Company Summary
Texas Connections Academy (TCA) is a Texas Online School that offers 100% virtual instruction to public school students across Texas in grades 3-12 who are not physically present on campus during instruction. The TxVSN OLS program is authorized by Texas Education Code (TEC) Chapter 30A and administered through TEA. Connections Education, LLC is in partnership with Houston ISD and Mineral Wells School District to provide this high quality and rigorous virtual instruction through TCA.
Position Summary and Responsibilities
Working from your home office within Texas, the Manager of Special Population will oversee all aspects of educational service delivery for students with special education and Section 504 needs. The Manager will ensure that the school operates in compliance with all district, state, and federal regulations. The Manager will collect, store, and update data and documentation in a manner that meets or exceeds all compliance expectations. The 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 Manager of Special Populations will work in collaboration with the school leadership team. Leadership tasks will include collaboration with state board of education representatives, authorizing district representatives, and colleagues at Pearson Virtual Schools and other Connections Academy schools.
The Manager of Special Populations will also collaborate with school staff to ensure that state testing accommodations for students with IEPs are provided in an accurate and well planned manner. This Manager will also provide excellent customer service to the district and school leaders, teachers, students, and families. The ideal candidate will demonstrate an ability to build strong relationships with these stakeholders.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Oversee all aspects of educational service delivery for students with special education and Section 504 needs for the school
General Responsibilities:
- Collaborate, serve, and engage with the school leadership team 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 school leader about the special education team;
- Demonstrate experience with and strong understanding of state reporting systems and IEP systems;
- Ability to travel to district meetings when needed;
- 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;
- Implement Connections Academy special education/504 procedures and protocols;
- 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 and ensure complete compliance with state timelines;
- Implement and maintain a documentation system within the IEP system, state system and Connexus Learning Management System that captures and organizes all special education data and holds special education teachers accountable for accuracy of such data;
- Conduct all school-based special education related meetings;
- Coordinate the delivery of IEP mandated academic and related services including contracted services;
- Oversee the development, tracking, dissemination and proper implementation of IEP/504 mandated accommodations for students with disabilities during state testing events;
- Collaborate with Pearson Virtual School staff and the local school team concerning all facets of programming for students with special needs, from identification to transition and dismissal;
- Work directly with parents, as needed, to answer questions and ensure that all school actions are in compliance, and in the interest of maximizing student learning in the Least Restrictive Environment;
- Oversee the instructional programming for students with exceptionalities, ensuring students make quantifiable progress on IEP goals and through their assigned curriculum;
- Develop a good working knowledge of Connections Academy’s curricular options, and how they can be adapted and implemented to meet specific student needs;
- Provide oversight of all aspects of Section 504 including: conducting meetings for new and returning students, developing and implementing 504 plans and ensuring accuracy of state testing accommodations;
- Plan, implement, and evaluate staff professional development activities; and
- Perform such other duties as assigned by the School Leader, supervisor, or corporate Director of Exceptional Student Services.
Requirements
- Master's Degree in Special Education or a related field
- Degree in Special Education required
- Administrative certificate preferred, or willingness to obtain
- Texas Special Education teacher certificate required
- Teaching experience in Special Education required
- Experience with Texas Connections Academy @ Houston strongly preferred
- Experience leading/managing a Special Education program
- Minimum of three years administrative experience preferred
- Willing to travel occasionally for testing and training
- Demonstrated expertise in special education law and compliance;
- Technologically proficient (especially with Microsoft Office products and Google Suite); strength with Microsoft Excel required
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
- Strong customer-focused approach
- Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced environment
- Must be able to use a personal electronic device and an email address for two-step authentication