The Boston Day & Evening Academy

Horace Mann Charter School

Coordinator of Special Education 

Job Description

School Year 2021-22

Boston Day and Evening Academy (BDEA) is seeking an extraordinary Coordinator of Special Education to work in our school. BDEA is an innovative public high school whose mission is to serve students who are overage for grade level, many of whom have experienced life challenges that have impeded their education. Working with experienced faculty in an environment that blends strong academics and support, students are given the opportunity to earn a Boston Public Schools diploma and to reach their fullest potential through a competency-based curriculum that inspires critical and creative thinking, independent learning, and active citizenship.  As a competency-based school, BDEA does not have grade levels. Our extended program, beginning at 8:00 am and running until 4:30 pm serves students with different academic needs up to age 23, including those who are being promoted from middle school without being academically prepared for high school; those who have dropped out of high school and have decided to return to earn a diploma, and those who are unable to attend regular school hours due to health issues, full time work and/or full time parenting obligations. The school employs 60 full and part-time staff to work with 440 students and is governed by an active Board of Trustees. All employees of the school are expected to uphold the mission of the school to build a consistent, unified, anti-racist, inclusive community that stimulates greater student agency, engagement, and academic achievement.  

BDEA seeks an exceptional COORDINATOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION (COSE) who is highly qualified and knowledgeable to join our community of teachers, learners and leaders. This is an exciting opportunity for teachers who desire to serve where their efforts matter. We are looking for a staff member who is committed to working with our students and families, who understands the lives of urban youth and who has a track record of working successfully with students and families who face academic and personal challenges.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the improvement of student outcomes and strengthen the engagement of families as partners
• Collaborate with the Head of School to:
• provide a respectful and engaging school environment for ALL students
• ensure that students with disabilities participate in the general education environment with their non-disabled peers per the IEP
• provide and/or arrange professional development and support for special education teachers and related service providers.
• Coordinate and support the continuum of settings and array of services for students with disabilities and students placed-at-risk
• Serve as liaison to and coordinate the work of outside agencies providing services to students in those schools without a Student Development Coordinator
• Engage families as partners in planning, problem solving, and provide assistance with school assignments
• Support the development of culturally competent practice at all levels
• Collaborate with the Principal/Headmaster in providing FAPE, LRE, and specialized instruction and services for students with disabilities, and differentiated instruction for all students
• Provide support to special education teachers regarding research-based and effective instructional and social-emotional-behavioral practices
• Provide expertise and assistance regarding the implementation of Code of Conduct for students with disabilities
• Support the maintenance and improvement of regulatory compliance
• Process referrals for and chair all original, re-evaluation, and emergency placement team meetings; develop Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) for these students, including transition for students with disabilities beginning at age 14; secure parent signatures for these plans; chair annual review meetings until such time as the Boston School Committee has satisfied its bargaining obligations to have Special Education Teachers and Related Service Providers chair the annual review meetings, and provide teachers and other service providers as appropriate with copies of IEPs at the beginning of each year and when changes occur thereafter
• Consult with and support special education teachers and related service providers in their responsibilities to chair annual reviews and develop IEPs for these students when the Boston School Committee has satisfied its bargaining obligations to have Special Education Teachers and Related Service Providers chair the annual review meetings.
• Chair team meetings for students with disabilities served in private placements who may be returning to Boston Public Schools
• Chair Section 504 eligibility meetings and develop 504 accommodation plans
• Collaborate with the Principal/Headmaster in aligning student schedules with IEPs and 504 plans
• Collaborate with the Principal/Headmaster, and the teachers and related service providers, to manage activities relating to compliance with all state and federal special education regulations and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act,
• scheduling of assessments and meetings
• consents from parents
• notices and invitations to families and providers
• presenting and tracking IEPs
• monitoring for parent signatures
• progress reports from teachers and service providers
• management reports and other required reports
• older transfer and maintenance
• Participate in dispute resolution meetings, hearings and mediation settlement meetings as needed                    
• Medicaid reimbursement activities (Parent Consents, Random Moments, EasyTrac)
• Perform other duties related to this job description as required by the school Principal/Headmaster or other immediate supervisor
• Participate in regular organizational meetings and professional development activities provided by Office of Special Education (OSE)

Knowledge, Skills & Characteristics:

Qualifications - Required:

• Valid MA DESE Teaching License in Special Education (Moderate Disabilities or Severe Disabilities), MA DESE License in School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor, or MA DESE License in School Psychologist, or MA DESE License in Speech-Language Pathology.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and professional experience with Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Regulations, the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
• Knowledge of and professional experience in special education, including the IEP process, special education instructional programs, collaboration with special education professionals, and building positive, supportive relationships with parents of students with special needs.
• Demonstrated capability to work collaboratively with school administrators, direct service providers, families, students, and outside partners.
• Three years successful experience in an urban school system or urban human service setting.
• Excellent problem solving, communication, and organizational skills.
• Strong commitment to culturally responsive teaching
• Possess the core competencies of excellent teaching including charisma, compassion and intellectual curiosity
• Have a commitment to working with the families of our students and with parenting students
• Adhere to BDEA’s Non-Discrimination Policy (see below)

Qualifications - Preferred:

• Master’s Degree in Special Education or a related field.
• Administrative/supervisory certification and experience in educational setting(s), preferably special education.
• Urban special education teaching or related service experience.
• Experience using the Special Education Information Management System (SEIMS).
• BPS values linguistic diversity and believes that candidates who speak another language bring added value to the classroom, school, and district culture and diversity. BPS is particularly interested in candidates who are fluent in one of BPS' official languages: Spanish, Creole (Cape Verdean), Creole (Haitian), Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, & Somali.
• Prior work or volunteer experience with non-traditional students in an alternative setting
• A sense of humor

Terms: BTU, Group 1, Full-Time

As a Horace Mann Charter School, teachers and staff are paid a competitive salary in accordance with the Boston Public Schools. Please refer to www.bostonpublicschools.org/ohc (under "Employee Benefits and Policies") for more information on salary and compensation.  Salaries are listed by Unions and Grade/Step. As a condition for employment, BDEA staff are required to sign an Election To Work Agreement (ETWA) annually, which details the terms and conditions for the work year at the school.  While the school generally follows the BPS calendar, it requires additional planning time before, after or during the year, as agreed upon in the ETWA. All staff will work on campus. Hours for the COSE will be 8:20- 3:15 pm, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Wednesdays and Fridays are from  8:20 am – 3:30 pm. Common planning time, program, department and committee meetings, and professional development take place on Wednesdays and Fridays, generally between 1:30 - 3:30 pm. 

Application Procedure

Apply through Boston Public Schools’ Human Capital website: https://bostonpublicschools.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx (put Boston Day and Evening Academy in the search bar)

Boston Day and Evening Academy, in accordance with its non-discrimination and zero tolerance policy, does not discriminate in its programs, activities, facilities, employment and educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, disability, sex/gender, gender identity or expression, religious beliefs, national origin, ancestry, retaliation, sexual orientation, genetics or military status and does not tolerate any form of intimidation, threat, coercion and/or harassment that insults the dignity of others and interferes with their freedom to learn or work.