Manager, OSD Academic Access bei Chicago Public Schools

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 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.  In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity.  Six core values are embedded within these commitments: student-centered, whole-child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

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: 

The Manager of Academic Access plays a critical leadership role in Chicago Public Schools' efforts to ensure equitable, high-quality instruction for all students with disabilities. Reporting to the Director of Academic Access within the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD), the Manager 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.

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.
  • Providing clear goals, regular coaching, ongoing professional development, provides high-impact coaching, performance feedback, and professional growth opportunities
• Champions high-quality, 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
• Develops and oversees the execution of strategic plans that advance inclusive education and instructional equity for students with disabilities districtwide
• Aligns Special Education Coordinator efforts with broader district instructional and behavioral initiatives, ensuring cohesion and cross-departmental collaboration
• Utilizes data and research to inform decision-making, identify trends, and proactively address challenges in special education practices
• Monitors special education compliance data and ensures Special Education Coordinators support schools in meeting legal and policy requirements under IDEA, ADA, and CPS policy
• Leads data-driven accountability cycles to improve IEP development, service delivery, and student outcomes
• 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
• Partners with advocacy organizations and community stakeholders to foster inclusive, collaborative practices across CPS
• Collaborates with other CPS departments to support systemic alignment and innovation
• Leads or participates in districtwide initiatives, pilot programs, and special projects that enhance support for students with disabilities
• Other duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Manager of 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

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.