Program Manager, Special Education

Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) is Ohio's third-largest public school system, serving over 35,000 students. They are seeking a Special Education Program Manager (K-12) to provide specialized instruction and accommodations to students with exceptionalities, ensuring access to support and a welcoming educational environment.

Responsibilities:

• Design curriculum, resources, and instructional protocols that are aligned to Universal Design for Learning principles and evidence-based, high-leverage practices in special education
• Design and deliver professional learning in support of high-leverage practices that is grounded in data, adult learning principles, and equity
• Support intervention specialists, paraprofessionals, and other school staff in their implementation of high-leverage practices through non-evaluative coaching, modeling, and co-planning as appropriate
• Support principals and school-based leaders to develop their understanding of and ability to monitor high-leverage practices through modeling, leadership coaching, and co-planning as appropriate
• Support assigned CMSD schools by: Communicating with families to help problem-solve when issues arise at the school level; Participating in Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team meetings upon request of parent or school or when decisions about District resources are required; Partnering with other network support team members from key central office departments to support school-based leaders in strategic planning and execution of their schools’ Academic Achievement Plans; Assisting in the transitions of students from PreK to Kindergarten, from 8th to 9th grade, and from secondary to postsecondary life
• Implement data-driven planning cycles to support IEP team decision-making with the intent of maximizing student inclusion while meeting individual needs
• In collaboration with the Student Services and Teaching & Learning divisions, implement and monitor high-quality, grade-level curriculum in each subject area that is scaffolded and/or adapted to meet the needs of all learners
• Monitor academic and functional student performance data for students with disabilities; help partner schools develop improvement strategies that will close achievement and performance gaps
• With other Special Education Department staff, serve on ad hoc work groups focusing on specific populations (PreK-8, High School, Intensive Academic Support, Low Incidence/Autism, etc.) or specific bodies of work (ELA curriculum, protocols and procedures, secondary transition, etc.); execute on action items determined by the team
• Manage and complete projects as assigned by the executive director

Requirements:

• Master's degree in Special Education or related field
• At least 5 years of experience as an Intervention Specialist, Special Education Teacher, and/or administrator
• Ohio Intervention Specialist License or Professional Teaching License OR Ohio Licensure in Pupil Services Administration
• A strong commitment to the students in CMSD and a personal sense of accountability around the ultimate success of the CMSD transformation
• Deep knowledge of the issues and dynamics of inequity in education and passion for CMSD's mission
• Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of school staff in developing, implementing, and monitoring students' individualized education plans
• Ability to provide objective feedback on special education programming, compliance, and implementation
• Knowledge of laws relevant to special education (IDEIA, Ohio Operating Standards, FERPA/HIPAA)
• Proven experience working collaboratively in a team-oriented environment
• Results-driven, with excellent planning and organizing skills
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including experience navigating difficult and emotional conversations
• Proven success with overcoming significant barriers to meet goals in a fast-paced and changeable environment
• Ability to critically assess challenges and identify flexible, effective solutions
• Ability to perform multifaceted tasks with minimum supervision