Special Programs Academic Manager

Job Description

The Special Programs Academic Manager develops and implements policies and procedures and oversees all matters related to special education for the school. The role assists the Head of School with developing and implementing general academic policies and procedures and with school operations.

Start Date:

Immediately for the current school year.

• Special Education Teacher Certification
• Must have a School Administrator certificate

• Must reside in Michigan

• Develop, implement, and disseminate best practices for special education policies and procedures in collaboration with school leadership.
• Support the school’s administration and teachers in providing training on and implementation of special education programs and services. Maintain contact with district(s), intermediate units, and state special education leaders to ensure compliance and represent the school at state meetings and trainings.
• Develop contracts with service providers to provide related services to students and support full implementation of the related services database to track services and report costs accurately.
• Oversee the development, compliance, maintenance, and implementation of all Review of Exiting Data (RED), Multidisciplinary Evaluation and Eligibility Group Summary (MEEGS), and Individualized Education Plans (IEP).
• Ensure fiscal compliance for special education programs, including IDEA Part B funds and all applicable reporting.
• Work with the Testing Manager and team to ensure that all students receive appropriate accommodations during state testing.
• Work with the enrollment team to develop processes for timely identification and enrollment of students with special needs.
• Proactively communicate all changes in local, state, and federal special education practices and laws to the Head of School.
• Ensure that special education students are integrated in all school activities and that general and special education teachers and staff collaborate for all students’ academic success.
• Collect data for internal studies of special education and work directly with parents and students where necessary.
• Travel up to 20% of the time to review files, work with office staff, attend meetings, proctor assessments, provide and attend professional development meetings, and participate in school activities, open houses, orientations, and enrollment meetings.

• Directly supervise 5–10 full‑time equivalent employees and/or contractors, carrying out responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable laws.
• Interview, hire, train, assign, and direction of work; appraise performance; reward and discipline; and address complaints and resolve problems.

• Bachelor’s degree AND
• Three (3) years of special education teaching experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to clear required background check.

• Project management experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills with both in‑person and electronic communication platforms and a customer service orientation.
• Ability to read data and determine steps to assist students academically and behaviorally, individually and as a whole.
• Ability to apply adult instructional methods in training and development of staff.
• Effective oral and written communication.
• Demonstrates sound judgment in decision‑making.
• Understanding of applicable sections of the State Education Code and other pertinent regulations.
• Willingness and ability to obtain additional licensing as required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook, as well as internet research methods and report‑writing techniques; uses computer software associated with curriculum and special education.
• Master’s degree.
• Supervisory certificate.
• Three (3) years of special education administration experience.

Stride, Inc. considers a person’s education, experience, and qualifications, as well as the position’s work location, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value when determining a new…