Company Summary
Indiana Connections Academy (INCA) is a tuition-free, virtual public charter school for students in grades K-12 throughout Indiana. INCA is authorized by Ball State University and governed by an independent Board of Directors. The school is operated by Indiana Connections Academy, a nonprofit corporation, through a contract with Connections Academy of Indiana, LLC, to provide its educational program and other services. The school was founded in 2010, as part of the Indiana Department of Education Virtual School Pilot Program, and became a charter school in the fall of 2011. INCA is accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, an accrediting division of AdvancED.
Indiana Connections Academy strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we serve. We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
Position Summary and Responsibilities
Working from our office in Indianapolis, the Assistant Manager of Special Education will assist the Manager of Special Education with oversight of all aspects of educational service delivery for students with special education needs, Section 504 plans, and English Language Learners. The Assistant Manager will ensure that the school operates in compliance with all district, state, and federal regulations. The Assistant Manager will collect, store, and update data and documentation in a manner that meets or exceeds all compliance expectations. The Assistant Manager will assure that special education teachers are providing a comprehensive special education program that includes specially designed instruction in the least restrictive environment and ensure that ongoing progress monitoring practices are in place. The Assistant Manager will provide oversight of the assigned Administrative Assistant(s) to ensure that all special education, 504, and ELL students have a complete physical file and that all students’ records are accurate and up-to-date. The Assistant Manager will manage the IEP process, communication with parents of students who have or who may be suspected of having disabilities, engagement with related service providers throughout the state, and compliant operations with special education law and procedures at all times. The Assistant Manager of Special Education will work in collaboration with the Manager of Special Education, school leader and the school leadership team. Leadership tasks may include collaboration with state board of education representatives, authorizing district representatives, and colleagues at the Connections corporate office and other Connections schools. The Assistant Manager of Special Education will also collaborate with school staff to ensure that state testing accommodations for students with IEPs are provided in an accurate and well-planned manner. This Assistant Manager will also provide excellent customer service to the district and school leaders, teachers, students, and families. The ideal candidate will demonstrate an ability to build strong relationships with these stakeholders and operate at a high level of integrity and accountability. A highly qualified individual not located proximate to the school will also be considered.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Demonstrate a high level of integrity with transparency and accountability.
- Collaborate, serve, and engage with the school leadership team and authorizing district leaders.
- Actively participate in all school functions and activities, including graduation, state testing, marketing events, field trips, and additional travel, as requested.
- Supervise, manage, and evaluate a team of special education teachers.
- Communicate regularly with the school leader about the special education team.
- Review incoming special education student documentation, upon enrollment, to ensure compliance and/or needed records requests.
- Remain compliant and conduct all tasks related to state reporting meeting state timelines.
- Ability to travel to district meetings when needed.
- Ensure compliance with federal and state special education processes and timelines.
- Remain current and knowledgeable about federal and state special education statutes, regulations, and policies.
- Conduct IEP team meetings within state mandated timelines for all students with disabilities.
- Implement Connections Academy special education procedures and protocols.
- Implement procedures for placement, evaluation, assignment and re-evaluation of students with regard to the special education services program.
- Oversee and/or implement all aspects of Child Find referrals, IEP development, diagnostic assessments, and annual/tri-annual reviews and ensure complete compliance with state timelines.
- Implement and maintain a documentation system within the IEP system (IEP Writer), PIMS and Connexus Learning Management System that captures and organizes all special education data and holds special education teachers accountable for accuracy of such data.
- Co-facilitate and participate in school-based special education related meetings.
- Coordinate the delivery of IEP mandated academic and related services including contracted services.
- Oversee the development, tracking, dissemination and proper implementation of IEP-mandated accommodations for students with disabilities during state testing events.
- Collaborate with Pearson Virtual Schools staff and the local school team concerning all facets of programming for students with special needs, from identification to transition and dismissal.
- Work directly with parents, as needed, to answer questions and ensure that all school actions are in compliance, and in the interest of maximizing student learning in the Least Restrictive Environment.
- Oversee the instructional programming for students with exceptionalities, ensuring students make quantifiable progress on IEP goals and through their assigned curriculum.
- Develop a good working knowledge of Connections Academy’s curricular options, and how they can be adapted and implemented to meet specific student needs.
- Support all aspects of Section 504 including: conducting meetings for new and returning students, developing and implementing 504 plans and ensuring accuracy of state testing accommodations.
- Plan, implement, and evaluate staff professional development activities.
- Perform such other duties as assigned by the Manager of Special Education, School Leader, School Principal, supervisor, and/or corporate Assistant Director/Senior Manager of Special Education Administration Services.
Capabilities:
- Service oriented, customer centered approach to work
- Ability to plan, design, and deliver professional development
- Analytical skills including ability to analyze data from Excel exports and provide data to stakeholders
- Understanding of the WIDA Consortium and associated assessments a plus
- Strong technology skills (especially with Microsoft Office products); high-level proficiency with Microsoft Excel a must
Behaviors:
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Excellent analytic and organizational skills
- Highly accurate and detail-oriented
- High level of integrity and transparency
- High degree of flexibility.
- Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced environment.
- Team player track record
Requirements
- Master's Degree in Special Education or related field
- Degree in Special Education required
- Administrative certificate preferred; in-process candidates will be considered
- Indiana Special Education teacher certificate required
- Minimum of three to five years teaching experience in Special Education required
- Evidence of special education team leadership role
- Minimum of three years administrative or team leadership experience preferred
- Demonstrated expertise in special education law and compliance
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
- Strong customer-focused approach
- High level of integrity and transparency
- High degree of flexibility
- Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced environment
- Positive attitude
- Evidence of a strong work ethic
- Demonstrated team player
- Technologically proficient (especially with Microsoft Office products and Google products); strength with Microsoft Excel required
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
