Organization: Excel Academy Charter Schools

Job Title: Special Education Coordinator

Campus/Location: Excel Academy Charter High School

Reports to: Dean of Student Supports

Organizational Overview

Excel Academy Charter Schools is a growing network of high-performing charter schools dedicated to closing the achievement gap in the Boston area. The network currently operates three middle schools in East Boston and Chelsea and it launched its first high school in fall 2015. For 6 years in a row, Excel 8th graders have been the top-performers of all 450 Massachusetts public district and charter schools on the MCAS exams.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Special Education Coordinator role is designed to facilitate the processes related to special education at the school. The Learning Specialist and Support Coordinator advises the special education team to ensure that the needs of all students are being met and that services are aligned and in compliance with students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). This position will perform a variety of essential functions, including (but not limited to ):

Evaluation and Individualized Education Program (IEP) Process Responsibilities:

• Manage paperwork across grade levels (e.g. IEPs, Teacher Input Questionnaires, Learning Specialist input questionnaire, IEP Progress Reports, etc.) associated with up to 75 special education cases, managing compliance timelines to ensure deadlines are met and information is accurately recorded;
• Coordinate and execute all aspects of the new or triennial evaluation process according to state and federal deadlines;
• Write IEPs for students who newly qualify for special education or who continue to be eligible at their annual or triennial review, in accordance with team decisions;
• Update and revise IEPs from incoming students’ prior schools;
• Coordinate with core teachers and Learning Specialists to ensure that IEP progress reports are completed and provided to families in their native language;
• Ensure all testing accommodations are accurately documented for upcoming state national assessments (MCAS, PSAT, SAT, AP, etc.)
• Schedule testing, coordinate with parents, administrators and evaluators;
• Conduct Woodcock-Johnson testing, as needed, and write associated summary of results; and
• Coordinate all alternative testing.

Family Relations

• In consultation with the Learning Specialist, plan, schedule and chair all special education meetings with individual families, including but not limited to annual team meeting;
• Document meeting notes (Summary of Team Meeting) and family communication
• Provide parents the opportunity to evaluate team meetings, allowing them to vocalize whether or not they felt appropriately involved in all team decisions;
• Gather feedback from families of special education students with end-of-year evaluation surveys; and
• Send home evaluation summaries at least three days prior to evaluation team meetings for family to review.

Additional Responsibilities

• Teach Life Skills class
• Case management for up to 15 high needs student cases through collaboration with family, teachers, school personnel, and outside providers. This will include frequent progress monitoring, 1:1 student consultation, and adjusting student’s IEPs, as needed, to reflect current needs.

Team Member Responsibilities:

• Serve as a productive member of the Excel community;
• Align student support services with the school’s mission and educational philosophy;
• Participate in generating and upholding Excel Staff norms;
• Provide coverage when needed;
• Meaningfully participate in Friday meetings, school PD and Family Conferences
• Serve as a Faculty Mentor for Mentor Group

Do whatever it takes to ensure that the mission of the school is fulfilled.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree is required; a Master’s degree and certification in Special Education is strongly preferred;
• A minimum of two years’ teaching experience in an urban public school or charter school setting preferred, but not required;
• A commitment to working with underserved, urban youth;
• An unwavering commitment to and belief in the mission of Excel Academy Charter Schools, including Excel’s values and educational model;
• The ability to focus and thrive in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment;
• The ability to work effectively in a team environment and the willingness and desire to support others in doing their best work; and
• An entrepreneurial spirit that reflects an openness to change, a willingness to solve problems, and an interest in developing new ideas & programs.

Compensation

Excel provides a competitive compensation package that includes benefits and is commensurate with experience.

Would you like to apply to this job?

Please visit www.excelacademy.org/donate-get-involved/join-our-team to apply. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Excel Academy Charter Schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, ancestry, athletic performance, special need, proficiency in the English language or a foreign language or prior academic achievement.