Specialist, Academic & Re-engagement Supports

District of Columbia Public Schools; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

District of Columbia Public Schools seeks a Specialist, Academic and Re-engagement Supports to recruit and support disengaged students, using district data to develop and monitor academic support plans and ensure four-year cohort success. The role partners with DCPS offices and community partners to drive graduation outcomes.

The Specialist will work with secondary students in need of academic and behavioral supports, including at‑risk cases and those with disrupted enrollment, building systems

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and three to five years of related work experience.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Experience in a high school setting supporting student achievement and postsecondary readiness.
• Strong data literacy and ability to analyze student and school data.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and take initiative to identify challenges, develop solutions, and drive work forward with minimal supervision while maintaining flexibility and a positive attitude.
• Strong analytical and data literacy skills, including the ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and present student- and school-level data to identify trends, monitor progress, and inform interventions, planning, and decision-making.
• Experience using data systems, spreadsheets, dashboards, and reporting tools to monitor student outcomes, track progress toward goals, and support continuous improvement efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to identify root causes, solve problems, navigate organizational barriers to achieve results, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to promoting student engagement, persistence, and graduation through relationship-based and student-centered practices.

Responsibilities

• Provides targeted technical assistance and support to assigned schools to improve graduation outcomes.
• Supports schools in implementing interventions to reduce off-track students.
• Supports cohort management and student-monitoring practices for accurate tracking.
• Collaborates across offices to leverage placement data and enrollment records.
• Partners with school teams to develop academic recovery and re‑engagement plans.
• Identifies barriers to engagement and supports strategies for student success.
• Conducts follow‑up calls, meetings, and visits to monitor progress and analyze data.
• Collaborates with Central Services and community partners on graduation initiatives.
• Monitors data for trends and elevates concerns to leadership.
• Leads community-based re-engagement events and outreach efforts.

Skills

Data literacy

Communication

Project management

Collaboration

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Dashboards

Excel

Data systems

Job description

Office: Office of Social Emotional Academic Development

TheOfficeofSocial Emotional Academic Developmentworks with the Chancellor to ensure coherence in the educational experience for our students, families, and schools. Our goal is to initiate change and lead DC Public Schools into the highest performing school district in the nation.

Office of SEAD Strategy

Athletics: The Department of Athletics ensures all DCPS students have access to comprehensive and inclusive interscholastic athletics programming designed to increase student satisfaction, improve physical fitness, keep students engaged in school, develop leadership qualities, and provide additional outlets for students to express their unique talents.

Career and Technical Education: Career Education programs provide the academic, technical, and employability skills necessary to succeed in college, careers and to become lifelong learners. This includes JROTC programming.

Postsecondary Success Programs (PSP): PSP includes programming that prepares students for college and career, including Dual Enrollment, AP/IB, SAT/PSAT, School Counseling and Postsecondary Planning, Work-based Learning Opportunities, and Navigator supports.

Graduation Success Initiatives (GSI): GSI consists of programming designed to keep students on track academically and connected to their school communities. This includes work on Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate, New Heights programs, OSTP, and Extended Learning programs such as summer school and academic recovery.

Grade Level Academies: Sixth and Ninth Grade Academies in DCPS provide rich, responsive, and well-rounded educational experiences for students during key transition years to promote success.

Scheduling, Transcripts, and Academic Records Support (STARS): STARS is responsible for supporting and monitoring DCPS schools in four areas: scheduling, grading, graduation, and the development and distribution of accurate student records.

Data, Strategy, and Operations (DSO): DSO supports the division through the management of budgets, data reporting and analysis, and special projects that support the division’s key priorities in alignment with the strategic plan including policies and associated guidance.

The Specialist, Academic and Re-engagement Supports collaborates with members of the SEAD Strategy Team, SEAD, school staff, community-based organizations, and community stakeholders to recruit and support the academic achievement and integration of disengaged students (students with periods of disrupted school enrollment). The Specialist will review district data and collaborate with district and school staff to develop and monitor academic support plans ensuring students graduate with the designated four-year cohort. Additionally, the Specialist will mobilize key stakeholder groups to provide the supports, resources, and interventions needed to drive student academic success and positive student outcomes. The Specialist, Academic and Re-engagement Supports will work closely with the DCPS Opportunity Academies and Non-Public Placements and serve as an expert in working with secondary school students in need of academic and/or behavioral supports, including students who are at‑risk or have experienced disrupted school enrollment and students who have been involved with the juvenile justice system. The Specialist must be adept at building systems and programs.

This position has been designated as Protection Sensitive. Pursuant to section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations; in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying protection sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests: Criminal background check; Sex Offender Registry check; Traffic record check (as applicable).

The Specialist, Academic & Re-engagement Supports will report to the Manager, Adjusted Cohort Graduation.

Position Overview

TheOfficeofSocial Emotional Academic Developmentworks with the Chancellor to ensure coherence in the educational experience for our students, families, and schools. Our goal is to initiate change and lead DC Public Schools into the highest performing school district in the nation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides targeted technical assistance and support to assigned schools to improve the Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) and increase on-time graduation outcomes.
• Supports schools in implementing interventions designed to reduce the number of off-track students and improve graduation outcomes.
• Supports schools in implementing cohort management and student-monitoring practices that facilitate accurate student tracking, withdrawal verification, and compliance with Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) requirements.
• Collaborates across ACGR, Student Placement, Enrollment, and other relevant DCPS offices to leverage placement data, enrollment records, and other information systems to identify, locate, and support students with disrupted enrollment.
• Partners with school teams and key internal stakeholders to develop and implement academic recovery, credit recovery, and re‑engagement plans that support students in returning to an on‑track pathway toward graduation.
• Identifies school and student needs and provides recommendations to leadership on program enhancements, targeted supports, and academic recovery opportunities for student populations with unique needs.
• Identifies barriers to student engagement, attendance, and credit attainment and works with school teams to develop strategies that support student success.
• Conducts follow‑up calls, meetings, and school visits to monitor student progress and the effectiveness of intervention strategies. Analyzes student and school‑level data to identify trends and inform recommendations.
• Collaborates with Central Services teams, school staff, and community partners to support graduation, re‑engagement, and postsecondary readiness initiatives. Applies expertise in ACGR, cohort management, and student support practices to assist schools in implementing effective interventions.
• Monitors graduation, cohort, and re‑engagement data for assigned schools; identifies students requiring intervention and elevates emerging trends, barriers, and concerns to leadership.
• Leads quarterly community‑based re‑engagement events and collaborates with school teams to design and implement innovative outreach strategies, including home visits, community engagement activities, and targeted student outreach efforts that reconnect students to school and support graduation outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and three to five years of related work experience.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Experience working in a high school setting supporting student achievement, engagement, academic recovery, graduation, or postsecondary readiness initiatives.
• Demonstrated success supporting high school students who are struggling academically, disengaged from school, credit deficient, chronically absent, and/or at risk of dropping out.
• Knowledge of graduation requirements, cohort management, academic recovery, credit recovery, student engagement, and re‑engagement strategies preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and take initiative to identify challenges, develop solutions, and drive work forward with minimal supervision while maintaining flexibility and a positive attitude.
• Strong analytical and data literacy skills, including the ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and present student‑ and school‑level data to identify trends, monitor progress, and inform interventions, planning, and decision‑making.
• Experience using data systems, spreadsheets, dashboards, and reporting tools to monitor student outcomes, track progress toward goals, and support continuous improvement efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to identify root causes, solve problems, navigate organizational barriers to achieve results, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Commitment to promoting student engagement, persistence, and graduation through relationship‑based and student‑centered practices.
• Knowledge of research‑based practices that support student engagement, re‑engagement, attendance improvement, academic recovery, and graduation outcomes.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills, including the ability to build relationships, collaborate effectively, lead meetings, facilitate professional learning, and communicate data to diverse audiences.
• Results‑oriented with demonstrated experience monitoring outcomes, evaluating effectiveness, and adjusting strategies based on data and feedback.

DCPS Values

• STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
• COURAGE: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
• EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
• EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
• TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
• JOY: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive, accessible workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals with disabilities. Accommodation and/or application assistance is available upon request at all stages of the application and employment process. To request accommodation, please contact [e-mail].