School Summary
Florida Connections Academy (FCA) is a tuition-free, online public charter school serving students in grades K-12. FCA is authorized by Hillsborough County Public Schools and is governed by an independent Board of Directors. The school is accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, the Northwest Accreditation Commission, and the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), which are accrediting divisions of Cognia.
Primary Responsibilities
This role is actively hiring for the 26-27 school year. Working from our office or your home office in Florida, the Assistant Manager of Special Education will support the Manager of Special Education to ensure that the school is providing appropriate programs in the least restrictive environment for all students with special needs. This will include management of the IEP process, communication with parents of students who have or who may have disabilities, engagement with related service providers throughout the state, and compliant operations with special education law and procedures at all times. It is preferred that this role is able to oversee students with IEPs and students in the Child Find process within the grade bands assigned (ES, MS, HS) additionally, depending on school need, this role may also support students with 504 plans and students who are gifted.
General Responsibilities
- Demonstrate a high level of integrity with transparency and accountability;
- Collaborate, serve, and engage with the Manager of Special Education, school leadership team, Pearson Online and Blended Learning (POBL) and authorizing district leaders;
- Actively participate in all school functions and activities, including state testing, marketing events, and field trips (traveling as requested);
- Supervise, manage and evaluate a team of special education teachers;
- Communicate with the Special Education Manager about the special education team;
- Ensure compliance with federal and state special education processes and timelines;
- Remain compliant and conduct all tasks related to state reporting, meeting state timelines;
- Remain current and knowledgeable about federal and state special education statutes, regulations, and policies;
- Conduct IEP team meetings within state mandated timelines for all students with disabilities, including meeting timelines for newly enrolled students;
- Implement Connections Academy special education and 504 procedures and protocols;
- Assist with supporting the Connections Academy Mission Statement, school goals and School Improvement Plan;
- Implement procedures for placement, evaluation, assignment and re-evaluation of students with regard to the special education services program;
- Oversee and/or implement all aspects of Child Find referrals, IEP development, diagnostic assessments, and annual reviews and re-evaluations.
- Implement and maintain a documentation system within the school’s IEP system and Connexus Learning Management System that captures and organizes all special education data;
- Conduct school-based special education related meetings collaboratively with the Manager of Special Education;
- Coordinate the delivery of IEP mandated academic and related services including contracted services;
- Oversee the development, tracking, dissemination and proper implementation of IEP-mandated accommodations for students with disabilities during state testing events;
- Collaborate with Pearson Online and Blended Learning staff and the local school team concerning all facets of programming for students with special needs, from identification to transition and dismissal;
- Work directly with parents, as needed, to answer questions and ensure that all school actions are in compliance, and in the interest of maximizing student learning in the Least Restrictive Environment;
- Oversee the instructional programming for students with exceptionalities, ensuring students make quantifiable progress on IEP goals and through their assigned curriculum;
- Develop a good working knowledge of Connections Academy’s curricular options, and how they can be adapted and implemented to meet specific student needs;
- Provide oversight of all aspects of Section 504 including: conducting meetings for new and returning students, developing and implementing 504 plans and ensuring accuracy of state testing accommodations;
- Provide oversight for all aspects of students identified as Gifted including: conducting meetings for new and returning students and ensuring student has the supports needed
- Plan, implement, and evaluate staff professional development activities, and;
- Perform other duties as assigned by the School Leader, Manager of Special Education and Pearson Online and Blended Learning (such as Special Education Administrative Services, Student Academic Services and Exceptional Student Services Consulting team)
Requirements
- Master's Degree in Special Education or a related field;
- Degree in Special Education required;
- Florida Special Education teacher certificate required;
- Willing to travel occasionally for testing, marketing, and training;
- Minimum 5 years teaching experience in Special Education required;
- Experience leading/supporting a Special Education program or parts of a Special Education program;
- Minimum of three years administrative or team leadership experience preferred;
- Demonstrated expertise in special education law and compliance;
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written;
- Strong customer-focused approach;
- Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced environment;
- Technologically proficient (especially with Microsoft Office products and Google products); strength with Microsoft Excel required
- Travel and attendance at in-person events, including State Testing is required throughout the school year, as determined by the school. This may require overnight travel
- Ability to work some occasional evening hours, as needed to support some families.
- Must be able to use a personal electronic device and an email address for two-step authentication.
