Job Overview
Company Description
KIPP Texas Public Schools is a nonprofit public charter school network, dedicated to preparing students in educationally underserved communities for college success and choice-filled lives. Today, KIPP Texas operates 59 public charter schools educating over 31,100 students across four regions – Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. KIPP Texas is part of the national KIPP network of 255 college-preparatory public charter schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia. KIPP schools are part of the free public school system and enrollment is open to all students. Nationwide, KIPP students complete four-year college at a rate of 36 percent, comparable to the national average for all students and approximately three times higher than the average of students from low-income families.
Job Description
The Opportunity
The Educational Diagnostician will provide diagnostic information on student learning. He/she/they will work cooperatively with instructional faculty and parents to provide an appropriate education program for students in grades K-12 with disabilities throughout the region. This position furthers the mission of KIPP Texas as it helps ensure that all students have the tools and the supportive environment they need to learn.
Key Responsibilities
The Educational Diagnostician will:
- Conduct bilingual evaluations and other professional activities consistent with the requirements of laws, rules and regulations, and local district policies and procedures
- Ensure evaluation practices are provided in an ethical and professional manner
- Utilize various assessment instruments and techniques to assist in identifying students eligible for special education services and in determining appropriate intervention strategies and techniques
- Select, administer, and interpret appropriate formal and informal assessments and evaluations
- Collaborate with KIPP’s Special Education Teachers , Social Workers, agencies, and other mental health service providers, when needed
- Apply knowledge of ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity and the significance of student diversity for evaluation, planning, and instruction
- Attend Admissions, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee meetings and interpret evaluation results
- Demonstrate knowledge of eligibility criteria and procedures for identifying students with disabilities and determining the presence of an educational need for special education
- Provide schools support with Response to Intervention processes and recommend interventions
- Provide informative workshops for educators, school leaders and faculty members
- Work with members of the Special Education Team to provide at least one workshop per year at each KIPP Texas Campus; Address issues such as in-classroom interventions for academics or behavior
- Provide educators and parents with resources related to Special Education
- Assist school personnel in the identification and understanding of students with disabilities
Skills and Qualifications
Education and Knowledge:
- Master’s degree or higher from an accredited institution
- A minimum of 2 years of successful teaching experience and employment experience, preferred
- Certification as an Educational Diagnostician
- Knowledge of federal and state Special Education law
- Knowledge of best practices for Special Education
Qualifications
Skills:
- Experience collaborating with team members and providing constructive and instructive feedback
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Articulate, professional demeanor with strong self-confidence and initiative
- Ability to work both on broad-based strategy and everyday details
- Ability to exercise excellent judgment in decision-making
- Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing priorities
- Ability to synthesize knowledge and present it to stakeholders in a comprehensive manner
- Ability to interpret policy, procedures, and data
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
- Independent, self-starter with a strong focus on student development
- Dependable, organized, efficient, and creative
- Proven written and verbal communication skills; Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of special needs students and their parents
- Strong organizational and planning skills
- Possession of a passionate and loving attitude toward all children
- Committed to the mission of KIPP
- Responsiveness; Follow-up and follow-through with students, families, and faculty members is essential
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)
- Proficiency using computers, printers, copy machines, and fax machines
- Bilingualism (English-Spanish)
- Additional Requirements:
- Reliable transportation is needed for travel between campuses
Additional Information
Compensation and Benefits:
As a full time KIPP Texas employee you are eligible to participate in all KIPP Texas’ benefit plans. KIPP Texas offers a robust variety of benefits choices, including medical, dental, and vision options, as well as life insurance, fertility, and disability plans starting as low as $25/month.
KIPP provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees.
As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability
