Citywide Assessment Team Manager

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. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

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.