Director, Special Education Services (Pupil Personnel Specialty)

Minimum Requirements

Academic Programming; Pupil Personnel Specialties 

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Three years of full-time, paid, experience as an appointed school professional in the area of special education which has included experience outside of the classroom in a leadership role (e.g. mentor teacher, Administrative Assistant, or Assistant Principal).

Certificates/Licenses 

Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Administrative certificate for K-12 or Elementary and  Secondary Principal. 

AND

Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania certificate to teach special education.

OR

Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Special Education Supervisory certificate.

Demonstrated knowledge of:

• periodic assessments and ongoing informal assessments and strategies to  support students based on the results. site visit protocols for Walk Throughs.
• the modern principles, practices and methods of educational administration.
• the principles and theories of adult learning.
• curriculum development and implementation as well as authentic assessment  practices.
• instructional strategies related to curriculum and content.
• governmental statues and regulations relating to instruction and curriculum.
• the effective use of technology in the delivery of staff development programs.
• supervisory methods and techniques.
• current research regarding communities of learners, instructional practices  linked to student achievement, differentiated instruction, mentoring, coaching  and emergent technologies.
• project-based learning, blended learning and experiential learning.
• Instructional practices which contribute to a college going culture among non traditional students.
• national standards, the current trends, developments, practices, objectives and  theories of staff development.
• curriculum development and implementation and instructional strategies related  to curriculum, content and problem solving. 
• the principles, practices and methods of education in Literacy, Math, Science, Social Studies, or World Languages.
• a variety of pedagogical modalities.
• standards and current curriculum frameworks.
• research-based school improvement designs and current issues facing urban  public education.
• governmental mandates impacting special education.
• differentiated instruction.
• current best practices in curriculum, instruction and assessment.
• research related to the field of expertise and the ability to apply this research to practical situations.

Demonstrated skill in: 

• collecting, analyzing and using data.
• the use of technology to access student assessment results for informing  instruction.
• data management including interpretation, solutions and applications.
• coaching and modeling for school based staff and leaders.

Demonstrated ability to:

• supervise implementing interventions (strategy groups, conferencing, guided reading groups, etc.) based on formal and informal assessment results.
• design and facilitate school led workshops for staff development incorporating  assessments and interventions into current curriculum.
• build relationships and help teachers and principals feel comfortable with and  understand instruction.
• provide leadership in professional development design and implementation.
• coordinate, facilitate and implement diversified professional development  programs.
• engage adult learners in meaningful, research-based staff development designs.
• use disaggregated student data to determine adult learning priorities, monitor  progress and help sustain continuous improvement.
• use multiple sources of information to guide improvement and demonstrate its  impact. o prepare educators to understand and appreciate all students, create safe, orderly and supportive learning environments, and hold high expectations for  their academic achievement. 
• deepen educators’ content knowledge and provide them with research-based  instructional strategies to assist students in meeting rigorous academic  standards.
• evaluate, manage, and interpret data and prepare cogent recommendations.
• plan, develop, conduct and oversee a comprehensive instructional support  program and staff development program for a large urban school district.
• review, select and adapt resources to better support schools in academic  achievement.
• assess staff development and instructional support needs.
• review, select and adapt course materials for a variety of staff development  sessions.
• oversee and review formative assessment content and design.
• interpret all relevant District and federal rules and regulations concerning  program administration
• guide and channel resources, ideas for recommendations for problem solution  and refinement. 
• manage and interpret data.
• use a personal computer.
• communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Disclaimer 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being  performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an  exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. 

Nondiscrimination 

The School District of Philadelphia provides equal employment opportunities to all  employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age, creed, religion,  Title: Director, Special Education Services sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, pregnancy, marital status, gender  identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 348 for further information  regarding the District's commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.