Job Description

Position Summary The Special Education Coordinator is a collaborative and strategic educator who advances BART’s mission by developing, overseeing, and evaluating programs and policies that support students with special education needs. As BART’s designated DESE Administrator of Special Education, the Coordinator ensures that all students have equitable access to a high-quality education by managing the Special Education Department’s personnel, resources, and operations in full compliance with federal and state special education laws.

The Coordinator must bring strong leadership, management, and interpersonal skills to supervise and coach special education professionals and to collaborate effectively with colleagues across the school—including the Principal, Assistant Principals, and Director of Counseling Services. The Coordinator plays a critical role in supporting classroom teachers in meeting the needs of students with IEPs and in building meaningful partnerships with families.

This is a full-time, twelve-month position that reports to the Principal and serves as a member of the school’s instructional leadership team.

EXPECTATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Staff Management

• Recruit, supervise, and evaluate special education faculty and staff to ensure high-quality instruction and support for students with disabilities.

• Collaborate with the Principal, Assistant Principals, and other staff to provide professional development for faculty, paraprofessionals, and learning specialists to identify students with special needs and adapt instruction through differentiation, modification, and accommodations aligned with individual learning plans.

• Implement the Massachusetts Model System for Educator Evaluation by setting benchmarks, monitoring progress, and evaluating the effectiveness of special education faculty and staff in meeting individual student needs and school wide goals.

• Develop and deliver professional learning for special education staff, as well as training and professional development for general education faculty and staff related to special education policies, practices, and inclusive instruction.

• Engage in professional growth opportunities and stay current with research, evidence-based instructional strategies, and best practices in special education.

Program Management

• Lead the development, review, and continuous improvement of systems and program structures that provide a full continuum of services to meet the diverse needs of students with special learning needs. Collaborate closely with general education staff to ensure effective identification, referral, evaluation, placement, and ongoing support of students across all instructional settings.

• Collaborate with grade-level teams to ensure they are equipped to identify and support the individual learning needs of special education students within general education settings.

• Support the adaptation of school programs and policies to ensure accessibility and inclusion for students with special needs; lead Manifestation Determination Review meetings as required.

• Collaborate with the Principal, Assistant Principals, School Adjustment Counselors, and other school staff to provide crisis intervention and support for students with IEPs.

• Oversee Student 504 Plans, including 504 meetings, documentation, teacher and team notification, referrals for testing, and accommodations.

• Partner with the Executive Director and Director of Finance & Operations to develop and manage the budget for all aspects of the special education program.

• Coordinate with sending and receiving school districts and independent schools to support the smooth transition of students requiring special education services to or from BART.

• Oversee the timely and effective adoption of assistive technologies to ensure students can fully access the curriculum.

• Actively engaging parents to support the success of all students at BART.

Record-Keeping

• Ensure accurate and timely documentation and data reporting in compliance with DESE special education requirements.

• Review student data with staff to determine appropriate placements and supports based on individual needs and legal requirements.

• Maintain student records, evaluation reports, service logs, IEPs, and 504 documentation in accordance with school policies and state/federal law.

• Facilitate 504 and IEP meetings and write plans that reflect students’ individual needs and services.

Compliance and Review

• Oversee and ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal special education laws and regulations.

• Collaborate with the Executive Director, Principal, and other staff to prepare documentation and coordinate DESE and other external special education reviews and onsite visits.

• Serve as BART’s primary liaison with DESE on all special education matters.

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