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 Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) fully supports educators, school leaders, and families in securing the Rightful Presence and success of students with disabilities. By dismantling barriers, ensuring equitable access, and assuring compliance, OSD provides the resources needed for every student’s academic and social success, guided by high-quality IEPs. Through partnership and empowerment, OSD ensures that every student with a disability experiences success and secures their Rightful Presence in all academic and social settings.
Job Summary:
The Chicago Public Schools is responsible for completing assessment planning, evaluations, eligibility determinations and Individualized Education Programs (IEP) for the district’s non-attending students in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This includes students who are transitioning from Early Intervention to Early Childhood (EI to EC), attending Head Start or CBOs (Community Based Organizations), students who are referred by the OSD Child Find Screening Team, Referrals also include students who are parentally placed in private/parochial schools, or are homeschooled within the city of Chicago.
Reporting to the Director of Citywide Assessment & Assignment, the Citywide Assessment Team (CAT) Manager will ensure that evaluation referrals made to CPS by all non-attending students are scheduled and completed in a timely manner. This includes monitoring compliance with federal regulations and state performance plan indicators. The CAT Manager will be the central point of communication for community-based staff, private school affiliates, staff, and parents. This role will also manage several direct reports and supervise workstreams for multiple teams.
The Citywide Assessment Team Manager will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:
Supervise, develop, and manage the performance of the Citywide Assessment Teams, including but not limited to hiring, staffing, scheduling, training, and RISE/REACH evaluations
Implement all procedures established by OSD for student evaluations in accordance with state and federal mandated timelines and policies
Ensures the completion of quality evaluations of all non-attending students in the city of Chicago, including serving as a Liaison between CATS, OSD and other CPS partners, multi-site operations and logistics, planning and implementation of additional assessment days (E.g., Saturday and Summer), stakeholder communications, and database management.
Manage registration of non-attending students in ASPEN, including scanning/uploading documents and creating referrals in SSM.
Oversee day-to-day Child Find Screening Team operations to meet obligations regarding Early Childhood referrals for SPED evaluations, including by not limited to supervision of scheduling appointments and organization of assignment/rotation of multiple teams to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the evaluation process
Advise and train stakeholders on all aspects of the evaluation process and adhering to IDEA
Support the review and finalization of IEPs for students found eligible in accordance with IDEA and district policies, serving as authorized representative for the District at IEP team meetings as needed, and reviewing data to engage in strategic discussions and follow-up activities.
Ensure that all students are receiving Free Appropriate Public Education (F.A.P.E.)
Manage, monitor, and contribute to the budget and planning initiatives related to day-to-day operational and long-term goals.
Other duties and work streams as assigned.
In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Citywide Assessment Team Manager must possess the following qualifications:
Education Required:
Master’s degree from an accredited university, required; Focus in Education and/or Education-related field, preferred
Valid teaching certificate/Professional Educator’s License (PEL) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), required
Principal/Administrator endorsement (Type 75), preferred
REACH certification or completion of REACH certification within 4 months of hire, required
Experience Required:
Minimum of five (5) years of experience in a school or educational setting as a Related Service Provider, Case Manager or Special Education Teacher, including the following is required
Minimum of three (3) years of experience providing training to parents, advocates and employees/staff
Professional work experience within CPS, preferred
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Expertise in and the ability to explain and advise on all aspects of the evaluation process and adherence to IDEA
Knowledge of federal and state requirements regarding the provision of special education and related services, including timelines and procedures.
Ability to collaborate and be a creative problem solver and team player.
Ability to meet deadlines, multi-task between assessments / meetings and respond to requests based upon priority and complexity.
Ability to have shared ownership of work and expected outcomes.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrators, team members, students, parents and advocates.
Must be a motivated, energetic, critical-thinker and problem-solver who is highly organized.
Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively to maintain communication with team members, families, vendors and both internal and external partners.
Ability to promote and encourage parental involvement and participation.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications, Google Docs and Excel
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with multiple stakeholders.
Additional duties, as determined appropriate by the Chief Officer and his/her designee.
Expert knowledge of state and federal requirements regarding the provision of special education and related services, including timelines and procedures.
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 savings options:
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 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.
