<p>TITLE: SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEAD</p> <p>QUALIFICATIONS:</p> <ol> <li>A Master's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in the field of special education and/or a related service or administration. </li><li>Maintains a valid Massachusetts teacher license, which is age appropriate for the particular assignment per regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MDESE). </li><li>A minimum of (5) years of successful experience as a teacher, therapist, counselor, school psychologist, and/or administrator. </li><li>Proficient in all special education laws and regulations. </li><li>A proven ability to work in a polite and friendly manner with many different publics. </li><li>Possesses good communication skills both verbal and written. </li><li>Demonstrated aptitude to perform the tasks below. </li><li>Must possess a sense of humor. </li><li>Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the School Department may find appropriate and acceptable. REPORTS TO: Building principal SUPERVISES Special education teachers, speech therapists, school psychologists, special education paraprofessionals and other related staff. JOB GOALS: To provide leadership, coordination, and innovation in special education and related services, so that each student may derive maximum benefit from his/her education. PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES (include but are not limited to): </li><li>Supervises and evaluates special needs and related service staff at the direction of the building principal. </li><li>Acts as the Special Education TEAM Chairperson for all initial and re-evaluation meetings as well as annual reviews as needed. </li><li>Acts as a consultant to the building administration on all matters related to special education and students with special needs. </li><li>Coordinates and supervises the flow and access to all special education student files. </li><li>Assists in the development of special education programs and curriculum adaptations, modifications, and accommodations for identified students with special needs. 4.19 TITLE: SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEAD 2 S:JobDescription\EAPC\4.19 Sped Educ Dept Head.docx </li><li>Assists in the evaluation of students with special needs or those students who may be referred for a special needs evaluation. </li><li>Meets with special education staff on a regular basis for purposes of staff development, regulation requirements, and policies. </li><li>Assures that all special education and related services are carried out in accordance with individualized educational programs. </li><li>Consults with all staff, parents, and administrators regarding issues relative to special education. </li><li>Maintains an accurate database including all necessary fields for all identified students with special needs. </li><li>Assists in the program evaluation of special education and related services. </li><li>Assists school counselors and administration in the scheduling of students with special needs into appropriate classes. </li><li>Assists the building administration in the development of the special education budget for the building. </li><li>Assists the building principal in the recruitment, screening, and recommended hiring of special education and related service staff. </li><li>Interprets special education law, regulations, and policies for the administration and staff. </li><li>Keeps abreast of current research, literature, curricula, etc. as it relates to special education and meets with other staff to exchange information about promising and best practices within the field. </li><li>Assist and coordinate summer services and programming. </li><li>Advises the building principal on the placement of special education staff. </li><li>Maintains an up-to-date inventory of departmental materials, supplies, and equipment. </li><li>Meets with other department heads and the Director of Special Education to ensure consistency with regard to program goals, policies, and procedures. </li><li>Performs such other related tasks and assumes such other related responsibilities as may from time to time be assigned by immediate supervisors. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of those in this classification. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: School calendar year as determined by practice and Teachers' Contract plus that time necessary to complete the professional responsibilities of the job. The special education department head should expect to work for an additional amount of time during the non-academic year. This time will be paid for by an agreed upon stipend for specific activities and tasks. 4.19 TITLE: SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEAD 3 S:JobDescription\EAPC\4.19 Sped Educ Dept Head.docx EVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with procedures established by the School Committee on the evaluation of professional personnel. SALARY: Appropriate teacher's salary plus department head stipend per current Teacher contract. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER PLYMOUTH </li></ol>