Director of Student Services - West Chester, United States - 21st Century Cyber Charter School

Description

This position is responsible for the overall management of the Special Education and Student Services Programs at 21st Century Cyber Charter School (21CCCS).

This responsibility involves the development, design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of comprehensive Special Education and Student Services, including long-range program planning and establishing immediate priorities, in collaboration with the administrative team to improve student performance and outcomes.

The Director of Student Services will work closely with administrators to identify, design, and implement training for general and special education teachers on effective instructional practices to improve student achievement.

The Director of Student Services will oversee and ultimately be responsible for: Special Education, Student Services-related aspects of the School, Federal Programs and Grants, English Language Learners, Student Orientation, Dual Enrollment, Career and Technical Education (CTE), State Testing and Reporting, School Counseling, Social Workers and Home & School Liaisons.

• Serve as an educational leader with a collaborative management style and educational philosophy that is consistent with the mission and vision of the school.
• Assist in the creation and implementation of policies consistent with the school philosophy, CEO and Board initiatives.
• Promote a positive school culture focused on the unique needs and educational environment of cyber students.
• Assist the Business Manager and CEO to develop, implement, and monitor the annual budget for Special Education and Student Services.
• Demonstrate mastery of technology to collect and analyze data, interpret results, and communicate findings to ensure that appropriate instructional practices and student learning is implemented and to communicate and collaborate with staff, parents and students.
• Identify, communicate, model, and enforce social, legal, and ethical practices resulting in responsible, safe, and secure uses of technology throughout the cyber school community.
• Understand the school curriculum and advocate responsible risk taking and creativity in the development of innovative cyber instructional strategies that will maximize student learning.
• Advises and collaborates in the development of curricular sequences as they relate to program development and effectiveness in Special Education.
• Assists in teacher recruitment and hiring in the area of Special Education and Student Services. Responsible for the supervision of all exempt and nonexempt Special Education personnel.
• Ensures compliance with IDEA, 504, Chapter 16 laws and state and federal regulations.
• Responsible for planning and contributing to staff development in areas related to Special Education. Assist in Teacher Induction Programs for new employees relative to Special Education issues. Create opportunities and provide encouragement for staff to increase professional expertise.
• Analyze current programs, student achievement and student assessment data to identify problem areas, curricular and extracurricular needs and to assist in the implementation of program improvements. Assists in planning for new resources and/or equipment as they relate to Special Education and Student Services.
• Manage the performance and growth of subordinates through the consistent communication of high expectations and the provision of appropriate motivation for the attainment of goals.
• Regularly observe teachers in multiple settings to include; live classes, office hours, both daytime and evening hours and facetoface interactions.
• Make recommendations for the suspension or termination of an employee or contractor for unsatisfactory performance or for any of the reasons set forth in 24 P. S
• Represent the school at meetings and conferences on the local and state level serving as an expert in the area of cyber education and technologies and making presentations pertaining to the field, if appropriate.
• Establish and maintain relationships within the communities throughout Pennsylvania where current and potential cyber students reside. Meetings may occur during traditional school hours but are regularly held in the evenings to accommodate stakeholders.
• Ensure the needs of students with Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs), Gifted Individualized Education Plans (GIEPs) and 504s are met and the school is adhering to the requirements of the Individuals with Educational Disabilities Act.
• Keep abreast of changes in teaching technologies and developments in instructional practices through the attendance of professional meetings and conferences and the development of relationships with professionals in the field
• Interpret and administer standards and regulations for Special Education. Work with legal representation to appropriately address legislative developments that impact the School.
• Represents the school as the