Florida Connections Academy - Assistant Manager of Special Education, 2024-2025 SY

Company Summary

Florida Connections Academy (FCA) is a tuition-free, online public charter school serving students in grades K-12 statewide. FCA is authorized by Hillsborough County Public Schools and is governed by an independent Board of Directors. The school is accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, the Northwest Accreditation Commission, and the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), which are accrediting divisions of Cognia.

Position Summary

Working from the Connections Academy office located in Tampa, Florida or approved home-based office, the Assistant Manager of Special Education will support the Manager of Special Education to oversee all aspects of educational service delivery for students with special education needs. The Assistant Manager of Special Education will ensure that the school operates in compliance with all district, state, and federal regulations.  The Assistant Manager of Special Education will collect, store, and update data and documentation in a manner that meets or exceeds all compliance expectations.  The Assistant Manager will assure that special education teachers are providing a comprehensive special education program that includes specially designed instruction in the least restrictive environment and that all students’ records are accurate and up-to-date. 

The Assistant Manager will manage the IEP process, communication with parents of students who have or who may be suspected of having disabilities, engagement with related service providers throughout the state, and compliant operations with special education law and procedures at all times.  The Assistant Manager of Special Education will work in collaboration with the Manager of Special Education, School Leader, school leadership team and Pearson Online and Blended Learning.  Leadership tasks will include collaboration with state board of education representatives, authorizing district representatives, and colleagues at the corporate office and other Connections Academy schools.

The Assistant Manager of Special Education will also collaborate with school staff to ensure that state testing accommodations for students with IEPs and 504s are provided in an accurate and well planned manner.  The Assistant Manager will provide excellent customer service to the district, school leaders, teachers, students, and families. The ideal candidate will demonstrate an ability to build strong relationships with these stakeholders and operate at a high level of integrity and accountability. 

Primary Responsibilities

The Assistant Manager of Special Education will support the Manager of Special Education to ensure that the school is providing appropriate programs in the least restrictive environment for all students with special needs. This will include management of the IEP process, communication with parents of students who have or who may have disabilities, engagement with related service providers throughout the state, and compliant operations with special education law and procedures at all times.

General Responsibilities

• Demonstrate a high level of integrity with transparency and accountability;
• Collaborate, serve, and engage with the Manager of Special Education, school leadership team, Pearson Online and Blended Learning (POBL) and authorizing district leaders;
• Actively participate in all school functions and activities, including state testing, marketing events, and field trips (traveling as requested);
• Supervise, manage and evaluate a team of special education teachers;
• Communicate with the Special Education Manager and School Leader about the special education team;
• Ensure compliance with federal and state special education processes and timelines;
• Remain compliant and conduct all tasks related to state reporting, meeting state timelines;
• Remain current and knowledgeable about federal and state special education statutes, regulations, and policies;
• Conduct IEP team meetings within state mandated timelines for all students with disabilities, including meeting timelines for newly enrolled students;
• Implement Connections Academy special education and 504 procedures and protocols;
• Assist with supporting the Connections Academy Mission Statement, school goals and School Improvement Plan;
• Implement procedures for placement, evaluation, assignment and re-evaluation of students with regard to the special education services program;
• Oversee and/or implement all aspects of Child Find referrals, IEP development, diagnostic assessments, and annual/tri-annual reviews;
• Implement and maintain a documentation system within the school’s IEP system and Connexus Learnin