Job Title: Director of Special Education
Wage/Hour Status: Exempt
Reports to: Chief Academic Officer
Pay Grade: AP PG 7
Dept./School: Special Education
Date Revised: 11/6/26
Primary Purpose: Direct and oversee districtwide special education programs and services to ensure high-quality instruction, effective service delivery, regulatory compliance, and improved educational outcomes for students with disabilities. Provide leadership in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of inclusive instructional practices, specialized programs, evaluation and eligibility processes, and individualized education programs (IEPs) in accordance with applicable federal, state, and district requirements. Qualifications: Education/Certification: - Master's degree
- Valid Texas teaching certificate
Special Knowledge/Skills: - Knowledge of federal and state special education laws, regulations, and compliance requirements
- Knowledge of special education instructional practices, inclusive service delivery models, and specially designed instruction
- Understanding of the academic, behavioral, and functional needs of students with disabilities
- Knowledge of special education evaluation, eligibility, ARD/IEP processes, and procedural safeguards
- Ability to provide instructional leadership and support continuous improvement of special education programs and services
- Ability to interpret student performance, program evaluation, and compliance data to inform decision-making
- Ability to develop and implement district policies, procedures, and improvement strategies
- Ability to manage departmental budgets, personnel, and resources effectively
- Ability to collaborate with district and campus leadership, staff, families, and community stakeholders
- Strong organizational, leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
Experience: - Five years teaching experience in special education
- Three years of campus or district-level leadership experience in special education preferred
Major Responsibilities and Duties: Instructional Leadership & Program Management - Provide leadership and oversight for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of districtwide special education programs and services to improve educational outcomes and meet the academic, behavioral, and functional needs of students with disabilities.
- Collaborate with Curriculum and Instruction leadership to ensure students receiving special education services have access to grade-level curriculum, high-quality Tier 1 instruction, and appropriate specially designed instruction aligned with state standards.
- Direct the implementation of inclusive instructional practices, including Inclusion/Co-Teaching (ICS), Resource, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), accessibility supports, and appropriate accommodations and modifications to promote access to grade-level instruction in the least restrictive environment.
- Oversee the continuum of special education programs and services, including specialized instructional settings, related services, and behavioral supports to meet individual student needs.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of special education instruction, interventions, programs, and services using student achievement data, progress toward IEP goals, compliance monitoring results, and program evaluation findings to guide continuous improvement.
- Monitor the delivery of special education services, instructional supports, and accommodations to ensure implementation of students' individualized education programs (IEPs).
- Oversee districtwide dyslexia identification, evaluation, eligibility, instructional services, and progress monitoring to ensure effective implementation and compliance with applicable state and federal requirements.
- Provide districtwide leadership and oversight of special education transition services, ensuring coordinated planning and implementation of individualized transition supports that prepare students with disabilities for postsecondary education, employment, and independent living.
- Direct and oversee the district's 18+ special education programs, ensuring appropriate instructional programming, community-based learning opportunities, and individualized services aligned with student needs, IEP goals, and postsecondary transition outcomes.
Program Oversight, Accountability & Compliance - Ensure districtwide special education programs, services, and compliance systems operate in accordance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and district policies.
- Establish departmental priorities, goals, and improvement strategies aligned with district initiatives, student performance expectations, and identified program needs.
- Monitor special education performance indicators and lead district improvement efforts, including Results Driven Accountability (RDA) planning, implementation, and progress monitoring.
- Lead internal compliance monitoring, identify systemic risks, and oversee corrective action planning and implementation.
- Ensure required special education reports, records, and documentation are accurately completed, maintained, and submitted.
- Oversee the district's School Health and Related Services (SHARS) program, ensuring compliance with applicable federal and state requirements, accurate service documentation, appropriate Medicaid reimbursement practices, and effective coordination with district departments and service providers.
Referral, Evaluation, Eligibility & ARD/IEP Oversight - Oversee districtwide Child Find, special education referral, evaluation, and reevaluation processes to ensure timely identification, comprehensive assessments, and appropriate documentation.
- Oversee processes for interpreting evaluation data and supporting informed ARD committee decisions regarding eligibility, programming, and services.
- Supervise and monitor admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) processes districtwide to ensure appropriate development, documentation, implementation, and review of individualized education programs.
- Ensure procedural safeguards, required timelines, and legal requirements related to special education evaluation, eligibility, placement, and services are implemented consistently across campuses.
- Oversee implementation of least restrictive environment (LRE) requirements, ARD committee placement decisions, and the continuum of special education services.
- Participate in ARD meetings and other student-centered decision-making processes as needed to support complex cases, resolve concerns, and ensure appropriate services.
Compliance Monitoring, Risk Management & Dispute Resolution - Manage and respond to special education complaints, grievances, and formal concerns, coordinating resolution in accordance with applicable requirements.
- Coordinate mediation, due process hearings, and other formal dispute resolution processes in collaboration with district leadership and legal counsel.
- Serve as the primary district contact for external special education compliance inquiries, investigations, and monitoring activities.
Budget, Resources & Operational Planning - Administer the special education department budget and strategically allocate personnel, financial resources, and materials to support effective programs and services.
- Oversee contracted and external special education services to ensure appropriate service delivery and accountability.
Personnel Management & Professional Learning - Direct, supervise, and evaluate assigned special education administrators, coordinators, and personnel to ensure effective departmental operations.
- Participate in the recruitment, selection, assignment, development, and retention of special education personnel, making recommendations regarding staffing and organizational needs.
- Lead and coordinate professional learning for special education personnel and campus leaders to strengthen instructional practices, inclusive service delivery, evaluation procedures, ARD/IEP processes, and compliance with applicable requirements.
- Prepare, review, and revise departmental job descriptions and establish clear performance expectations for assigned personnel.
Parent, Campus & Community Communication - Collaborate with campus administrators and instructional leaders to support effective implementation of special education instructional practices, service delivery models, and individualized student supports.
- Establish and maintain effective communication with parents and families regarding special education programs, services, evaluation processes, placement considerations, and student support needs.
- Collaborate with district departments, community agencies, and external service providers to coordinate services and support successful educational outcomes for students with disabilities.
General Employee Requirements: - Quality of Work - complete assignments meeting quality standards, to include accuracy, neatness, thoroughness and adherence to standards and safety rules.
- Quantity of Work - demonstrate the ability to manage several responsibilities simultaneously, perform work in a productive and timely manner, and meet work schedules.
- Work Habits - display a positive, cooperative attitude toward work assignments, working diligently to accomplish tasks assigned.
- Communication - communicate in a positive manner with others, to include listening and responding appropriately, expressing ideas orally and in writing in a manner that helps build a positive climate for the organization.
- Dependability - adhere to time frames, monitor projects and exercise follow-through, be on time for meetings and appointments, and respond appropriately to instructions and procedures.
- Cooperation - work well with co-workers and supervisors as a contributing team member, demonstrate consideration of and maintain rapport with others, and help others willingly.
- Initiative - seek and assume greater responsibility, monitor projects independently as required, and follow through appropriately.
- Adaptability - adjust well to any change in duties, procedures, supervisors or work environment, accept new ideas and approaches to work, and respond appropriately to constructive criticism and suggestions for work improvement.
- Judgment - effectively analyze problems, determine appropriate action for solutions, and use logical thinking to exhibit timely and decisive action.
- Attendance - attend work on a consistent basis, taking care to consider the use and number of absences in accordance with policy so that the organization is not negatively impacted.
- Punctuality - arrive to work and depart from work according to department and district requirements
Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervise and evaluate the performance of professional and support staff in the Special Education department.
Working Conditions: Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors: Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals
Posture: Prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, twisting
Motion: Repetitive hand motions, frequent keyboarding and use of mouse
Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds)
Environment: Frequent districtwide travel; occasional statewide travel
Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress
The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.
