Assistant Director of Special Education Compliance

About The Position:

The Assistant Director of Student Support Services works with our school administrators and the Student Support Services leadership team to ensure that E. L. Haynes’ services for students with disabilities are compliant and maximally effective. In addition, the Assistant Director provides supervision for the special education instructional program. The Assistant Director of Student Support Services is specifically responsible for creating and maintaining systems to identify students with disabilities, coordinating the services and accommodations/modifications for students with disabilities, and organizing and analyzing student data to increase the effectiveness of the special education and 504 programs.

This position reports to the Managing Director of Student Support Services and works closely with the Campus leadership team and Assistant Director of Specialized Instruction.  

Starting Salary: $90,000 - $117,500

You Will:

• Assist the Director of Special Education with developing the appropriate infrastructures, systems, and processes for implementation of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) with fidelity, ensure that compliance standards, including instructional programs, are designed to maximize student performance; and
• Provide strong leadership in the implementation of the day-to-day operations of the special education programs.

Special Education Compliance Support

• Work with the Director of Special Education, operations, and enrollment staff to ensure that new student information is collected and reviewed in a timely fashion, including holding meetings for students with IEPs as outlined in the transfer student policy;
• Ensure that the referral process is timely and thorough,  eligibility decisions are well-made, and all procedures are completed per guidelines and law;
• Ensure that IEPs and 504 plans are well-developed and appropriate for students with disabilities;
• Oversee the drafting of IEP goals, accommodations/modifications, service hours, and student and staff schedules made by related service providers, Special Education teachers, and General Education teachers so that they match recommendations from the eligibility meeting and reflect the E. L. Haynes IEP standards; and
• Upon approval of the Managing Director of Student Support Services , works with OSSE Placement Specialists to place students in appropriate programs if a more restrictive environment is found to be necessary.

• Oversee all aspects of special education and Section 504 compliance for students within the assigned grade band (PK3–5, 6–9), ensuring adherence to federal and local regulations, OSSE requirements, and E.L. Haynes policies.
• Ensure timely completion of initial evaluations, reevaluations, eligibility determinations, annual IEP reviews, Section 504 reviews, and all other required meetings and processes.
• Monitor compliance timelines, procedural safeguards, prior written notices, parent consent, and all required documentation.
• Conduct regular internal audits of student records to ensure accuracy, completeness, procedural compliance, and alignment with E.L. Haynes IEP standards.
• Oversee the development and implementation of high-quality, individualized IEPs and Section 504 plans that appropriately address student needs.
• Review IEP goals, accommodations, modifications, service hours, and educational placements to ensure alignment with student evaluations, eligibility determinations, and individualized needs.
• Monitor the implementation of specialized instruction, related services, accommodations, modifications, and supplementary aids and services.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of service logs, progress reports, and other required special education documentation.
• Identify compliance concerns, develop corrective action plans, and monitor the implementation of corrective measures.
• Support preparation for OSSE monitoring, audits, data requests, corrective action requirements, and other accountability processes.
• Ensure that disciplinary procedures involving students with disabilities comply with IDEA, Section 504, and applicable local requirements, including manifestation determination reviews when required.

• Serve as the primary special education compliance leader for the assigned grade band, maintaining comprehensive knowledge of student needs, service delivery requirements, staffing considerations, and compliance priorities.
• Collaborate with campus leadership, special education teachers, general education teachers, related service providers, and other student support personnel to ensure coordinated and effective programming.
• Oversee the implementation and monitoring of IEPs and Section 504 plans for all students within the assigned grade band.
• Review student schedules, service delivery models, and staffing assignments to ensure alignment with students' IEPs and Section 504 plans.
• Monitor the delivery of specialized instruction and related services, identifying missed services, scheduling conflicts, and service delivery gaps and coordinating timely resolution.
• Facilitate regular grade-band compliance meetings to review student needs, upcoming deadlines, service delivery concerns, and required action steps.
• Partner with instructional leaders to ensure students with disabilities have meaningful access to grade-level curriculum, appropriate accommodations, and inclusive learning environments.
• Support the implementation of a continuum of special education services and placements that meets individual student needs while maintaining a commitment to the least restrictive environment.
• Monitor student progress and collaborate with instructional teams to identify when adjustments to services, supports, or programming may be warranted.
• Collaborate with the Managing Director of Student Support Services on complex student cases, placement considerations, compliance risks, and programmatic needs.
• Support the implementation of E.L. Haynes' PK–12 special education vision, strategic priorities, and continuum of services.

• Provide direct supervision, coaching, performance feedback, and evaluation of assigned Behavior Technicians in accordance with organizational policies and established supervision structures.
• Oversee Behavior Technicians' schedules, responsibilities, and student support assignments to ensure alignment with student needs and documented plans.
• Collaborate with behavior specialists, school psychologists, and other qualified personnel to ensure consistent implementation of Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) and behavioral support strategies.
• Support the onboarding, training, and ongoing professional development of instructional aides and dedicated aides serving students with disabilities.
• Develop and facilitate training related to IEP implementation, accommodations, behavior support, data collection, confidentiality, documentation, and the appropriate role of instructional aides.
• Provide ongoing coaching and technical assistance to special education teachers, general education teachers, instructional aides, and related service providers regarding compliance expectations and effective implementation practices.
• Identify professional learning needs through observations, compliance reviews, staff feedback, and student data.
• Collaborate with campus leaders and the Managing Director of Student Support Services to address staffing concerns, professional performance issues, and areas requiring additional support.
• Establish clear expectations for documentation, communication, implementation fidelity, and accountability among staff supporting students with disabilities.

• Oversee the implementation, accuracy, and maintenance of all special education compliance-related systems and platforms used within the assigned grade band, including SEDS, service tracking systems, student information systems, and other required databases.
• Ensure student records, IEPs, eligibility documents, service logs, progress reports, and compliance documentation are accurate, current, and maintained in accordance with established requirements.
• Monitor data entry, documentation completion, and reporting timelines for special education teachers, related service providers, and other responsible personnel.
• Establish and maintain grade-band compliance trackers, monitoring tools, and internal accountability systems.
• Conduct regular reviews of compliance data to identify trends, anticipate challenges, and inform decisions.
• Ensure accurate documentation and tracking of referrals, evaluations, eligibility determinations, IEP development, Section 504 plans, services, and student progress.
• Coordinate with enrollment, operations, and student support teams to ensure timely identification, records collection, and appropriate service planning for newly enrolled and transferring students with disabilities.
• Oversee transfer student procedures, including records review, timely determination and provision of required services, and completion of applicable meetings and documentation.
• Provide regular compliance updates and data reports to the Managing Director of Student Support Services, including identified risks, outstanding items, corrective actions, and progress toward compliance goals.
• Maintain systems for monitoring service delivery and identifying, documenting, and addressing missed or interrupted services.

• Collaborate with school-based teams to ensure students with disabilities receive individualized academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and functional supports as outlined in their IEPs and Section 504 plans.
• Oversee the implementation and documentation of Behavior Intervention Plans in collaboration with qualified behavior support professionals and school-based teams.
• Monitor the collection and review of behavioral data to ensure interventions are implemented consistently and teams have the information necessary to evaluate student progress.
• Support teams in reviewing student needs and determining when additional evaluations, interventions, accommodations, or IEP revisions should be considered.
• Collaborate with campus leaders and student support teams to monitor disciplinary patterns and ensure students with disabilities receive appropriate behavioral and educational supports.
• Support the development and implementation of individualized safety plans, behavior support plans, and other student-specific interventions, as appropriate.
• Participate in complex student support meetings and provide guidance regarding compliance obligations, service delivery, and appropriate educational programming.
• In collaboration with the Managing Director of Student Support Services, coordinate with OSSE Placement Specialists and other appropriate agencies when an IEP team determines that a more restrictive educational placement is necessary.
• Ensure placement considerations, service recommendations, and programmatic decisions are appropriately documented and based on individualized student needs and IEP team determinations.

• Serve as a key point of contact for families regarding special education compliance processes, IEP implementation, Section 504 plans, and related procedural questions within the assigned grade band.
• Ensure families receive timely communication, meeting notices, procedural safeguards, progress updates, and other required documentation.
• Collaborate with school-based teams to ensure families are meaningfully engaged in evaluation, eligibility, IEP development, and educational planning processes.
• Respond to parent concerns related to special education services, documentation, accommodations, and procedural requirements in a timely and professional manner.
• Partner with the Managing Director of Student Support Services to address escalated family concerns, formal complaints, and compliance-related disputes.
• Collaborate with general education leadership, operations, enrollment, attendance, and student support teams to ensure coordinated systems of support.
• Support schoolwide family engagement initiatives, including special education family nights, informational sessions, and opportunities for families to better understand available services and supports.
• Maintain clear, accurate, and timely communication with relevant stakeholders regarding student needs, compliance requirements, and action items.

You have:

• Familiarity and experience with special education compliance in the District of Columbia;
• A clear understanding of standards-based curriculum, standards-based assessment, and differentiated instruction;
• Instructional coaching or instructional leadership experience; 
• A working knowledge of current laws and regulations in relation to special education and student service requirements;
• Strong organizational and communication skills;
• Proven ability to work as a member of a team;
• Commitment to meeting the needs of every child in a diverse population;
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development; and
• Strong collaborative capabilities.

You may also have:

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in special education;
• Two or more years of special education coordination experience in an urban setting; and
• Experience leading and maintaining compliance for a schoolwide special education program.