Director of Special Education

Organizational Overview:

KIPP Atlanta Schools is part of the KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) national network of free, open enrollment, college preparatory schools dedicated to ensuring that every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities. There are 280 KIPP schools in 21 states and the District of Columbia serving more than 175,000 scholars and alumni. KIPP Atlanta currently operates 11 schools including five primary schools, six middle schools and one high school, as well as KIPP Forward which supports scholars on their journey to a choice-filled life. We are a social justice organization and our vision and mission require the work of dedicated, bold and skilled leaders, educators, and support staff who are committed to serving as the catalyst for joyful, academically excellent schools and the foundation for building a more just and equitable world for our scholars. 

Job Summary:

The Director of Special Education is charged with setting and executing the vision for exceptional scholar support at KIPP Atlanta Schools, ensuring that all students with disabilities receive high-quality instruction and the services necessary to thrive. Reporting to the Managing Director of Academics, the Director of Special Education manages the regional MTSS Managers and leads a cohort of school-based Assistant Principals of Scholar Support (APSS), coaching them on both compliance and instructional best practices to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. As the regional leader and expert for special education, the Director will drive continuous school improvement, align practices with state and federal compliance requirements, and build capacity among school leaders and teachers to implement best-in-class special education programming. Additionally, the Director will support the hiring process for special education leaders and teachers, forecast hiring needs, and ensure compliance with special education staffing requirements. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of improving student outcomes for students with disabilities, expertise in state accountability measures such as the Georgia CCRPI (College and Career Ready Performance Index), and experience leading continuous improvement initiatives. The Director will work collaboratively across schools and departments to ensure that every KIPP Atlanta scholar has access to a high-quality education, tailored supports, and a pathway to success.

Job Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & Execution 40%

• Set, direct, and execute the special education strategy at KIPP Atlanta Schools to ensure all scholars receive a high-quality education and are on a path to a choice-filled life.
• Develop benchmarks for success and maintain comprehensive data tracking systems to monitor student progress, school compliance, and the effectiveness of special education initiatives.
• Conduct regular school observations, data reviews, and walkthroughs to assess the quality of special education services and instructional delivery.
• Partner with Heads of Schools, Principals, and APSS to identify key action items that will improve student outcomes, increase inclusion opportunities, and ensure alignment with state and district expectations.
• Support the integration of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and Response to Intervention (RTI) models to ensure that early interventions prevent unnecessary referrals to special education.
• Partner with the Talent and Finance Teams to lead hiring forecasting, using historical trend data and current enrollment projections to provide accurate hiring needs assessments for special education roles.
• Stay current on state and district-level priorities from Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton County Schools, and Georgia DOE to ensure KIPP Atlanta’s special education strategy is aligned with best practices and compliance expectations.
• Lead continuous school improvement efforts by developing targeted action plans that improve CCRPI performance indicators related to special education, including progress toward proficiency, subgroup performance, and graduation rates.

Team Leadership & Management 35%

• Manage and develop a high-performing regional Special Education Team, including MTSS Managers, ensuring that they receive targeted professional development and coaching aligned to student achievement, compliance, and instructional excellence.
• Provide coaching, professional development, and strategic support to Assistant Principals of Scholar Support (APSS) to strengthen their instructional leadership and their ability to drive measurable improvements for students with disabilities.
• Build the capacity of APSS and Special Education Coordinators through a cohort-based learning model, ensuring they develop the skills to lead inclusive education practices, compliance oversight, and high-impact special education programming.
• Collaborate with the Academics Team, School Leaders, and Talent Team to design and execute professional learning experiences for teachers and leaders that strengthen differentiated instruction, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and research-based intervention strategies.
• Partner with Principals and School Operations Teams to maximize scheduling opportunities for students with disabilities, ensuring that students have access to the least restrictive environment (LRE) while receiving the necessary support.
• Hold regional and school-based teams accountable to performance goals and metrics related to student growth, compliance indicators, and instructional quality.

Academic Programming 25%

• Serve as the organizational expert in special education compliance, ensuring that KIPP Atlanta Schools meet federal (IDEA), state (Georgia DOE), and local (APS and Fulton County) regulations governing special education services.
• Lead the annual review and continuous improvement of policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with state and district regulations while promoting best practices in inclusive education and special education programming.
• Oversee the IEP process, ensuring all Individualized Education Plans are compliant, rigorous, and reflect student needs and academic goals.
• Partner with school-based APSS and Compliance Coordinators to ensure all state, district, and federal reporting requirements are met, including IEP timelines, student accommodations, service documentation, and progress monitoring.
• Collaborate with the Talent Team and Principals to ensure compliance with special education hiring, including maintaining appropriately certified special education teachers and service providers.
• Support schools in preparing for state and district audits, ensuring that all documentation, instructional practices, and compliance records meet or exceed requirements.

Additional Information

Compensation & Benefits:

Compensation for this role is between $90,000 - $100,000.  The starting pay will depend on various factors that may include but are not limited to professional experience, education, training, and certifications.  

KIPP Atlanta Schools offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 19 days of Paid Time Off, in addition to identified holidays and regular school breaks including Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, Mid-Winter Break and Spring Break.
• Comprehensive health insurance (medical and dental), life insurance and optional short and long term disability
• Paid Parental Leave 
• Participation in Georgia retirement plan and an optional 403(b) retirement plan

Location & Work Conditions:

This position requires routine physical activity associated with normal office environments and requires candidates to be based in Atlanta and regularly be in schools and able to attend in person meetings and events.  Additional in person time may be necessary based upon organizational needs.

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree strongly preferred (in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field).
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience, including 3+ years as a high-performing school leader (Assistant Principal, Principal, or equivalent role).
• Experience coaching and developing school leaders (APSS, Special Education Coordinators, or Instructional Coaches) in both compliance and instructional best practices.
• Proven track record of improving outcomes for students with disabilities, particularly in urban and historically underserved communities.
• Deep knowledge of Georgia’s College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) and how special education student achievement factors into school and district accountability measures.
• Expertise in continuous school improvement models and the ability to implement data-driven action plans that lead to sustainable student growth.
• Strong understanding of state and district-level priorities in special education, particularly those outlined by Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton County Schools, and the Georgia DOE.
• Skills & Competencies
• Deep knowledge of special education law, compliance, and best instructional practices for students with disabilities.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to drive instructional and operational decisions.
• Experience designing and delivering engaging, high-impact professional development for school leaders and educators.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with the ability to prioritize and execute school improvement-focused initiatives.
• Strong relationship-building skills, with a proven ability to collaborate across teams and coach leaders effectively.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment while balancing short-term and long-term priorities.
• High level of professional integrity and commitment to KIPP Atlanta Schools’ mission of educational equity.