Special Education Speech and Language Services Manager

Company DescriptionAbout KIPP Texas Public SchoolsKIPP Texas Public Schools is a free, public charter school network with more than 45 Pre-K - 12 schools across Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. With over 30 years in Texas, we work together with our families and communities to prepare students for college, career, and beyond! Our schools provide a high-quality, well-rounded education built on academic success and personal growth, where all students learn and thrive in a productive, safe, and joyful way!As one of the earliest charter networks in Texas-founded in Houston in 1994 and operating as KIPP Texas since 2018-we hire dynamic, collaborative, and dedicated individuals with an unyielding belief that every child will succeed. Join a Team and Family with an unwavering commitment to creating classrooms, offices, and communities rooted in academic success and joy. If you are passionate about joining a mission-driven community that wants every child to "run to school," the KIPP Texas Team and Family is for you!KIPP Public Schools is a national network of public charter schools that prepares students with the skills and confidence to create the future they want for themselves, their communities, and us all. We are a network of 278 schools with nearly 16,500 educators and 190,000 students and alumni.Job DescriptionThe Manager of Special Education Speech and Language Services serves as a critical leader within Special Education, providing strategic oversight, operational leadership, and accountability for high-quality speech-language services across KIPP Texas. This role collaborates closely with regional leaders, campus teams, compliance, legal, and talent partners to ensure that speech-language pathology services are delivered in a timely, legally compliant, culturally responsive, and instructionally impactful manner for students with disabilities.The Manager of Special Education Speech and Language Services leads the statewide implementation of speech-language pathology service systems across all KIPP Texas regions (Austin, DFW, Houston, San Antonio). This roledirectly supervises a statewide team of Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), Speech-Language Pathologist Assistants (SLPa's) and Speech Paras, ensuring consistency, compliance, and quality across assessment-informed service delivery, IEP implementation, and progress monitoring.The position is responsible for monitoring service delivery, managing caseloads, addressing escalations, improving systems, and building SLP capacity. The role partners cross-functionally to ensure that speech-language services meaningfully support access to instruction, IEP goals, language development, and student outcomes.Strategy: Supports the strategic vision for Special Education by developing and strengthening speech-language service delivery systems that promote compliance, equity, and high-quality intervention practices. Executes, monitors, and refines systems aligned to departmental goals and network priorities.Communication: Ensures clear, proactive communication across regional teams, campus leaders, SLPs, and cross-functional partners. Provides responsive support and escalation management to resolve complex service delivery concerns.Legal Framework & Compliance: Demonstrates deep knowledge of IDEA, Texas Education Code, TEA guidance, and ASHA standards related to speech-language services, service delivery models, documentation, and IEP implementation. Ensures systems promote legally defensible and student centered practices.ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES:Leadership & ManagementManage and directly supervise a statewide team of 10-month Speech-Language Pathologists across four regions.Provide ongoing coaching and professional development to build SLP capacity in compliance, evidence-based intervention, collaboration, and culturally responsive practices.Lead regular one-on-ones, team meetings, calibration sessions, and professional learning experiences.Ensure SLPs/SLPa's are appropriately resourced, trained, and supported to meet service delivery, documentation, and quality expectations.Monitor caseload distribution and service models; adjust staffing, coverage, and supports to mitigate risk and promote sustainability.Support onboarding, mentorship, and performance management for new and existing SLPs and SLPas.Assessment Coordination & OversightMonitor the delivery, quality, and timeliness of speech-language services in accordance with IEPs, service minutes, and least restrictive environment requirements.Serve as a point of contact for complex cases involving service delivery concerns, parent disputes, compensatory services, or compliance risks.Partner with regional leaders, ARD facilitators, and campus teams to resolve barriers impacting service implementation.Ensure consistency in speech-language service models across regions, including push-in, pull-out, consultative, and collaborative approaches.Provide guidance on service recommendations to ensure alignment with student needs, instructional impact, and data-driven decision-making.Provide guidance to SLPs and campus teams on AAC consideration, selection, implementation, and progress monitoring in alignment with IDEA and best practices.Support teams in addressing complex AAC cases, including access across environments, staff training needs, and family collaboration.Data, Systems & Compliance MonitoringTrack service delivery, caseloads, missed minutes, and compliance metrics using internal dashboards and monitoring systems.Analyze trends in speech-language data to identify risks, gaps, and system-level improvement opportunities.Collaborate with Compliance and Legal teams to ensure speech-language services meet federal, state, and organizational standards.Coordinate quality assurance reviews of IEP goals, service documentation, progress monitoring, and Medicaid-related requirements as applicable.Use data to drive continuous improvement across SLP practices and service delivery systems.Training & Professional LearningCo-facilitate professional development for SLPs, campus teams, and regional leaders related to:Speech-language service delivery modelsIEP goal development and progress monitoringLanguage-based instructional strategiesProcedural safeguards and service complianceCulturally and linguistically responsive practicesAAC Device Selection & UseProvide onboarding training for new SLPs/SLPa's to ensure consistency in expectations, systems, and clinical practices.Coach SLPs on effective participation in ARD meetings, including communicating progress, collaborating with families, and supporting instructional teams.Cross-Functional CollaborationPartner with ARD Facilitators, campus leaders, and instructional teams to strengthen IEP implementation and access to instruction.Collaborate with Compliance, Legal, and Leadership teams to address complex cases, audits, and monitoring findings.Support Legal, Compliance, and Leadership with data, documentation, and guidance related to complex cases or external inquiries.Perform all other tasks and duties as assignedQualificationsQUALIFICATIONS:Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited institutionCurrent Texas licensure as a Speech-Language Pathologist and ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP)Minimum of two years of successful experience providing speech-language services in a school-based settingCOMPETENCY AND SKILLS:Strong knowledge of IDEA, Texas Education Code, TEA guidance, and ASHA standardsDemonstrated knowledge of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), including feature matching, implementation across settings, and integration into IEP service delivery (required).Experience supporting AAC systems and coaching teams on AAC implementation in school-based settings (preferred).Experience in campus and/or district-level leadership rolesDemonstrated proficiency with computer systems including Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and Outlook emailDemonstrated success in managing caseloads, service delivery compliance, and documentation requirementsStrong organizational systems, coaching skills, and data analysis abilitiesPhysical Requirements:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.The person in this position needs to be able to move about inside and outside the school throughout the workday.The candidate is expected to attend conferences, meetings and training sessions both virtually and in person within the Region.Additional Requirements:Reliable transportation is needed for travel between campusesAbility to maintain emotional control under stress.Work with frequent interruptions.Work Environment:Reports to school site Monday-Friday.Occasional weekend or after hours work for cultivation and recruiting eventsTypical school environment with frequent interruptions.Travel Requirements:Minimal travel; may travel to other school sites or regional offices for professional learning or meetings.Additional InformationWhat We Bring to the Table:Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with coverage options for employees and their families.Competitive vacation and flexible paid time off (PTO) policies.Paid family leave.Flexible spending account or high-yield HSA.Employee assistance programs.KIPP also offers the following employee-paid benefits: legal plans, LifeLock identity protection, life insurance and disability insuranceEEO:KIPP Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP Texas ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability. Any individual needing assistance in making an application for any opening should contact the Talent Team.