Director of Special Education

Company Description

KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of free, open enrollment, college preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and life. There are 255 KIPP schools across the nation and the District of Columbia, serving more than 100,000 students. Nationally, KIPP students are graduating at 3x the national average for low-income students.

Founded in 2008 with 50 students in 5th grade, KIPP Columbus currently serves nearly 2,000 students in grades Kindergarten through twelfth. During the  school year, and for the third year in a row, KIPP Columbus had the highest amount of academic growth of any community school in Ohio.

The mission of KIPP Columbus is to create a system of schools where students develop the intellectual, academic, and social skills needed to understand and take action on issues they encounter in everyday life. By establishing a rigorous, safe, and personalized learning environment, KIPP Columbus will foster a culture of responsibility and service and empower all students to become active and engaged citizens.

Our vision is to ensure that all students in our community will have access to a transformational education that empowers them with the knowledge, skills, and character necessary for success in college and life.

The Director of Special Education leads and improves special education programming by overseeing the full continuum of services, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local requirements, and promoting delivery in the least restrictive environment. The role also manages compliance reporting, facilitates stakeholder collaboration, provides performance data, and builds staff capacity through professional development, targeted feedback, and leadership in IEP, ETR, and disciplinary processes.

The Director of Special Education reports to the Senior Director of Student Services. The role provides coaching, feedback, and performance input for Behavioral Assistants, Paraprofessionals and Intervention Specialists in partnership with School Leaders. The position collaborates closely with the Director of Diverse Learning to ensure, among other priorities, coherent MTSS and Section 504 practices.

• Directs the delivery and continuous improvement of special education programming.

• Directs the implementation of the internal monitoring system, tracks participation & ensures implementation with fidelity.

• Keeps current with the K-12 courses of study, scope and sequence framework, and state standards/guidelines.

• Complies with state model policies and procedures for the education of students identified as having a disability.

• Serves as a liaison and information resource for special education.

• Coordinates placement procedures and ensures that services are provided in the least restrictive educational environment.

• Provides coaching and high-leverage feedback to staff supporting students with disabilities.

• Helps teachers and administrators with discipline and pupil management issues.

• Participates in staff selection, orientation, and evaluation processes as directed.

• Expresses high expectations and monitors staff performance & collaborates with administrators to improve staff competencies.

• Completes staff evaluations as requested.

• Designs and delivers professional learning for Paraprofessionals, Behavior Assistants, and Intervention Specialists, aligned with regional priorities and in coordination with School Leaders.

• Conducts regular classroom observations—particularly in Specialized Learning Classrooms—to provide real-time coaching and model best practices.

• Creates differentiated, ongoing professional development for special education team members.

• Ensures compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and related state regulations; monitors the accuracy and timeliness of IEPs, evaluations, and related documentation.

• Assist with tracking and monitoring required submissions to Fordham or Epi Center on behalf of the Student Services Department

• Collaborate…