SPED Coordinator

Special Education Coordinator
(Full Time, Certification Required)

Position Description

Educators for Quality Alternatives

EQA serves students who have dropped out, been expelled from, or have struggled academically or behaviorally in traditional settings and are looking for an accelerated path to graduation. There are three high school campuses, The NET: Central City which opened in 2011, The NET: Gentilly which opened in 2017, and a third high school campus, NET: East, formerly New Orleans Accelerated High School (NOAH), which opened in 2020 as a merger with ReNEW Accelerated High School. In 2022, Students at the high schools earn a high school diploma and participate in internships, career counseling, and career training in various fields including construction, medical, and digital media.  EQA also serves middle school students through The Bridge Middle School, a therapeutic program for 7th and 8th grade struggling students. For all settings, our goal is that our students leave school with the skills, confidence and experience necessary to succeed in the career and education path of their choice. 

Why become a leader at EQA Schools? 

We believe that our students, who are some of the city’s brightest and most vulnerable young people, thrive when their teachers do. We know that teachers deserve strong leadership to make this happen.  In this role, you have a unique opportunity to leverage your leadership skills to benefit our staff and students.  You will be part of a close knit team that works collaboratively to support students.  With your guidance, you can work towards helping our city’s youth develop their greatest potential.  

Position Summary

Between 20-25% of EQA students are identified as Special Education.  The school’s Special Education Coordinator is responsible for:

• Program compliance with all state, federal, local, and organizational guidelines
• Providing direct instruction to Special Education students when necessary
• Managing child find, student evaluation and re-evaluation process
• Writing and Managing progress on IEPs and IEP goals
• Coordinating servicing for all eligible students, and coaching and managing the staff who provide them
• Providing servicing to students including SLD, ED, and other students who struggle significantly with academics and/or behavior

Detailed Responsibilities

Ensure program compliance with all state, federal, local, and organizational guidelines

• Stay abreast of all laws, regulations, policies and procedures and share them with the appropriate staff
• Develop, manage and continually update student 504, IEP, LEP paper and electronic compliant files
• Complete internal checklists and audits to insure compliance of all components of the program 
• Respond to all external audits as requested

Manage child find, student evaluation and re-evaluation process

• Work closely with staff, students, and families to identify students who have or have had IEPs or evaluations and to obtain the appropriate information 
• Coordinate school-wide and individual vision, speech, and hearing screenings at least once a semester
• Work closely with staff and leaders to identify students through the RtI process who may need to be evaluated
• Identify, contact with and manage Psychologists, Education Diagnosticians, Speech Therapists and other evaluation personnel to insure high quality, 1508 compliant evaluations and re-evaluations
• Manage process to insure that all evaluation components are completed in keeping with appropriate deadlines

Write and manage progress on IEPs and IEP Goals

• Develop high quality IEP goals which align with state policies, NET values, and student needs
• Write high quality IEPs which integrate all student plans, needs, and services
• Coordinate and lead IEP meetings to insure students and families are empowered in the plan development and implementation process
• Work toward integrating the IEPs into all components of a student’s journey at The NET to insure it is a living document that adds value for students and staff, as well as insures compliance

Coordinate servicing for all eligible students

• Coordinate academic, counseling, and behavioral servicing for all eligible students this includes push in, pull out, small group and individual services, counseling and other interventions

• Insure all students receive the appropriate hours and document all services and hours
• Coordinate related services for all eligible students including, but not limited to: Speech, TAV, OT, etc.

Provide servicing to students including SLD, ED, and other students who struggle significantly with academics and/or behavior

• Design and teach small group and individual interventions including, but not limited to:
  • Reading 
  • Math
  • Test prep
  • Social-behavior skills
  • Career prep skills
• Provide push in, pull out, co-teaching, individual interventions as appropriate to students’ needs each semester

Program development and continual program and personal professional growth 

• Develop & improve special education program policies, procedures and structures

• Set goals for student and program performance and analyze data to continually improve special education at The NET
• Actively reflect on your own work and monitor progress toward goals
• Productively seek, give, and use feedback
• Positively contribute to the school’s collegial community 
• Participate in all scheduled professional development activities and seek out additional opportunities 

School Faculty/Leadership responsibilities

• All EQA staff participate in school related duties and functions such as, but not limited to: duty, test proctoring, event planning
• Involve yourself in the continual development and improvement of the school’s curriculum, culture, and program

Position Requirements:

• 5+ years teaching at risk students with a demonstrated record raising student achievement
• 2+ years leading or coordinating programming and/or coaching adults
• Exemplary record of maintaining special education policy compliance
• A BA or BS required; Louisiana Teacher Certification in Special Education is required 
• Degree in and/or extensive knowledge of content area
• Specialized interest and skills in working with students with learning and emotional difficulties
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, relationship building & management skills
• Learning mindset dedicated to effectively and innovatively problem solving and constantly improving
• Passion for improving educational opportunities for urban students and for being a part of a strong, mission-driven team
• Commitment to EQA’s mission, vision and growth

Details

• Start Date: June 2024
• Location: TBD
• Schedule: School is year-round with a generous leave schedule.
• Salary: Depending upon experience. Initial salary is set based on years of experience and degrees. Future salary increases are based on performance and responsibilities.
• Benefits: Comprehensive benefits and 403b retirement plan

EQA encourages individuals of all identities and backgrounds to apply for this position. We are an equal opportunity employer, fully committed to hiring a talented and diverse group of individuals. EQA does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin or ancestry, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other category protected by applicable law. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. EQA does not sponsor employment visas. In compliance with state law, all persons hired will be required to verify eligibility to work in a Louisiana public school via the appropriate background checks.