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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

• Demonstrated experience managing teams and leading cross-functional initiatives

• 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

CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You'll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs:

Medical Plan Options

Pharmacy

Dental

Vision

Behavioral Health EAP

Employee Wellness Program

Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow

We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savingsoptions:

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

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

Paid Leave

Sick Leave

Vacation Days

Parental Leaves

Short-Term Disability

Religious Holidays

Leaves

Reference theChicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overviewor thebenefits handbookfor 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.