Students with Exceptionalities (SWE) Director

                                                                                Job Description – Students with Exceptionalities Director

About Community Academies of New Orleans (CANO)

Community Academies of New Orleans (“CANO”) is a dynamic and growing charter school management organization with a mission to strengthen leadership and implement strategic operational practices that position us as a Destination School in the New Orleans metropolitan area.

CANO envisions a system of exemplary schools deeply rooted in the voices of our students, families, and communities—producing graduates who are committed to advocacy and community leadership. Our mission is to cultivate schools that foster character development and critical thinking in responsive, student-centered environments, ultimately preparing our students to become impactful leaders.

Our commitment to academic excellence is matched by strategic partnerships and programs that leverage community assets to support student success. CANO offers a fresh yet grounded vision for education in New Orleans—building a new path forward for students, families, and communities.

CANO Core Values

INTEGRITY – We always do the right thing.

TEAMWORK – We work and grow together.

PASSION – We love our students, our community, and our work.

DIGNITY – We value and respect every member of our community.

COURAGE – We face challenges with optimism and confidence.

About the Role 

The Director of Students with Exceptionalities Programming is responsible for planning, administering, and directing the division’s special education programs. He or she will report directly to the Chief of Academic Officer.  The SWE Director formulates and interprets policies and procedures; ensures compliance with state and federal regulations; administers a budget; and supervises departmental personnel. 

About the Opportunity

Qualifications:

• Deep knowledge of content and pedagogy
• Knowledgeable of adult learning and skillful in working with learners of all levels
• At least five years successful classroom and/or administrative experience
• Master’s degree or higher with an emphasis in areas inclusive or related to special education or psychology
• Louisiana teaching/leadership certification, degree related certifications, or eligible for obtainment
• Contributes to the work as a team player and takes initiative when opportunities are presented
• A lifelong learner

Job Duties:

• Plan and implement program goals and objectives for the students with exceptionalities in grades PreK-8 while maintaining an awareness of current laws, policies, and regulations pertaining to specific programs.
• Applies and monitors that current research and techniques are being used to ensure that all students with exceptional needs are properly screened, placed, evaluated, assigned, and/or reappraised. 
• Coordinates the development, implementation, and revision of the curriculum for special needs students with the directors of  specific content areas and diverse learners on the academic team.
• Ensures compliance with state and federal regulations governing special education programs and services. 
• Interprets special education programs to the School Board, staff, and the public. 
• Assists school principals with planning and implementing effective school-based special education programs 
• Serves as a co-facilitator for the school-based Special Education Advisory Committees. 
• Evaluates special education programs to ensure that goals and objectives as identified on each individualized educational plan for students are being met. 
• Prepares and administers the special education budget, prepares grant applications, and solicits funds to provide financial support for programs. 
• Provides expenditure control for requisitioning and ordering equipment and materials for the special education program. 
• Assesses and identifies special education program needs and provides recommendations regarding future special education equipment, program, and personnel requirements. 
• Assists the human resources department with interviewing and recommending qualified candidates for special education professional staff positions. 
• Provides opportunities for development of in-service programs for special education personnel both academically and behaviorally focused. 
• Directs the preparation of reports as required by federal, state, and local regulatory agencies. 
• Point of contact with the transportation department to arrange for transportation of special education students based on student IEPs.
• Facilitates interagency planning between the CANO and external service providers such as residential care facilities and day treatment facilities. 
• Monitors the presence of accurate record keeping of students who have individualized educational plans are being kept at the school level in accordance with federal, state, and local guidelines. 
• Co-leads the network-wide MTSS process to ensure that systematic academic interventions and enrichment support for students are being implemented to meet the needs of every student. 
• Facilitates a collaborative approach to support student success through programs and services involving family and community engagement.
• Assists in the development and implementation of educational compliance in regards to federal and state regulations. 
• Point person for behavior infractions for students with disabilities inclusive of suspensions and expulsions
• Models non discriminatory practices in all activities. 
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Drive Compliance Systems

• Lead processes and procedures to ensure special education compliance with all mandated timelines according to NOLA PS and State Department of Education
• Carry out the system for reviewing compliance and maintaining compliance procedures across schools (IEP compliance, evaluation compliance, MDR compliance, filing and documentation, as well as, any other special education related compliance need).
• Conduct internal compliance audits for campus compliance.
• Conduct a monthly compliance (i.e., IEP compliance, reevaluation compliance, filing compliance, etc.).
• Serve as SER point of contact to facilitate exchange of records requests.
• Conduct on-going review of student files and provide feedback to teacher/case managers to improve record keeping and compliance.
• Participate in all NOLA PS and IDEA audits of Special Education Programming.
• Complete compliance monitoring components required by the Louisiana Department of Education.
• Ensure testing accommodations are in SER.
• Collaborate with Student Support Team leaders to develop compliance goals, priorities, metrics and systems.
• Monitors and reports on behavior, attendance, and academic data from the internal data system for students with exceptionalities.
• Review student records as needed.
• Coordinate the collection of IEP goal student data.
• Maintain and modify case compliance rubric as needed to meet legal guidelines

Support and Develop School-Based Staff

• Address any ongoing PD to the special education teachers throughout the school year
• Provide targeted coaching to Special Education teachers who may need additional support on areas of compliance.
• Attend IEP meetings to give feedback and support.
• Facilitate documentation best practices through reporting out to school leadership teams.
• Collect data on student performance across a variety of behavioral and academics to update student profiles.
• Evaluate SWE staff based on Louisiana’s Educator Rubric and develop SLT’s to track student progress
• Participate in ongoing professional development as required

More about CANO

CANO Schools offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package. Aside from extensive professional development, all our staff members are equipped with a laptop computer, email, and all necessary supplies. CANO believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building a talented team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Community Academies of New Orleans is an EEO employer and prohibits discrimination, harassment or retaliation in accordance with federal, state and local laws."