Position type: Full time, exempt, 12 Month    Reporting & Collaboration​Direct Manager: VP of Academics & Instruction Direct Reports: Assistant Manager of Special EducationSupports:Manager of Special EducationSpecial Education CoordinatorsESOL TeachersRelated Service ProvidersParaprofessionalsAdditional Special Populations Team MembersKey Collaborators: School LeadersAcademic TeamStudent Services TeamSchool PsychologistsOperations TeamFamilies and Community PartnersCompliance and State AgenciesAutonomy & Decision Making:​The Director of Special Populations exercises significant independent judgment in the implementation, oversight, and continuous improvement of special populations programming across the network. This role independently leads compliance systems, staffing recommendations, programmatic improvements, instructional supports, and strategic planning aligned to organizational priorities and legal requirements.The Director is expected to proactively identify challenges, recommend solutions, and influence network-wide practices that improve outcomes for multilingual learners and students with disabilities.Inputs: What will I be doing in my day to day work?Program Leadership & Compliance Oversight:Lead the strategic design, implementation, and continuous improvement of special populations systems to ensure strong academic outcomes, equitable access, and high-quality service delivery for multilingual learners and students with disabilities across KIPP St. Louis.Ensure full compliance with IDEA, Section 504, Title III, Child Find, FAPE, LRE, and all federal, state, and local requirements related to special education and multilingual learner programming.Oversee the identification, evaluation, placement, accommodations, progress monitoring, and delivery of services to ensure students receive rigorous, standards-aligned instruction and appropriate supports in the least restrictive environment.Develop and monitor network-wide systems for MTSS alignment, intervention effectiveness, inclusion practices, and specialized instructional supports to improve student achievement and access to grade-level learning.Lead internal compliance audits, data reviews, and quality assurance processes to ensure timely completion of IEPs, evaluations, manifestation determinations, ACCESS testing, transition planning, and all required documentation.Serve as the LEA representative during IEP meetings, hearings, and compliance-related proceedings while proactively mitigating compliance risks and supporting strong family partnership practices.Monitor and strengthen student information systems, compliance platforms, and service tracking systems to ensure accurate reporting, documentation integrity, and data-driven decision making across schools.Instructional & Programmatic Excellence:Lead the development and execution of rigorous, inclusive instructional models that ensure multilingual learners and students with disabilities consistently access grade-level content, high-quality instruction, and meaningful intervention supports.Partner with school leaders, instructional leaders, and regional academic teams to strengthen Tier I instruction, MTSS implementation, intervention systems, and inclusive practices across all schools.Coach leaders and educators on differentiated instruction, specially designed instruction, accommodations, co-teaching, progress monitoring, and data-driven intervention planning to improve student outcomes.Develop systems to monitor the effectiveness of service delivery, intervention implementation, and instructional supports through walkthroughs, data analysis, student work review, and progress monitoring cycles.Analyze academic, behavioral, language acquisition, and intervention data to identify trends, gaps, and root causes, and lead responsive action planning to accelerate achievement for special populations.Ensure accommodations, modifications, and intervention supports maintain instructional rigor and align to grade-level standards, curriculum expectations, and organizational priorities.Strategic Leadership:Lead the development of network-wide inclusion and intervention models aligned to rigorous Tier I instruction. Ensure accommodations and modifications preserve grade-level rigor and access to core content.Partner with academic leaders to align curriculum, assessments, intervention systems, and progress monitoring practices for special populations.Develop systems for monitoring the effectiveness of specialized instruction through walkthroughs, data analysis, and coaching cycles.Support schools in implementing MTSS systems aligned to academic and behavioral intervention frameworks.Lead calibration around high-quality specially designed instruction and multilingual learner supports. Outcomes: What will I be evaluated on?Accountability & Outcomes for Students:Compliance with all federal, state, and local SPED/ELL requirementsIncreased proficiency and growth outcomes for students with disabilities and multilingual learners across internal and external assessmentsReduction in disproportionality related to discipline, identification, and placement practicesIncreased inclusion rates and access to grade-level instructionStrong implementation of accommodations and specially designed instruction across classroomsTimely evaluation completion and compliance benchmarks met at or above state expectationsImproved ACCESS growth and language acquisition outcomes for multilingual learnersEffective MTSS implementation resulting in earlier intervention and stronger student outcomes Team Leadership & Development:Hire, coach, develop, and manage high-performing special populations staff across the network, including special education coordinators, multilingual learner staff, related service providers, and paraprofessionals.Lead ongoing professional development and coaching aligned to inclusive instructional practices, compliance systems, intervention effectiveness, MTSS implementation, and equitable service delivery for multilingual learners and students with disabilities.Build the capacity of school leaders and school-based teams to effectively implement special populations systems, analyze student data, monitor progress, and execute high-quality instructional and compliance practices.Facilitate regular data reviews, compliance meetings, and strategic planning cycles to ensure accountability, alignment, and continuous improvement across schools.Family Partnership & Advocacy:Foster strong partnerships with families through proactive, culturally responsive communication and engagement practices that build trust, transparency, and collaboration.Ensure families have equitable access to information, services, and school supports through effective translation, interpretation, and language access systems.Support families in understanding SPED and multilingual learner processes, student rights, instructional supports, and available services to strengthen advocacy and student success.Partner with school teams and community organizations to remove barriers to access and ensure students and families receive coordinated, student-centered support services.What skills should I already bring, i.e., what should I already have a track record around?Leading special populations programming that improves outcomes for multilingual learners and students with disabilities across schools or systemsDesigning and implementing inclusive instructional systems, intervention frameworks, and MTSS structuresCoaching school leaders, instructional leaders, and specialized staff to improve instruction, compliance, and student outcomesUsing academic, behavioral, and progress monitoring data to drive strategic decision making and continuous improvementManaging complex cross-functional systems while balancing compliance, instructional leadership, and operational executionBuilding strong relationships and leading change with urgency, equity, and student-centered decision makingWhat should I know a lot about already, i.e., what should I have expertise in?IDEA, Section 504, Title III, Child Find, FAPE, LRE, and state and federal compliance requirementsInclusive instructional practices, accommodations, specially designed instruction, co-teaching, and differentiated instructionMulti-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), intervention planning, and progress monitoring systemsInstructional strategies and language acquisition supports for multilingual learners and students with disabilitiesCompliance systems, evaluation processes, state reporting requirements, and special education proceduresStudent data analysis, intervention effectiveness, and culturally responsive educational practicesKIPP uses Indicators of Excellence (IOE) to codify what great looks like in daily work.  For this role, the IOEs include:Student-centered decision makingEquity-driven leadershipStrong systems thinking and executionData-informed problem solvingEffective adult coaching and developmentCross-functional collaborationClear and proactive communicationOperational excellence and compliance stewardshipCommitment to continuous improvement
