POSITION SUMMARY
The Executive Director of Exceptional Education provides visionary leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for exceptional education across Atlanta Public Schools (APS). This role ensures equitable access to high-quality, inclusive educational opportunities for students with disabilities, while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
The Executive Director leads system-wide efforts to improve outcomes for students with exceptionalities by aligning instructional practices, evaluation and eligibility processes, strengthening inclusive models, building leader and teacher capacity, and fostering strong partnerships with families and the community.
MIMIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION:
- Master's degree required; Doctorate preferred in Exceptional Education, Educational Leadership, or related ?eld.
- Additional years of equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of the degree requirement
CERTIFICATION/LICENSE:
- Valid Georgia Educator Certification in Educational Leadership or Exceptional Education preferred.
- Additional certification in School Psychology, Educational Leadership, or a related ?eld is a plus.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
- Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in exceptional education and/or related services required
- Experience leading complex systems or multiple functional areas in a large, urban district strongly preferred
- Demonstrated success improving outcomes for students with disabilities and exceptionalities.
- Experience in K–12 education or public sector preferred.
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KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Aligns evaluation, services, and instruction into a unified, high-functioning system.
- Ensures equitable access, inclusion, and outcomes for students with exceptionalities.
- Translates vision into measurable results across multiple functions.
- Builds trust and alignment across schools, departments, and communities.
- Develops leaders and teams to sustain long-term impact.
- Excellent communication, influence, and advocacy abilities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
- Develop and execute a district-wide vision for exceptional education aligned with APS strategic priorities
- Lead and align the work of psychological services, exceptional education programming, and related student supports into a cohesive, student-centered system
- Ensure coherence across evaluation, eligibility, service delivery, and instruction
- Use data to identify gaps in achievement, access, and service delivery, and drive continuous improvement
- Advise senior leadership on strategy, policy, and innovation related to exceptional education and student supports
- Ensure full compliance with IDEA, Section 504, ADA, and all state regulations
- Oversee development, implementation, and monitoring of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
- Ensure high-quality, timely, and compliant evaluations and re-evaluations
- Lead district processes related to due process, dispute resolution, and compliance monitoring
- Establish systems that balance legal compliance with strong instructional outcomes
- Partner with curriculum, instruction, and school leadership teams to ensure standards-aligned, grade-level instruction for students with disabilities
- Lead the expansion of inclusive practices and service delivery models that increase access and belonging
- Ensure alignment between eligibility decisions and instructional programming
- Drive coherence between general education and exceptional education
- Lead, develop, and evaluate leaders across exceptional education and related service areas
- Build and sustain a high-quality workforce across instructional, evaluation, and support roles
- Develop principal and school leader capacity to effectively lead exceptional education in their buildings
- Design and implement professional learning systems aligned to district priorities
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
- Build strong, trust-based relationships with families of students receiving exceptional education service
- Ensure transparent, responsive, and culturally competent communication practices
- Partner with community stakeholders to strengthen services and supports
- Address concerns proactively, centering student needs and family voice
- Oversee department budget, resource allocation, and staffing models to ensure equitable service delivery
- Ensure efficient and effective use of federal, state, and local funds
- Leverage data systems to improve service delivery and operational efficiency
- Required to have prompt, regular attendance in person and be available to work on-site during regular business hours and as needed
- Performs other duties as assigned by the appropriate administrator or their representative.
PHYSICAL ABILITIES AND WORKING CONDITIONS
The physical abilities, working conditions and other conditions of employment listed in this document are representative of, but are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of the requirements for positions in this classification. In the event of an emergency or situation requiring guidance from Federal, State, or local or school district authorities, the requirements of this position may change temporarily or for the school year to best serve the needs of our students.
Vision: Ability to read small print and view a computer screen for prolonged periods.
Hearing: Ability to tolerate exposure to noisy conditions
Speech: Ability to be understood in face-to-face communications, to speak with a level of proficiency and volume to be understood over a telephone or computer.
Upper Body Mobility: Ability to use hands to grasp and manipulate small objects; manipulate fingers, twist and bend at wrist and elbow; extend arms to reach outward and upward; use hands and arms to lift objects; turn, raise, and lower head.
Strength: Ability to lift, push, pull and/or carry objects which weigh as much as 15 or more pounds on a frequent basis.
Environmental Requirements: Ability to encounter constant work interruptions; work cooperatively with others; work independently; work indoors.
Mental Requirements: Ability to read, write, understand, interpret and apply information at a moderately complex level essential for successful job performance; math skills at a high school proficiency level; judgement and the ability to process information quickly; learn quickly and follow verbal procedures and standards; give verbal instruction; rank tasks in order of importance; copy, compare, compile and coordinate information and records. Understand how to manage stress
Additional Work Conditions & Physical Abilities: Will require travel to multiple sites.
The Atlanta Public School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any legally protected status in any of its employment practices, educational programs, services or activities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties. This job description is intended to accurately reflect the duties, responsibilities and requirements of the position. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. Management and administration reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.
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COMPENSATION:
Salary Grade: 140
Salary Range: Salary Schedules - Atlanta Public Schools
Work Year: 252 days (Annual)
