Special Education Specialist, MN Regional Center of Excellence
Posted: Continuous
2012-06-20
Available: July 1, 2012
Closes: 06/29/2012
Southeast Service Cooperative
This newly created Regional Center of Excellence will serve identified schools in the 11 southeast counties and 7 Twin Cities/Metro counties of Minnesota.
JOB
SUMMARY: The purpose
of the Special Education Specialist position is to provide technical assistance
support in the Minnesota Department of Education's (MDE) regional Centers of
Educational Excellence in the coordinated improvement efforts for all students,
including students with disabilities. These regional support centers will serve
as the Statewide System of Support (SSOS) and provide leadership teams in Focus
and Priority schools with the basic components of continuous school
improvement, including needs assessment, data analysis, standards alignment,
instructional strategies, formative assessment, and instructional leadership
specific to the needs of the schools. In addition, this specialist will assist
leadership teams in setting goals, developing professional learning teams,
effectively managing change, building intentional cultures and improving
communication; to enhance instructional leaders' capacity to support, promote,
lead, and sustain professional learning that improves both teaching practices
and learning outcomes for all students, including those with disabilities. The regional
specialist will collaborate with other Center staff, Department of Education
personnel, and school leadership teams to determine the most appropriate and
impactful course of action, and build statewide capacity in the Common
Principles of Effective Practice (CPEP) and State Implementation and Scaling-up
of Evidence-based Practices (SISEP).
RESPONSIBILITIES:-
Participate
in learning communities and professional organizations to network with other
professionals and continue to expand knowledge and skills necessary to support
system-wide change.
- Model
and support best practices in instruction, assessment, supplemental programs,
and out of school support for students with disabilities.
- Identify
and change instructional practices and characteristics of school culture that
do not fully support engagement of students with disabilities as learners who
are able to achieve at high academic levels.
-
Consult
with local school administrators, special education staff, and other
representatives to identify technical assistance needs relating program
administration to develop and implement evidence-based practices with
demonstrated effectiveness.
-
Identify
school practices that have a disparate impact on the instructional time
delivered to students with disabilities not meeting expectations on one of the
state assessments, and work to eliminate barriers that deny them access to
rigorous instruction.
- Identify
critical program issues in special education needing research, analysis,
evaluation and/or policy development.
-
Provide
models that ensure access to academic standards for students with disabilities.
- Align
common goals and activities across school and district improvement plans.
- Provide
expertise in school improvement research related to students with disabilities,
including promising innovations and evidence-based practices in curriculum,
instruction, assessment, professional development, leadership, learning
environment, and school-college partnerships.
- Collect
and synthesize data to assess needs of individual and regional schools relative
to standards-based reforms, curriculum and instruction, classroom assessment,
progress monitoring, professional development, teacher quality, school
leadership and other education program and school improvement issues.
- Develop
and implement staff development opportunities based upon identified needs,
including coaching and technical assistance to support implementation.
- Apply
knowledge of access and prevention frameworks, including universal design for
learning (UDL), accessible instructional materials (AIM), and the use of
accommodations and assistive technology to improve students’ access to
instruction.
-
Represent
MDE's strategic initiatives, programs, services and resources to education
organizations and other stakeholder groups.
Qualifications
and Skills required for this position:
-
Licensed
in one or more areas of special education and a minimum of five years'
experience in various schools and districts, and with multiple age levels
(elementary, middle or high school), dual licensure in a general education
field, such as elementary education, and administrative licensure.
- Comprehensive
and technically-accurate knowledge of federals laws (including the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act (ESEA), state statutes and state rules regarding students with
disabilities.
- Ability
to effectively interact with people of diverse backgrounds within the community
and educational settings; and motivate others to share responsibility for improving
educational outcomes for all students, including students with disabilities.
- Experience
working in all IDEA disability areas; and knowledge of the licensure structure
for special educators in Minnesota, and a wide range of service delivery models
and providers.
-
Ability
to gather, organize, synthesize, and present information to diverse audiences
and provide technical assistance and coaching experiences to educators.
-
Experience
working collaboratively with a variety of general and special educators to lead
school improvement initiatives.
- Knowledge
of Minnesota Academic Standards and assessment options for students with
disabilities; and experience in developing standards-based individual education
programs.
- Knowledge
of current research and evidence-based practices and the ability to use data to
improve instruction and achievement for students with disabilities.
- Experience
in a multi-tiered system of support framework, such as Response to Intervention
or Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.
- Knowledge
of implementation practices such as CPEP and use of the SISEP approach.
- Ability
to communicate effectively orally and in writing, with all levels of LEA staff,
Regional staff, MDE staff and the general public.
Other needed skills:
Technology literacy and computer experience with word processing and
other software.
Physical requirements:
Able to lift and carry light loads (up to approximately 20 lbs); able to
sit for extended period of time and work at a computer and/or desk. Good driving record and ability to travel to
meetings, mostly across southeast Minnesota and the Twin Cities/Metro area.
REPORTS TO:
Regional Center of Excellence
Director.
COMPENSATION:
Commensurate with industry standards and local market, based primarily on
experience and training and within Southeast Service Cooperative wage and
benefit guidelines. Anticipated range
$60,000 - $75,000. Benefit details
provided if interviewed.
Southeast Service Cooperative is an Equal Employment
Opportunity Employer.
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