Education Program Development Specialist III

Education Program Development Specialist III

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) seeks to create a world-class educational system that gives students the knowledge and skills to be successful in college and in the workforce, and to flourish as parents and citizens. The Education Program Development Specialist III will serve on behalf of the Mississippi Department of Education's (MDE) Office of Special Education (OSE), supporting local education agencies (LEAs) and schools in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of high-quality, instructionally aligned Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

This position works closely with teachers, administrators, special education leaders, and related service providers to ensure IEPs are data-informed, legally compliant, and designed to deliver meaningful educational outcomes for students with disabilities.

The IEP Specialist will support efforts to improve academic achievement for students with disabilities by promoting the effective use of accommodations and modifications and ensuring consistent, compliant implementation of IEPs across LEAs. The Specialist will also collaborate with MDE offices, LEAs, and statewide stakeholders to maintain alignment with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Mississippi state requirements.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Support and deliver statewide training initiatives focused on high-quality IEP development, specially designed instruction, accommodations and modifications, and implementation fidelity, and will assist in developing and disseminating guidance documents, tools, and instructional resources.
• Provides technical assistance and guidance to LEAs, schools, and educators to strengthen measurable academic IEP goals, appropriate and effective use of accommodations and modifications, instructional practices aligned to IEP requirements, and progress monitoring and data-based decision-making.
• Conduct education benefit reviews to ensure IEPs are reasonably calculated to enable student progress.
• Collaborate with educators, administrators, and other stakeholders to identify areas of need and ensure appropriate levels of Technical Assistance (TA) are provided.
• Collaborates across MDE offices to ensure alignment of policies and practices affecting IEP development and implementation.
• Design and deliver professional development, training sessions, and coaching to build capacity in best practices.
• Collect and analyze data to measure the effectiveness of TA strategies and make necessary adjustments.
• Serve as a liaison between state agencies, school districts, and community partners to promote best practices in technical assistance delivery.
• Assist as needed with compliance monitoring and implementation of federal and state regulations related to IEPs.
• Develop and disseminate resources, toolkits, and guidance materials to improve outcomes for students.

What you'll need to be successful:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills are required.
• Knowledge of IDEA and special education compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of Mississippi and College and Career Readiness Standards and the Mississippi Alternate Academic Achievement Standards.

Agency

Preferred Qualifications:

Relevant Bachelor's Degree, a valid Special Education Mississippi Educator Professional License, and three (3) + years of experience.