Special Education Coordinator/504 Coordinator - Grand Peak Academy

Grand Peak Academy (GPA) is a kindergarten-eighth grade classical, Core Knowledge public charter school committed to providing excellent educational opportunities to students in Northeast Colorado Springs. GPA offers a holistic classical approach to education that implements rigorous academic instruction in conjunction with an active classroom. Our model challenges students to think critically and take active roles in their classrooms and communities. This results in higher achievement and greater engagement in school. Our school gives students the academic and character-building skills they need as learners and leaders.

Purpose statement

Grand Peak Academy is seeking a Special Education Coordinator/504 Coordinator for the 2024-2025 school year! These individuals will join a committed team of educators to strengthen the foundation of an extraordinary school. In their daily practice, GPA interventionists will improve the educational outcomes for students, cultivate a culture that encourages young learners and leaders, and leverage data and evidence-based practices.

Qualifications

• Prefer prior experience as a special education teacher in a K-12 public school setting
• Requires completion of an approved program for the preparation of special education generalists from a regionally accredited college or university or 24 hours as determined by the CDE
• Requires passing scores on both Elementary Education (PLACE 01 or Praxis #5018 or Praxis #5001 with passing scores on all subtests) and Special Education Generalist (PLACE 20 or Praxis #5354 content exams
• Holds a CDE-issued Special Education Generalist or Special Education Specialist license

The following statements of duties, responsibilities, frequency, and percentages are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. These statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required of all personnel within this position. Actual duties, responsibility, frequency, and percentages may vary depending on other factors.

Essential Duties and Role-Specific Responsibilities

• Provide specialized individual and group instruction to students with a range of academic, vision, hearing, physical, communicative, social, emotional and/or behavioral challenges
• Employs various research-based teaching techniques, methods and principles of learning to enable students to meet their IEP goals.
• Administer and interpret a variety of standardized and non-standardized academic assessments to assist with special education and 504 eligibility determinations according to D49, Federal, and State regulations and procedures
• Assist team members in developing and implementing IEPs as appropriate
• Assist with conducting functional behavior assessments and developing behavior intervention plans with the assistance other team members
• Assist with the implementation and monitoring of behavior intervention plans
• Observe students in classroom and unstructured settings as needed to conduct evaluations, monitor student interventions and to provide staff consultation
• Provide consultation to classroom teachers regarding classroom adaptations, instructional modifications, assistive technology, behavior modification plans and other similar instructional interventions to meet the needs of students with disabilities
• Participate in the school's MTSS/RtI processes to design, implement, and monitor student response to research-based interventions for targeted academic, social, emotional and behavioral needs
• Direct the services of educational assistants and coach them to implement accommodations, behavior plans and instructional services as per IEPs
• Implement a comprehensive transition program that includes instruction in transition skills, ongoing assessment and meaningful transition activities for secondary students
• Coordinate community agencies and resources to assist in meeting transition goals of secondary students

Additional Responsibilities

• Manage caseload of students with IEPs by tracking and following all IEP timelines, sending parents notices of meetings and securing consents, setting IEP meeting dates with all team members
• Complete assessments, evaluation reports, behavior plans and progress reports within expected timelines
• Establish and maintain student control and discipline in the classroom, school premises or during school activities
• Employ and implement a classroom structure and consistency to encourage student responsibility, cooperation and mutual respect consistent with district policies and procedures
• Collaborate and consult with educational professionals and community service providers (i.e., social services, public health, medical providers etc.) regarding the needs of students
• Maintain direct service logs for all students on caseload
• Thoroughly review student records including, but not limited to, prior IEPs, evaluations, achievement data, discipline, and attendance to assist with development of IEPs, choose evaluation tools, and assist with manifestation determination reviews
• Serve as the Special Education Director Designee for IEP meetings when requested
• Enter all academic assessment, achievement, progress monitoring data, evaluation reports, behavior plans, and other relevant information into the school's electronic IEP/504 system as appropriate

504 Coordinator Job Description and Responsibilities

The 504 Coordinator should have a working knowledge of current laws, regulations, and guidelines related to disability discrimination in public schools, including Section 504, as well as rules and guidelines adopted by the Colorado Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

The 504 Coordinator shall:

• Provide support in the coordination and implementation of 504 policies and procedures
• Ensure effective implementation of consistent Section 504 procedures
• Develop and follow a continuous improvement and monitoring process for Section 504 data
• Ensure there is a system in the building for responding to 504 concerns in a timely and appropriate manner
• Serve as a resource for teachers and families regarding Section 504
• Ensure staff understand their responsibilities under Section 504
• Continuously review Section 504/ADA practices
• Stay abreast of state and federal laws, regulations, and guidelines related to disability discrimination, Section 504 and Title II of the ADA, by attending regular training and participating in ongoing professional development opportunities
• Coordinate responses to OCR investigations
• Attend appropriate meetings, trainings, 504 meetings, and/or parent conferences
• Maintain building records and documentation for all students eligible under Section 504
• Ensure the implementation of Section 504 procedures in the school building, including:

o Coordinating referrals

o Determining appropriate Section 504 team composition and participating on Section 504 teams as needed

o Facilitating Section 504 evaluations and development of Section 504 plans

o Providing notices and documenting parental consent

o Distributing Section 504 plans to appropriate staff

o Monitoring the implementation of Section 504 plans

o Scheduling annual reviews of each Section 504 plan

o Scheduling period re-evaluations of all students eligible under Section 504

o Assuring that Section 504 plans move with the student to the next grade level and to new schools

o Coordinating training of building staff on Section 504 requirements

o Conducting manifestation determinations when required for students eligible under Section 504

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Familiarity with Federal, State and D49 guidelines for special education and 504
• Expertise with a wide range of standardized and informal assessment procedures including progress monitoring tools
• Expertise with research-based instructional programs and strategies in the areas of literacy and math
• Knowledge of research-based academic and behavioral interventions
• Ability to effectively communicate effectively in oral and written form
• Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with team members

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk; climb stairs, sit; use hands for fine manipulation, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms using a keyboard and video display terminal. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee may be asked to intervene with students with behavioral challenges. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

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. The work environment is a school setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Mental Functions:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use interpersonal skills. Frequently required to compare, analyze, communicate, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate and negotiate. Occasionally required to copy and compile.

Note

This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.

Compensation:

We offer a competitive compensation package, which includes comprehensive health benefits.

Salary Range: $50,141-$65,464

This position will be for the 2024-2025 school year