DOC

The Maya Angelou Academy at the DC Department of Corrections is an alternative school that serves incarcerated men and women aged 18-22 with individualized education plans. Located within the Central Treatment Facility, the school also supports students housed in the Central Detention Facility. Designed to meet the unique needs of justice-involved students requiring special education, the academy provides educational opportunities regardless of their academic history or current standing.

Position Overview

The Special Education Coordinator provides visionary leadership and oversight for all special education programming within a high school located inside an adult correctional facility. Serving a student population comprised entirely of students with disabilities, the Coordinator ensures full compliance with federal and district special education regulations while fostering a culture of high expectations, equity, trauma-informed practice, and individualized student success.

The Special Education Coordinator works collaboratively with instructional staff, related service providers, correctional personnel, district staff, and community agencies to ensure students receive high-quality specially designed instruction, transition planning, and support services that prepare them to earn a high school diploma and successfully reintegrate into their communities.

The Coordinator serves as both an instructional leader and compliance expert, balancing legal responsibilities with innovative educational programming designed specifically for incarcerated young adults.

Special Education Leadership:

Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the school's special education program. Supervise implementation of IDEA and district special education policies. Develop annual special education goals aligned with school improvement priorities. Monitor program effectiveness through data analysis and continuous improvement planning.

Compliance and Case Management:

Ensure full compliance with all timelines for evaluations, reevaluations, annual reviews, eligibility determinations, amendments, and transition planning. Monitor and audit all IEPs for quality, legal compliance, and instructional alignment. Ensure IEP services are implemented with fidelity. Maintain accurate documentation required for district reporting and compliance monitoring. Oversee student records while maintaining confidentiality and compliance with FERPA.

Attorney and Educational Advocate Collaboration:

Serve as the school's primary point of contact for attorneys, educational advocates, and other legally authorized student representatives regarding special education matters. Develop and maintain collaborative, professional relationships with legal representatives while ensuring compliance with IDEA, FERPA, and all applicable federal and district regulations. Respond promptly and professionally to requests for educational records, IEP documentation, evaluations, progress reports, and other legally permissible information. Coordinate and facilitate meetings involving attorneys, advocates, correctional staff, district personnel, related service providers, and school leadership. Collaborate with legal representatives to address concerns, resolve disputes, and promote positive outcomes for students while maintaining compliance with school policies and legal requirements. Prepare documentation and educational records in anticipation of due process hearings, mediations, state complaints, or other dispute resolution processes, working closely with district legal counsel and central office staff. Demonstrate professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment when navigating sensitive or legally complex educational matters.

Evaluation, Eligibility, and IEP Development:

Coordinate comprehensive special education evaluations and reevaluations. Collaborate with school psychologists, related service providers, and multidisciplinary teams. Facilitate eligibility meetings and ensure appropriate educational programming. Facilitate high-quality IEP meetings. Monitor progress reporting and annual goal attainment.

Staff Supervision and Professional Development:

Supervise special education teachers/case managers, interventionists, and instructional support staff (as assigned). Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance feedback. Plan and facilitate ongoing professional development on: IDEA compliance, IEP development, and transition planning.

Other Duties as Assigned:

Tasks that may not directly align with your job description but are vital and serve to maintain a safe and effective teaching and learning environment for scholars and staff.

Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in education or subject field (required), Master's degree (preferred)
• Must have or be eligible for initial certification by OSSE in the appropriate content area (must obtain initial certification within 1 year of employment)
• Minimum three years of successful special education teaching experience.
• Extensive knowledge of IDEA, FERPA, and applicable district special education regulations.
• Exceptional organization and project management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple compliance deadlines simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Experience working with opportunity or justice-involved youth (preferred)

Salary and Benefits

Maya Angelou Schools and See Forever Foundation salaries are comparable to those of other public charter schools in the District of Columbia area. In addition, we offer a robust benefits plan, including health care coverage, HSA/FSA and dependent care accounts, voluntary dental and vision, employer-paid short-term and long-term disability options, commuter benefits, a 401k retirement savings plan with employer contribution offered after 1 year of service, along with the opportunity to positively impact students with a broad range of experiences and backgrounds.

The pay range for this role is:

88,000 - 98,000 USD per year (MAA@ Department of Corrections)