Dean of Student Support (Special Education)

The Dean of Student Support Services (DSS) is responsible for ensuring that all students receiving special education services receive comprehensive, compassionate, and equitable services in order to achieve significant academic gains for all of our students with IEPs.

The Dean of Student Support will lead the implementation, and management of KNOS Special Education Program, policies, and procedures, and work collaboratively with all Student Support Teammates (Social Workers, Psychologists, MTSS Coordinators and SLPs), Service Providers and families to provide a strong educational program for all KIPPsters.

Key DSS Leadership Skills:

• Ability to execute consistent and effective coaching cycle with specialized programs coaching focus)

• Ability to develop continuum-aligned and targeted schedules for self, SPED teachers, and related service providers that drive urgent academic & compliance outcomes

• Ability to manage a multidisciplinary team  to generate IEP aligned outcomes for students (SPED Teachers, Social Worker, ESL Teacher, SLP & Psychologist- in collaboration with Regional Manager)

• Ability to navigate SPED Specific & KNOS Data Platforms (SER to manage & maintain student records & Tableau & Powerschool)

• Establish & maintain organization systems for IEP Meetings & IEP Student Records maintenance (SER/Binders)

• Establish & execute system audits for IEP Meetings & Student Records (SER/Binders)

• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with school based leadership team members to problem solve and ensure the fidelity of individualized plans (IEPs, 504s, BIPs, etc.) 

• Ability to communicate and collaborate with families to ensure deep partnership & transparency in supporting student with IEP

• Maintain a pulse on the health of all diverse learner programming including instruction, behavior, social/emotional progress, and adaptive skill development

Dean of Student Support Instructional Duties:

• Engage in observation, real-time coaching & feedback cycle for specialized settings on Instructional Coaching caseload

• Plan, Prepare and execute weekly coaching check-ins with teachers of specialized settings 

• Develop, maintain, and audit SPED Teacher schedules to ensure continuum-aligned instructional minutes mirror IEP program services  

• Develop, maintain, and audit Related Service Provider schedules to ensure instructional minutes align with IEP program services

Dean of Student Support Compliance Duties:

• Train Special Education teachers on how to effectively write an IEP and monitor progress to goal

• Facilitate IEP meetings within timeline

• Provide feedback to case-managers on 100% of IEPs before entering and finalizing in SER 

• Develop, maintain, and share IEP calendar with all key stakeholders to ensure case managers are able to complete 100% of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in timeline  

• Develop and execute a cycle of weekly/bi-weekly student service log audits including reviews of recent IEP meeting paperwork to ensure ongoing compliance. Ensure that all teachers and leaders are aware of scholars ELL, IEP and 504 accommodations and have visible structures to implement with fidelity 

• Collaborate w/ MTSS Team to develop & monitor 504 plans & organize & communicate accommodations to all teachers, families & administrators 

• Manage service providers through regular check-ins to ensure all compliance outcomes within timeline

• Collaborate with Psychologists to meet all evaluation deadlines and remove barriers through regular  check-ins

• Lead teams to meet schoolwide compliance outcomes.

• Collaborate with SOL to coordinate & problem solve ongoing Special Transportation challenges (Special Transportation is owned by School based DSO) 

Dean of Student Support Discipline Duties:

• Collaborate with Leadership Team to consult on and monitor suspensions of all students with IEPs & execute MDR Meeting when any students exceed 10 suspensions

• Collaborate with MTSS Team and write behavior Intervention plans and attend all FBA/BIP Meetings

• Advocating for ability to engage and model restorative approaches to discipline with students, families and teachers serving students diverse learners with IEPs

Key Sped Compliance Leadership Responsibilities:

• 10/1: 100% SPED students within jurisdiction & meet compliance requirements

• 2/1: 100% SPED students within jurisdiction & meet compliance requirements

• LEAP Connect Assessment Qualifications & Administration: 100% SPED students who meet requirements qualify & complete LEAP Connect assessment 

• KNOS & State Testing Accommodations, Groupings & Administration: 100% SPED students receive IEP aligned  accommodations & complete all assessments

• Modification of KNOS Curriculum/Student Work: 100% SPED students receive IEP aligned modifications and accommodations in core content classes

In support of KIPP New Orleans Schools' commitment to providing a safe and orderly learning environment, all school-based employees are expected to perform the following essential functions, with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Maintain active supervision of students in classrooms, hallways, common areas, and other school settings as assigned to ensure student safety and well-being.

 

• Be physically present and engaged in assigned work locations during the scheduled workday to fulfill responsibilities requiring in-person interaction with students, families, and colleagues.

 

• Respond appropriately to school emergencies and actively participate in emergency response procedures, including but not limited to evacuations, lockdowns, shelter-in-place, reunification, and other crisis protocols.

 

• Support student and staff safety by implementing established behavioral expectations and utilizing de-escalation strategies when appropriate, consistent with district policies and training.

 

• Maintain situational awareness and communicate promptly with school leadership and emergency personnel during safety incidents.

 

• Participate in required safety, emergency preparedness, and crisis response training.

• IEP Meetings: 100% of IEP meetings are held within timelines & all documentation is completed and organized in Students Records (SER & Binder)

• Student Records: Digitize, organize & maintain compliance student records for 100% of sped students