Director of Special Education

Organizational Overview:

KIPP Atlanta Schools is part of the KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) national network of free, open enrollment, college preparatory schools dedicated to ensuring that every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities. There are 280 KIPP schools in 21 states and the District of Columbia serving more than 175,000 scholars and alumni. KIPP Atlanta currently operates 11 schools including five primary schools, six middle schools and one high school, as well as KIPP Forward which supports scholars on their journey to a choice-filled life. We are a social justice organization and our vision and mission require the work of dedicated, bold and skilled leaders, educators, and support staff who are committed to serving as the catalyst for joyful, academically excellent schools and the foundation for building a more just and equitable world for our scholars. 

Job Summary:

The Director of Special Education is charged with setting and executing the vision for exceptional scholar support at KIPP Atlanta Schools, ensuring that all students with disabilities receive high-quality instruction and the services necessary to thrive. Reporting to the Managing Director of Academics, the Director of Special Education manages the regional MTSS Managers and leads a cohort of school-based Assistant Principals of Scholar Support (APSS), coaching them on both compliance and instructional best practices to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. As the regional leader and expert for special education, the Director will drive continuous school improvement, align practices with state and federal compliance requirements, and build capacity among school leaders and teachers to implement best-in-class special education programming. Additionally, the Director will support the hiring process for special education leaders and teachers, forecast hiring needs, and ensure compliance with special education staffing requirements. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of improving student outcomes for students with disabilities, expertise in state accountability measures such as the Georgia CCRPI (College and Career Ready Performance Index), and experience leading continuous improvement initiatives. The Director will work collaboratively across schools and departments to ensure that every KIPP Atlanta scholar has access to a high-quality education, tailored supports, and a pathway to success.

Job Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & Execution 40%

• Set, direct, and execute the special education strategy at KIPP Atlanta Schools to ensure all scholars receive a high-quality education and are on a path to a choice-filled life.
• Develop benchmarks for success and maintain comprehensive data tracking systems to monitor student progress, school compliance, and the effectiveness of special education initiatives.
• Conduct regular school observations, data reviews, and walkthroughs to assess the quality of special education services and instructional delivery.
• Partner with Heads of Schools, Principals, and APSS to identify key action items that will improve student outcomes, increase inclusion opportunities, and ensure alignment with state and district expectations.
• Support the integration of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and Response to Intervention (RTI) models to ensure that early interventions prevent unnecessary referrals to special education.
• Partner with the Talent and Finance Teams to lead hiring forecasting, using historical trend data and current enrollment projections to provide accurate hiring needs assessments for special education roles.
• Stay current on state and district-level priorities from Atlanta Public Schoo