Special Education Department Chairperson

DEFINITION:

The Chair of the Special Education Department shall be that employee member of the school staff designated by the Superintendent of Schools to assist the Principals and the Director of Special Education in the proper operation of the Special Education Department, Grades 9-12.  

PREREQUISITE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum:  A Master's degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum:  A graduate or an undergraduate major in Special Education.  
• Minimum:  Five years’ experience in Special Education. 
• Certification in Special Education.
• Certification as Supervisor/Director or Special Education Administrator.

SALARY:

Salary for this position will be a stipend of $5,790. This stipend is to be added to the base salary according to the Everett Teachers Association contract.

WORKING TIME:  

The Chair of the Special Education Department will be required to work the contractual school year plus fifteen days, at the discretion of the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendents, Principals and Director of Special Education.  The length of the workday will be 7:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.  

DUTIES:

1. Ensure that staff members are in compliance with special education regulations. 
2. Assist in the formation of courses related to the delivery of services for special education students.  
3. Supervise the use of instructional and assessment programs.  
4. Teach courses at Everett High School as needed.   
5. Visit classrooms to assist the Principals in the evaluation of teacher performance in Grades 9-12.  
6. Assist in the identification of at-risk students.  
7. Ensure that plan books are up-to-date, two weeks in advance.  
8. Ensure that his/her staff adhere to the rules and regulations of the district, including being on time in the morning, at the beginning of classes, while students are filing, and at dismissal.
9. Assist the administration in monitoring all areas of student progress and discipline.    
10. Monitor make-up sessions.  
11. Hold departmental meetings to discuss regulatory compliance with a posted agenda, minutes, and attendance sheet forwarded to the building Principal, Director of Special Education and the Director of Curriculum.  
12. Remain up to date on instructional methods, educational materials and technology for improving teaching and learning.  
13. Review and discuss with other department chairs, changes in instructional materials, to assure alignment with curriculum initiatives.  
14. To monitor the performance of special education students and in order to close the achievement gap, the department chair shall review, analyze and discuss quarterly distribution of student grades to assess student performance and instructional delivery.  
15. Based on student data analysis, interim assessments will be used to monitor students’ completion of MCAS Portfolios.  
16. Analyze with department members MCAS and other data, and distribute the analysis with recommendations to teachers, principals and the Directors of Curriculum and Special Education.    
17. Create and maintain a collegial climate with your staff.  
18. See to it that each teacher understands clearly the process of grade reporting.  
19. Be responsible for developing the department’s budget with assistance from department members.  
20. Assist in and attend Graduation exercises and all school events requested by the High School administration.  
21. Ensure proper safety procedures in all classrooms and storage areas.
22. Maintain memberships and participate in professional organizations related to Special Education.  
23. Evaluate student data to help make instructional decisions for individual student achievement, to include, but not limited to, the development of Individual Education Plans and Educational Performance Plans. 
24. Perform such other duties and assume all other responsibilities, which may be assigned by the Principals, Assistant Principals, Superintendent and/or Assistant Superintendents.                                                                        

 The Everett Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.