Assistant Manager of Special Education

Company Description

Position Overview

The Assistant Manager of Special Education (AMSE) will oversee all aspects of educational service delivery for students with special education needs. The AMSE will work with school leaders to ensure that KIPP St. Louis schools operate in compliance with district, state and federal guidelines and provide appropriate programs in the least restrictive environment for all students receiving special education services. This will include management of the IEP process, communication with parents, engagement with related service providers throughout the state and compliant operation with special education law and procedures at all times. The AMSE reports to the Manager of Special Education and will work out of the regional shared services office in Delmar Divine,  but will frequently travel to various school sites throughout the city.

Who we are:

KIPP St. Louis is a part of a national network of free, open-enrollment, public charter schools offering a choice to families and children in St. Louis city. As the largest charter school system in the city, we are driven and committed to our mission, vision, and equity statement.

Mission: Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

Vision: Every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities.

Equity Statement: KIPP St. Louis is committed to becoming an anti-racist and anti-sexist organization by confronting inequities, barriers, and oppressive policies and systems.

KIPP St. Louis currently educates over 2,000 students and at full growth, we will educate nearly 3,600 students and hundreds of alumni. Today, our St. Louis network consists of two middle schools, three elementary schools, and a high school. 

Job Description

On the day-to-day basis, you can look forward to the following:

Special Education Compliance

• Oversee procedures for placement, initial evaluation, assignment and re-evaluation of students in special education to comply with state and federal requirements.
• Oversee and manage special education information system data to ensure that staff and student records, timelines and IEP data are in compliance with IDEA,  the state of Missouri and district special education policies.
• Direct staff as necessary in the design and development of complex IEPs.  Facilitate complex or contentious IEP meetings with parents, teachers, school leaders, advocates or attorneys, and agency representatives to plan strategies and interventions which address specific educational and behavioral needs of special education students.
• Represent KIPP St. Louis in out-of-district and private placements and serve as the LEA representative for IEP/Manifestation Determination/Eligibility meetings as assigned by the Manager of Special Education
• Administer a variety of tests as assigned by the VP of Student Services.
• Remain current and knowledgeable about federal and state special education statutes, regulations, and policies.
• Progress Monitoring and Data Collection; maintain accurate progress reporting for all IEPs
• Ensure IEPs are developmentally appropriate, curriculum/standards -based, strength-based and relevant to individual students. Provide Feedback to Special Education teachers on their case management processes
• Communicate with school leadership teams and track suspensions of scholars with IEPs. Communicate suspension with case managers and ensure all manifestation meetings occur appropriately
• Other duties as assigned.

Coordination of Programs

• Work directly with parents, as needed, to answer questions and ensure that all school actions are in compliance, and in the interest of maximizing student learning in the Least Restrictive Environment.
• Promote effective communication with staff, parents, and administration as related to KIPP St. Louis’ special programs.
•  Support in the creation of quarterly and annual reports on student outcomes for school leaders and regional stakeholders.
• Collaborates on School Special Education Scheduling. Updates and maintains school special education schedules (speech and language, all special education teachers, paraprofessionals, OT, PT). 
• Maintains central Special Ed Information Database for all schools in Spedtrack.
• Other duties as assigned.

Support the development of school-based special education teams

• Works with the Manager of Sped to monitor Special Ed paperwork including making corrections and adjustme