Director of Special Education

Job Description

Paul Cuffee School, a K-12 public charter school of choice, educates a diverse community of students from the City of Providence, Rhode Island. We respect each individual and the world we share. This quality of our community is central to our mission. In the spirit of Paul Cuffee's life, we teach students to value and practice personal initiative, perseverance, and social responsibility. Our School accomplishes these goals through a rigorous academic program which, enriched with maritime experiences, fosters discovery and critical thinking. We prepare students for higher education, lifelong learning, and active citizenship. To learn more about our school, please visit us at www.paulcuffee.org

Reports to: Assistant Superintendent

Status: Exempt

Hours: Full-time, 12-month

Position Summary

The Director of Special Education is a district-level leader responsible for ensuring high-quality, compliant, and equitable special education services across the three schools of the Paul Cuffee Charter School District. The Director provides instructional leadership, oversees program management and compliance, and fosters collaboration between general and special education staff to ensure that all students with disabilities have access to rigorous learning in the least restrictive environment.

Responsibilities/duties include, but are not limited to:

1. Instructional Leadership & Program Oversight

• Serve as LEA for team meetings.
  
• Implement and monitor all special education programming in compliance with IDEA, Rhode Island General Laws, and RIDE regulations.
  
• Ensure students with disabilities have access to the general education curriculum in the least restrictive environment
  
• Collaborate with school principals and staff to ensure effective delivery of services and support to students
  
• Partner with school leaders and teachers to strengthen co-teaching, differentiated instruction, and evidence-based interventions
  
• Oversee the Extended School Year (ESY) program, DLM assessments, state testing accommodations, and accessibility of digital learning platforms and assistive technologies.
  
• Serve as District 504 Coordinator, aligning practices and ensuring compliance with 504 Plans.

2. Data, Accountability & Compliance

• Analyze student data to evaluate program effectiveness and align special education goals with district improvement plans.
  
• Identify and address disparities in identification, placement, and outcomes.
  
• Maintain accurate, confidential student records and serve as LEA representative for IEP and evaluation meetings.
  
• Ensure compliance with federal and state reporting requirements and oversee Medicaid reimbursement activities.
  
• Stay informed of relevant legislation and communicate updates to school leaders.
  
• Serve as District Test Coordinator for DLM and Alternate ACCESS and responsible for accommodations for all state assessments.

3. Leadership & Profesional Development

• Recruit, hire, onboard, supervise, coach and evaluate special education staff, including the Special Education Administrative Assistant, special education teachers, speech therapists, occupational therapists, and other related service providers.
  
• Conduct needs assessments and facilitate professional learning for general and special education staff related to special education.
  
• Foster collaboration and shared accountability between general and special education teams.
  
• Model integrity, empathy, reflection, high expectations, responsiveness, and clear communication.

4. Student Support & MTSS Coordination

• Collaborate on districtwide MTSS implementation and coordinate across general education, 504, and special education services. Provide consultation to MTSS teams.
  
• Support behavior intervention plans and crisis response protocols.

5. Family & Community Engagement

• Build trusting relationships with families and provide clear information on rights and services.
  
• Facilitate Parent Advisory Committee meetings and coordinate with community agencies and service providers.

6. Budget, Resources & Continuous Improvement

• Develop, monitor, and manage the special education budget, ensuring alignment with instructional priorities.
  
• Maintain departmental records, lead improvement initiatives, and communicate effectively with all stakeholders.
  
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Assistant Superintendent.

Job Requirements

Education & Experience

• Master's Degree in Education required
  
• Valid Rhode Island District Level Administrator - Special Education Certificate, or demonstrated eligibility to obtain it, required
  
• Minimum of five years of teaching experience is required; in urban setting, preferred
  
• Demonstrated knowledge of IDEA, special education best practices, and inclusive education models
  
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills

Other

• National background check (after offer)
  
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Working Conditions

• Regular interactions with students, staff, families, and community agencies
  
• Requires attendance after school hours at meetings, trainings, or events
  
• Requires the ability to manage multiple priorities and work collaboratively across schools
  
• Ability to move between school buildings
  
• Frequently required to sit
  
• Must occasionally lift, push, or pull items weighing up to 40 pounds

Welcome to ATX Learning

Established in 2001, Paul Cuffee School is a K-12 public charter school of choice that educates a diverse community of more than 800 students from the City of Providence, Rhode Island. We respect each individual and the world we share. This quality of our community is central to our mission, which is as follows: In the spirit of Paul Cuffee's life, we teach students to value and practice personal initiative, perseverance, and social responsibility. Our School accomplishes these goals through a rigorous academic program which, enriched with maritime experiences, fosters discovery and critical thinking. We prepare students for higher education, lifelong learning, and active citizenship.

Students are admitted by a state mandated, randomized public lottery. Siblings and children of employees who live in Providence are given a waiting list preference. More than 90% of our predominantly low-income urban population identifies as BIPOC, and 13% have diagnosed special needs. Social and civic responsibility, life-long learning, and academic achievement distinguish our community as does our inclusive school culture, small class sizes and differentiated instruction. In 2022, Paul Cuffee High School was ranked by US News and World Report among the top ten public high schools in Rhode Island. While we are proud of this recognition, we are committed to improving student outcomes every year and work together to ensure that every student is receiving high quality instruction, standards-aligned curriculum, and the educational resources and learning experiences they need to develop their full potential.