Special Programs Manager

Job Description

Required Certificates and Licenses

• Appropriate state Department of Education Special Education Certification Required

Residency Requirement

• This position is remote and strongly prefers candidates that reside in Louisiana.

  • Must be able to attend in person PDs, testing, and other school events.

K12, a Stride Company, believes in Education for ANY ONE. We provide families an online option for a high-quality, personalized education experience. Students can thrive, find their passion, and learn in an environment that encourages discovery at their own pace.

Passionate Educators are needed at the Stride K12 partner school, Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy (LAVCA). We want you to be a part of our talented team!

The mission of Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy (LAVCA) is to provide an exemplary individualized and engaging educational experience for students by incorporating school and community/family partnerships coupled with a rigorous curriculum along with a data-driven and student-centered instructional model. Student success will be measured by valid and reliable assessment data, parent and student satisfaction, and continued institutional growth within the academic community. Join us!

The Special Programs Manager develops and implements policies and procedures and oversees all matters related to special education for the school. The role also assists the Head of School with developing and implementing more general academic policies and procedures and with school operations.

Essential Functions, Duties and Responsibilities:  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• Develops, implements, and disseminates “best practices” for special education policies and procedures in collaboration with school leadership;

• Supports the school’s administration and teachers in providing training on and implementation of special education program and services Creates and maintains appropriate contacts with district(s), intermediate units, and state special education leaders in order to ensure continued compliance of special education programs and represent the school throughout the state in meetings and trainings related to the implementation of special education programs;

• Develops contracts with service providers to provide related services to students and supports full implementation of the related services database to track related services in order to ensure all eligible students are receiving services and that the cost of those services are reported correctly;

• Oversees the development, compliance, maintenance, and implementation of all Review of Exiting Data (RED), Multidisciplinary Evaluation and Eligibility Group Summary (MEEGS), and Individualized Education Plans (IEP);

• Ensures fiscal compliance for special programs including IDEA Part B funds and compliance with all school, local, state, and federal reporting related to special education,

• Works with the Test Coordinator to ensure that all students receive appropriate accommodations during state testing;

• Works with K12 enrollment team to develop processes for ensuring timely identification and enrollment of students with special needs;

• Proactively communicates all changes in local, state and/or federal special education practices and laws to the Head of School;

• Ensures that special education students are integrated in all school activities and that general education and special education teachers and administrative staff work collaboratively to ensure academic success for all students;

• Collects data for internal studies of special education Works directly with parents and students (both regular and special education) where necessary.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Directly supervises 5-10 Full-time Equivalent (FTE) employees and/or contractors, e.g. Related Service Coordinator, School Psychologist, and Speech Therapist, Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems

OTHER Duties & Responsibilities:  The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position.  This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities and/or duties required; other duties may be assigned. 

• Participates in the school's self-evaluation programs

Minimum Required Qualifications:   

• Bachelor's degree AND

• Three (3) years of special education teaching experience OR

• Equivalent combination of education and experience

Certificates and Licenses:

• Special Education Teacher Certification AND

• Early Childhood OR Elementary Education OR Middle or Secondary Education in Math OR Science OR Language Arts Teacher Certification

OTHER REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Project management experience

• Strong interpersonal skills with both in-person and electronic communication platforms and a customer service orientation

• Able to read data and determine what steps are needed to assist students academically and behaviorally, as a whole and on an individual basis

• Able to apply adult instructional methods in the training and development of staff

• Communicates effectively both orally and in writing

• Demonstrates the use of good judgment in decision-making

• Understanding of applicable sections of the State Education Code and other pertinent regulations

• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time to school office to review files, work with office staff, attend meetings, and the like if not office based.

• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time within and between assigned geographic areas to support students; proctor assessments, provide and attend professional development meetings and participate in school activities, open houses, orientations, and face-to-face enrollment meetings

• Willingness and ability to obtain additional licensing as required

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook as well as Internet research methods and report writing techniques; Utilizes computer software associated with curriculum and special education

• Ability to pass required background check

Desired Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree

• Supervisory certificate

• English as Second Language (ESL) certification and/or Reading or Math specialist endorsement

• Three (3) years of special education administration experience

Compensation & Benefits: Stride, Inc. considers a person’s education, experience, and qualifications, as well as the position’s work location, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value when determining a new employee’s salary level.  Salaries will differ based on these factors, the position’s level and expected contribution, and the employee’s benefits elections.  Offers will typically be in the bottom half of the range. 

• We anticipate the salary range to be $65,000.00 - $80,000.00.  Eligible employees may receive a bonus.  This salary is not guaranteed, as an individual’s compensation can vary based on several factors.  These factors include, but are not limited to, geographic location, experience, training, education, and local market conditions. Stride offers a robust benefits package for eligible employees that can include health benefits, retirement contributions, and paid time off. 

Work Environment:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This is a home-based position.

Job Type

The above job is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor. All employment is “at-will” as governed by the law of the state where the employee works.  It is further understood that the “at-will” nature of employment is one aspect of employment that cannot be changed except in writing and signed by an authorized officer.

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you can request the appropriate accommodation by contacting stridecareers@k12.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

Stride, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants receive consideration for employment based on merit without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Stride, Inc. complies with all legally required affirmative action obligations. Applicants will not be discriminated against because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.