Special Education Department Chair

Special Education Department Chair

Location:

Pawtucket School Department, Tolman High School, Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

The Department chair oversees the function and efficiency of the building's Special Education Department, coordinates evaluation team meetings, completes required paperwork, and conducts academic evaluations. These activities are performed in compliance with the local education agency, the RI Department of Education, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004 to assess disability presence.

In addition, the Department Chair works closely with principals, teachers, central office personnel, parents, and community agencies providing services for children with disabilities. The Chair reports directly to the building Principal.

• Coordinate and chair evaluation teams.
• Collaborate with the Systems Manager to review data and inform decisions.
• Oversee the referral process and schedule referrals in compliance with IDEA evaluation timelines.
• Support case managers and ensure IEPs and required paperwork are completed in a timely manner.
• Review all evaluation/RTI data and present it to the team comprehensively.
• Administer and complete education evaluations.
• Coordinate grade-level transition meetings with staff and administration each academic year.
• Coordinate meetings with outside agencies, such as the Office of Rehabilitation.
• Liaise between regular and special education.
• Ensure school administration and special educators implement all federal and state mandates outlined by IDEA.
• Coordinate regularly scheduled meetings with the special education staff.
• Schedule IEP team meetings, including the Special Education Director or Assistant Director, when placement or service decisions occur.
• Assist building administration, guidance, and central office in developing caseloads and student schedules, including placement in the least restrictive environment.
• Monitor quality of special education service delivery.
• Coordinate all transition activities.
• Review all special education documents prior to presentation to the IEP or evaluation team to ensure high quality and compliance.
• Plan and deliver professional development on topics such as:
  • IDEA regulations and district protocol for evaluation and delivery of services to students with disabilities.
  • Transition tools, activities, assessments, and mandates.
  • Co‑teaching and other inclusive models.
  • Specialized instruction.
  • Writing IEPs.
  • Progress monitoring of IEP goals and objectives.
  • Interpreting evaluation results.
  • Use of RTI data in determining disability.
• Disseminate current special education district information to case managers and support staff on an ongoing basis.
• Serve as a member of TAC.
• Develop agenda and present materials at regularly scheduled special education department meetings.
• Provide support to the Special Educators in the building.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Director of Special Education, Assistant Director, or administrators.

• IDEA
• Section 504
• Related Rhode Island laws, BEP, and policies, regulations, procedures of the Pawtucket School Department and the Rhode Island Department of Education.
• RI High School Regulations and graduation requirements.
• Response to Intervention (academic and behavioral).
• Data analysis.
• New RI teacher evaluation tool.
• Principles of learning and effective instruction.
• Principles of effective management, staff supervision, and instruction evaluation.
• Instructional materials and their relationship to program goals and objectives.
• RTI.

• Master’s Degree in special education, educational administration, or educational leadership (preferred).
• RIDE certification Special Education 9–12.
• At least five years of teaching experience.
• Evidence of commitment to educating students with special needs within the least restrictive environment.
• Experience in a leadership role.
• Effective communication with staff, parents, and administration.
• Ability to interpret and implement changes in federal and state special education laws and regulations.
• Ability to work with administrators in establishing and maintaining district plans for continuous improvement of student performance.
• Ability to work…