The Supervisor of Special Education for Secondary Schools reports to the Assistant Superintendent of Special Education and is directly responsible for serving all students as a missionary disciple.  The individual will lead the execution of the “Strategic Goals for Special Education” as an administrator of the Office of Catholic Education.

The Supervisor will manage the full continuum of Learning Support services in our high schools, and serve as a support for the programmatic and strategic plans for the Schools of Special Education. This continuum includes providing professional development to faculty and staff, coaching individual faculty and staff, reviewing special education documentation such as IEPs and Evaluation Reports, designing accommodations for learning support needs, coaching staff members on writing individual student plans, participating in hiring when asked for essential, specialized personnel for the High Schools and related services.  The Supervisor will participate in meetings with the principals of the Schools of Special Education and assist in oversight of these three schools.

The Supervisor will oversee each High School’s Learning Support plan and services while working to expand the infrastructure needed to meet the demands of today’s learning environments.  This leader will need to forge relationships with college and community partners, and advocate for students and families. Further, there is the need to provide accommodations and modifications for students with mild-moderate disabilities in the full Catholic high school environment, specifically to provide consultation and direct strategic support for the various learning support needs within the regular education schools, and provide professional development to enable teachers to meet diverse learning needs via differentiated instruction.

There are 15 Secondary School and 3 Schools of Special Education in the Archdiocese that are inclusive of students with special learning needs, whose individualized learning plans can be accommodated with available and enhanced resources with a customized approach at the respective schools.  The Secondary Schools have local governance subject to the constraints of the Secondary System.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Evaluate staffing, program needs, materials, and technology at the present Archdiocesan High Schools and make recommendations to increase capacity to serve students with mild-moderate learning disabilities with accommodations and modifications.
• Make site visits monthly and meet quarterly with principals and assistant principals of High Schools and the Schools of Special Education.
• Work with administrators and admissions staff to interpret the results of psycho-educational evaluations, IEPs, and 504 plans; and monitor student progress.
• Manage compliance with special education laws, requirements, and timelines for non-public schools.
• Coordinate and collaborate with members of school teams concerning all facets of programming for students with disabilities, including pre-referral intervention and transition or dismissal.
• Support high schools with assistive technology decisions.
• Provide recommendations regarding enrollment growth for Secondary Schools and the Schools of Special Education.
• Provide consultation and support for expansion of learning support programming to general education schools.
• Develop guidelines and policies for learning support programs at the high schools to provide accommodations/modifications.
• Consult with County Intermediate Units regarding Equitable Participation for delivery of student services along with portions of IDEA, section 504, and ADA.
• Study current information related to special education laws, programs, and student resources.
• Support schools in implementation of specially designed instruction.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate professional development for teachers.
• Remain informed of current information related to enrichment programs and student resources.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Special Education or related educational field.
• Pennsylvania Certification in Special Education, K-12; PA special education supervisory certification, preferred.
• Administrative leadership experience and certification, preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge and success in obtaining government funding.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• High degree of flexibility.
• Technologically proficient.
• Strong knowledge and experience with special education instructional models.
• Understanding of special education transition planning.
• Comprehensive understanding of IDEA, ESSA, Section 504 and ADA laws and regulations; Child Find and Equitable Participation protocols; identification and services for students.