Manager, OSD Academic Access

CPS; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Plan Options

Dental Benefits

Vision Benefits

Pension Plans

Paid Leave

Job summary

Chicago Public Schools seeks a Manager of Academic Access to lead Special Education Coordinators and drive inclusive, compliant practices across networks and schools. This exempt, salary position reports to the Director and emphasizes equity, continuous improvement, and instructional excellence.

Responsibilities include coaching teams, promoting high-quality IEPs, and ensuring adherence to IDEA, ADA, CPS policies while fostering collaboration across departments and communities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or related field.
• Illinois Professional Educator License with Special Education endorsement (LBS1, LBS II, and/or ECSE).
• General Administrative Endorsement (Type 75) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Special Education Coordinators across networks to ensure equity in service delivery.
• Provide coaching, professional development, and performance feedback to staff.
• Support schools in implementing UDL and culturally responsive pedagogy.
• Promote fidelity of IEPs and instructional interventions.
• Lead team meetings and cross‑department collaboration to meet goals.
• Monitor compliance with IDEA, ADA, CPS policies; use data for decisions.
• Lead data‑driven cycles to improve IEPs and outcomes.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, audits, and improvement plans.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Communication

Equity focus

Education

Master’s degree in Special Education

PEL with Special Education endorsement (LBS1/LBS II/ECSE)

Type 75 Administrative Endorsement preferred

Job description

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500 schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students — student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

The mission of the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) is to provide high-quality and specially designed instructional support and services for all diverse learners within their least restrictive environment. We work collaboratively with several units, specifically schools and Networks to improve the academic achievement of all diverse learners by ensuring diverse learners receive meaningful and relevant access to grade-level core instruction within their neighborhood school, school of choice, or the school closest to their residence.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director, Academic Access the Manager, Academic Access plays a critical leadership role in Chicago Public Schools’ efforts to ensure equitable, high-quality instruction for all students with disabilities. The Manager, Academic Access provides strategic oversight, guidance, and leadership to a team of Special Education Coordinators. This position is responsible for driving the implementation of inclusive, compliant, and impactful special education practices across networks and schools; fostering a culture of continuous improvement and instructional excellence. This is a full-time exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The Manager of Academic Access will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Directly supervises Special Education Coordinators across assigned networks; ensuring consistency, quality, and equity in service delivery across CPS networks
• Provides clear goals, regular coaching, ongoing professional development, performance feedback, and professional growth opportunities and champions high-quality, IEPs and research-based special education instruction through modeling, coaching, and knowledge dissemination
• Ensures that Special Education Coordinators effectively support schools in implementing Universal Design for Learning (UDL), differentiated instruction, and culturally responsive pedagogy
• Promotes and ensures fidelity in the implementation of individualized education programs (IEPs) and instructional interventions
• Leads regular team meetings and individual check-ins to monitor progress toward strategic goals and ensure alignment with district priorities and instructional and behavioral initiatives, ensuring cohesion and cross-departmental collaboration
• Monitors special education compliance data and ensures Special Education Coordinators support schools in meeting legal and policy requirements under IDEA, ADA, and CPS policy
• Utilizes data and research to inform decision‑making, identify trends, and proactively address challenges in special education practice
• Leads data‑driven accountability cycles to improve IEP development, service delivery, and student outcomes

Collaborates with Stakeholders, Advocates, and other CPS departments to support systemic alignment and innovation

Supports audits, investigations, and improvement plans in response to compliance issues or concerns

Builds systems to promote authentic, culturally responsive engagement of families and communities in the special education process

Other duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Manager, Academic Access must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Master’s degree in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or related field required
• Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with Special Education endorsement (LBS1, LBS II, and/or ECSE) required
• General Administrative Endorsement (Type 75) preferred

Experience Required:

• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in special education, including at least three (3) years in a leadership, supervisory, or district‑level support role
• Proven track record of improving special education practices and outcomes at the school or district level

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Deep understanding of effective instructional practices for students with disabilities across a variety of educational settings
• Strong knowledge of federal and state special education laws and policies, including IDEA and ADA
• Exceptional leadership, team‑building, and performance management skills
• Strategic thinking with an ability to operationalize complex ideas into measurable action
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and inspire diverse stakeholders
• Cultural competency and a demonstrated commitment to equity, access, and high expectations for all learners
• Ability to articulate a vision, set high standards, and effectively guide schools and principals in the realization of expectations set
• Expertise in leadership development and instructional leadership. Ability to coach directors and managers toward excellence, build the capacity of content area teams, and develop meaningful and high‑impact professional communities for teachers and school leaders
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including presentations, listening, and writing
• High levels of instructional expertise, integrity, honesty, credibility, and the courage to make difficult yet necessary decisions
• Effective strategic planning capabilities, including the ability to establish long‑term vision and goals, and align/manage activities toward goal fulfillment
• Strong leadership and team building skills, e.g. ability to develop high‑performing teams united around a clear vision for serving schools and achieving student success
• Knowledge of operations, budget/finance, management, and organizational development
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, including external partners, to ensure the entire system operates in the most effective manner possible to support schools and principals
• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps

Benefits:

Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice

• Medical Plan Options
• Pharmacy
• Dental
• Vision
• Behavioral Health & EAP
• Employee Wellness Program

Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow

• Basic Life Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Pension Plans
• Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Spot Pet Insurance

Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life

• Paid Leave
• Sick Leave
• Vacation Days
• Parental Leaves
• Short-Term Disability
• Religious Holidays
• Leaves

Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency – Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part‑time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.

CPS values the well‑being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies: