ARD & IEP Facilitator – Special Education Compliance

Spring Independent School District; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 66,441 - 80,049; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Houston is seeking a qualified Facilitator for Admission Review and Dismissal (ARD). Responsibilities include managing the ARD process to ensure appropriate instructional programs for students with disabilities. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in Education, three years of teaching experience, and strong knowledge of special education laws. The position requires effective communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with various educational staff.

Qualifications

• Three years teaching experience, including working with diverse learning needs.
• Experience conducting ARD / IEP meetings and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Conduct ARD meetings and manage ARD paperwork.
• Provide staff development training on ARD process.
• Collaborate with school personnel to implement IEPs.

Skills

Extensive knowledge of Special Education legal requirements

Communication and conflict resolution skills

Ability to manage student information systems

Skill in operating MS Office and Google Suite

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education or closely related field

Valid Texas teacher certificate with Special Education Certification

Job description

Days per Year:198

Min:$66,441

Mid:$80,049


JOB TITLE: Facilitator-Admission Review and Dismissal (ARD)

REPORTS TO: Coordinator-IEP Monitoring & Compliance

WAGE: Exempt

PAY GRADE:AI 2


PRIMARY PURPOSE:

The ARD Facilitator is responsible for implementing the Admission Review and Dismissal (ARD) / Individual Educational Plan (IEP) process, with support and input from parents, Case Managers, Department Chairs and Team Leaders in Special Services. The objective is to provide the most appropriate instructional programs for students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment.

All employees of Spring ISD are expected to act with integrity, support organizational goals, communicate in a clear and respectful manner, champion the needs of our students and drive continuous improvement and student outcomes.

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or closely related field from an accredited college or university
• Three (3) years teaching experience, including experience teaching disabled and other students with diverse learning needs

PREFERRED:

• Valid Texas teacher certificate with Special Education Certification
• Educational Diagnostician Certificate or LSSP licensure
• Three (3) experience conducting ARD / IEP meetings
• Three (3) experience completing ARD / IEP documentation

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS

• Extensive knowledge of Special Education legal and procedural requirements
• Extensive knowledge of the ARD process including parent/advocate relations
• Extensive knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 504
• Skill in effectively coaching and supporting counselors, teachers, and administrators in their instructional teams
• Ability to manage student information, ARD management systems, and PEIMS compliance
• Ability to perform duties with attention to detail, speed, accuracy, follow-through, courtesy, cooperativeness and work with minimum supervision
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing utilizing tact and diplomacy and maintain effective working relationships with district personnel and campus administration
• Skill in operating MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher), and Google Suite

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

IEP Management

• Conduct ARD committee meetings, including completing/managing ARD paperwork proficiently using the District’s special education IEP program and taking minutes during the ARD meetings.
• Provide staff development training to assigned school(s) to assist school personnel in areas such as the ARD decision making process for state assessment, determining ESY eligibility and services, and data collection.
• At the secondary level, work collaboratively with the Team Lead, Department Chair, Case Managers and Campus Administrators to provide training, resources and support for implementation of IEPs.
• Conduct on-going folder reviews to ensure ARD and eligibility folders meet the RDA program review compliance standards. Identify, document and respond to areas of strength and need.
• Provide leadership, vision, direction, supervision and expertise in compliance with the ARD/IEP process.
• Collaborate with campus coordinator for state assessment for students with disabilities.

School/Organization Climate

• Maintain a positive and effective relationship, good judgment, and decision making with coworkers, supervisors, other district personnel, parents, the community, outside agencies and organizations,

Communication

• Promote communication with parents and others in the community concerning the mission of the District and accompanying products and services, participating in and supporting community collaborative activities; and providing educational outreach into the community.
• Facilitate collaborative reciprocal communication with administrators, teachers, staff, parents and the community.
• Demonstrate skill in conflict resolution with administrators, teachers, staff, parents and the community.

Policy, Reports, and Law

• Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, Board of Education rules and local board policy and regulations.
• Compile, maintain and file all reports and other documents as required.
• Maintain confidentiality standards in accordance with The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Other

• Maintain confidentiality of privileged and sensitive information when received and distributed to appropriate designees as approved by the Executive Director of Special Services.
• Attends professional growth activities to maintain awareness of current research and issues in special education, ARD/IEP, professional development at the state level, including technology integration.
• Responds to after-hours emergencies as needed.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Mental Demands / Physical Demands / Environmental Factors:

Maintain emotional control under stress
Frequent prolonged and irregular work hours; frequent interruptions
Deadline driven workload
Flexibility to maximize teacher learning and schedules
Prolonged use of equipment, computer, and repetitive hand motions
Frequent district-wide travel with occasional travel outside school boundaries
Occasional travel outside of school district boundaries including out of state travel
Frequent contact with parents, community, and/or other district/campus employees
Daily attendance and punctuality at work are essential functions of the job

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.

This position is funded by Federal/and or State grants, you understand that your employment is expressly conditioned on the availability of full funding for the position. If full funding becomes unavailable, your employment is subject to termination or nonrenewal, or reassignment as applicable.