About this role
School Mission At the Inspired Teaching Demonstration School, a professional learning community of master teachers and teacher residents ensures that a diverse group of students achieve their potential as accomplished learners, thoughtful citizens, and imaginative and inquisitive problem solvers through a demanding, inquiry-based curriculum. With its clear mission and prominent location in Washington, DC, the school serves as a model of instruction for students and training for teachers, with the goal of becoming a leader in changing the way teachers are prepared and supported and students are educated nationwide. Job Purpose The Special Education Compliance Associate is responsible for supporting the Special Education Leadership Team in maintaining compliance for all students in the school’s special education program – specifically, students with IEPs or 504 plans. The Special Education Compliance Associate ensures that the school meets and adheres to deadlines and local and Federal guidelines for special education compliance as well as legal and compliance requirements of public schools under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). A firm belief and grounding in the philosophy and values of the school's mission is crucial for every employee. It is of the utmost importance that every member of the school’s staff believes that all children can learn and contribute to the vitality of their learning community. This combined with a deep care for all students is the foundation for our work. Essential Functions The Special Education Compliance Associate is responsible for the following : Special Education Systems & Student Services Support ● Arranges, updates, and monitors transportation services for students with disabilities, including working with vendors and consulting with ITDS operations team ● Collects and screens SPED teachers’ progress report comments and shares high-level feedback with special education leadership team ● Reviews and screens written documents (IEP, 504 plans) to ensure that documents meet all requirements ● Sends out letters of invitation for IEP meetings, shares draft IEPs 5 days in advance and provides Prior Written Notice when needed ● Sends IEP and 504 plan final drafts out to sign digitally ● Provides coverage support to classrooms (as needed) when general education teachers attend IEP and 504 meetings Intellect • Inquiry • Imagination • Integrity ● Provides coverage support to individual students (as needed) when a Specialist, Individualized Support is needed in the event of an absence. Special Education Liaison Support ● Serves as a champion school’s special education program by upholding the school values, mission, commitment, and strategic priorities to support the special education team in order to meet every child's needs in collaboration with families ● Adheres to the standards for implementation of local procedures and policies for identification, evaluation, and placement of students with disabilities inclusive of considerations regarding the least restrictive environment; stays abreast of updates and policy changes that impact compliance standards when necessary ● Follows up with case managers and applicable IEP team members before and after IEP/504 related meetings and collaborates with team members to ensure next steps are complete Special Education Documentation, Recordkeeping, and Legal Compliance ● Successfully navigates the Special Programs database and supports maintenance of special education records ● Adheres to mandated Federal, District and LEA timelines for student evaluation, family consent permissions, and child find obligations; Stays abreast of all legal requirements governing special education and their application to programs in DC ● Participates in mediation and due process activities, as requested ● Monitors and adheres to important dates and deadlines on shared calendars for timely scheduling and holding of 504 & IEP events inclusive of related meetings (FBA, BIP, Evaluations, Safety Plans etc.) Performs other duties as assigned by the Manager of Special Education Compliance, Director of Special Education, Principal, or Executive Director Qualifications ● Bachelor’s degree required ● At least 2 years experience in Special Education services and support preferred ● Strong written and communication skills ● Strong skills in navigating online platforms and adhering to hard deadlines ● Deep commitment to reflective practice, an ability to give and receive feedback openly and without defensiveness, and a desire to constantly question and improve teaching practice. ● Commitment to creating a school that not only provides an excellent education for the student, but that creates an open, trusting learning environment for teachers. Intellect • Inquiry • Imagination • Integrity ● Demonstrated commitment to anti-racist, anti-bias practices and comfort and willingness to address issues of equity, access and inclusion. ● Ability to thrive in an innovative environment and an interest in being part of a team that builds the systems that support a growing school. ● Embodies a whole child mindset. ABOUT THE SCHOOL History Inspired Teaching Demonstration School was founded on the work of Center for Inspired Teaching to ensure that all schools make the most of children’s innate desire to learn. The school is organized to meet two related, mutually reinforcing goals: to provide an excellent education for students, and to provide excellent teacher preparation and professional development for teachers and teacher leaders. As such, the school is a true learning community. Inspired Teaching Demonstration School opened for the 2011-2012 school year following authorization by the District of Columbia Public Charter School Board. The school was founded by a Founding Group convened by Center for Inspired Teaching, a Washington DC based non-profit organization, which began working with teachers and schools in 1995. Professional development, mentoring, and teacher certification programs have all been a part of Inspired Teaching Demonstration School’s work and shared goal to transform the school experience for all children. Philosophy Inspired Teaching is rooted in the belief that every student possesses the ability to think critically, learn and understand information, and solve complex problems and that students should spend their time in school engaged primarily in these kinds of activities. It is the teacher's responsibility to find or create a way to reach every student in partnership with the student’s family. At Inspired Teaching Demonstration School, we teach and reinforce Intellect, Inquiry, Imagination, and Integrity, our four Is. Such education is a continuous process that supports and sustains all other aspects of school life and purpose. We have also always been committed to creating an equitable school environment that actively works to surface and address issues of social justice. SALARY AND BENEFITS Intellect • Inquiry • Imagination • Integrity The Inspired Teaching School offers competitive salaries, commensurate with experience. This is an entry level position with an annual salary range of $60,000 - $65,000. The school offers a strong benefits package that includes health care (multiple plan options), retirement plan (employer match available), Flexible Spending accounts, supplemental insurance through AFLAC, and pre-tax public transportation/Metro benefit. The Inspired Teaching Demonstration School is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive hiring and encourages applicants from all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected status. All employment decisions are made solely on the basis of the individual’s qualifications as related to the requirements of the position being filled. The school's Title IX Coordinator is Jessica Hiltabidel ([email protected])