25-26 Dean of Student Support Services (DSS)

Company Description

KIPP New Orleans Schools (KNOS) is a non-profit network of 13 college/career-preparatory, public charter schools serving 6,200 elementary, middle, and high school students, and over 1,500 alumni.  While each of our schools is as unique as the community to which it belongs, we are united around a shared promise: To build academically excellent schools that create unlimited opportunity for all students. For 20 years, we have a proven track record of preparing students for success in college, career, and beyond.

At KIPP, you have the freedom to innovate and the support to grow. You never stop learning, and you’re part of a national network that’s leading the way in getting students from underserved communities to and through college, and beyond. As the largest charter school management organization in New Orleans, we serve approximately 15% of the city’s students, so we need passionate teammates to join us to make their impact at KIPP. Where will YOU take us?  Click here to learn more about teaching and working at KIPP New Orleans Schools.

Job Description

The Dean of Student Support Services (DSS) is responsible for ensuring that all students receiving special education services receive comprehensive, compassionate, and equitable services in order to achieve significant academic gains for all of our students with IEPs.

The Dean of Student Support will lead the implementation, and management of KNOS Special Education Program, policies, and procedures, and work collaboratively with all Student Support Teammates (Social Workers, Psychologists, MTSS Coordinators and SLPs), Service Providers  and families to provide a strong educational program for all KIPPsters.

Key DSS Leadership Skills:

• Ability to execute consistent and effective coaching cycle with specialized programs coaching focus)

• Ability to develop continuum-aligned  and targeted schedules for self,  sped teachers, and related service providers &s that drives urgent academic & compliance outcomes

• Ability to manage a multidisciplinary team  to generate IEP aligned  outcomes for students (Sped Teachers, Social Worker, ESL Teacher, SLP & Psychologist- in collaboration with Regional Manager)

• Ability to navigate Sped Specific & KNOS Data Platforms (SER to manage & maintain student records & Tableau & Powerschool)

• Establish & maintain organization systems for IEP Meetings & IEP Student Records maintenance (SER/Binders)

• Establish & execute system audits for IEP Meetings & Student Records (SER/Binders)

• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with school based leadership team members to problem solve and ensure the fidelity of individualized plans (IEPs, 504s, BIPs, etc) 

• Ability to communicate and collaborate with families to ensure deep partnership & transparency in supporting student with IEP

• Maintain a pulse on the health of all diverse learner programming including instruction, behavior, social/emotional progress, and adaptive skill development

Dean of Student Support Instructional Duties:

• Engage in observation, real-time coaching & feedback cycle for specialized settings on Instructional Coaching caseload

• Plan, Prepare and execute weekly coaching check-ins with teachers of specialized settings 

• Develop, maintain, and audit Sped Teacher schedules to ensure continuum-aligned instructional minutes mirror IEP program services  

• Develop, maintain, and audit Related Service Provider schedules to ensure instructional minutes align with IEP program services

Dean of Student Support Compliance Duties:

• Train Special Education teachers on how to effectively write an IEP and monitor progress to goal

• Facilitate IEP meetings within timeline

• Provide feedback to case-managers on 100% of IEPs before entering and finalizing in SER 

• Develop, maintain, and share IEP calendar with all key stakeholders to ensure case managers are able to complete  100% of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in timeline  

• Develop and execute a cycle of weekly/bi-weekly student service log audits including reviews of recent IEP meeting paperwork to ensure ongoing compliance. Ensure that all teachers and leaders are aware of scholars ELL, IEP and 504 accommodations and have visible structures to implement with fidelity 

• Collaborate w/ MTSS  Team to develop & monitor 504 plans & organize & communicate accommodations to all teachers, families & administrators 

• Manage service providers through regular check-ins to ensure all com