This position is funded with federal stimulus funds. Continuation of the position is contingent upon available funding.

Primary Purpose:

Implement the special education evaluation process. Assess the educational strengths and needs of students referred to special education services as a member of an interdisciplinary team. Provide appropriate instructional recommendations to enable referred and special needs students to attain their fullest academic potentials.  Provide comprehensive diagnostic information to parents, staff, and students in a timely and effective manner. Work collaboratively with administrators, instructional personnel, parents, and students to provide the most appropriate educational programs in the least restrictive environments for students with disabilities.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

Master’s degree in an area of education

Valid Texas teaching certificate

Valid Texas educational diagnostician certificate

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Vast knowledge of diagnostic procedures, characteristics and needs of special education students, human development, curriculum/instruction, learning theories and educational law

Excellent organizational, communication, technology and interpersonal skills

Experience:

At least three years teaching experience

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Assessment

1. Receive student referrals, obtain permission for testing, and implement the assessment and evaluation process in a timely, effective and comprehensive manner.
2. Select and administer formal and informal assessments that are culturally fair, reliable, and valid to determine student eligibility for special education services in compliance with federal and Texas Education Agency regulations.
3. Collect and organize relevant assessment data from student’s cumulative folder, classroom teachers, administrators, support staff, parents, classroom observations, interviews, formal and informal assessment, and external sources, including institutions, agencies, and independent evaluators.
4. Conduct classroom observations and personal interviews.
5. Provide comprehensive, effective, and appropriate instructional recommendations based on qualitative and quantitative data that is scientifically based.
6. Participate as a member of the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee to assist with the interpretation of assessment data, identification of educational strengths and needs, development of Individual Education Plans (IEP), determination of appropriate instructional accommodations and district/state assessment, appropriate instructional programming, and placement in the least restrictive environments for students with disabilities, in compliance with district, state, and federal guidelines and regulations.

Consultation

1. Provide staff development training in assigned schools to assist school personnel in the identification and understanding of students with disabilities as well as with the development and implementation of effective pre-referral intervention strategies.
2. Assist classroom teachers in the development and implementation of appropriate individual educational plans.
3. Consult with parents concerning the educational strengths and needs of students and the interpretation of assessment data.
4. Consult with parents, teachers, administrators, and other relevant individuals to enable students to attain their fullest academic potential.
5. Consult with support staff members and the Director of Special Education during pre-referral interventions (RTI) to determine if students should be referred for a special education evaluation.

Program Management

1. Develop and maintain effective individual and group relationships with administrators, teachers, support staff, students, and parents.
2. Assist in the selection of culturally fair, reliable, and valid assessment materials and equipment.
3. Develop and coordinate an on-going, quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the assessment program and assist in the implementation of changes based on scientific data.
4. Compile, maintain, and organize all physical and computerized reports, records, and other required documents.
5. Comply with policies established by federal and state law, the State Board of Education rules, and local board policy in the areas of assessment, placement, and planning for special education services.
6. Comply with all district and local campus routines and regulations.
7. Participate in professional development activities to improve skills related to job assignment.
8. Schedule required meetings, including ARD’s, REED’s, and staffings, in a timely and effective manner complying with legal requirements and guidelines.

Communication

1. Maintain a positive and effective relationship with supervisors, staff, parents, and students.
2. Effectively communicate with colleagues, students, and parents.
3. Write full individual evaluations that address the following areas in a comprehensive manner:  reasons for referral or evaluation, testing conditions, educational history including attendance, response to intervention strategies, communication, physical, fine/gross motor skills, sociological, visual/auditory perception, emotional/social/behavioral, intellectual functioning, adaptive behavior, academic achievement, levels of academic functioning, academic strengths and needs, instructional recommendations, assistive technology and criteria for any disability condition/s.
4. Write eligibility reports that document the criteria required for students to receive special education services.
5. Maintain confidentiality of all methods of communication, complying with federal, state, and district laws, policies, rules, regulations, and guidelines.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

1. Ensure that ARD committees comply with federal and state laws, regulations, and guidelines.
2. Students and interpreters (if needed) in testing situations.
3. Coordinate testing on assigned campuses for state-mandated assessments that are alternatives to the current state assessment.
4. Schedule required ARD and REED meetings with all interdisciplinary team members in compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, and guidelines.
5. Supervise university practicum students and interns as needed, coordinating activities with university program directors.

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Maintain emotional control under stress.

Travel district-wide to multiple work locations as assigned

Engage in moderate lifting and carrying activities

Assist with the positioning of students with physical disabilities as needed for assessment purposes

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.