, BIPs, and evidence-based behavioral systems; ensure all programs and supports are implemented with fidelity and remain fully compliant.

Partner with Compliance and Accountability teams to support audits, monitoring activities, corrective actions, and required reporting.

Design and deliver professional development for specialized program teachers, behavioral specialists, and campus leaders; provide ongoing coaching and technical assistance to improve instructional quality and behavioral implementation fidelity.

Build campus capacity to effectively support students requiring intensive academic and behavioral interventions.

Collaborate with principals, regional leaders, and student support teams to align instructional goals, behavioral systems, services, and resources; coordinate with related service providers and external partners to ensure seamless service delivery.

Partner with the Lead Professional Counselor to ensure effective mental health consultation, risk assessment protocols, and crisis response systems.

Partner with families and internal stakeholders to strengthen understanding of specialized instructional and behavioral support models; promote cle