Supervisor of Special Education Data and Policy

Introduction

The Maryland State Department of Education strives to foster an exceptional educational system that equips all students to succeed academically and professionally in the modern era. Our divisions manage state and federal initiatives serving a diverse group of students, educators, and administrators statewide.

Main Purpose

This role supervises data and policy operations within the Family Support and Dispute Resolution Branch, ensuring comprehensive compliance, accountability, and strategic policy formation under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The supervisor leads the evaluation of legal and policy materials branch-wide, guides corrective action after dispute resolution findings, and manages data collection and dissemination to fulfill state and federal mandates.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead staff managing corrective actions and oversee policy, data, and accountability functions within the branch.
• Perform quality assurance on legal documents, policy statements, and formal decisions to confirm alignment with IDEA, COMAR regulations, and MSDE policy.
• Act as the branch’s leading authority on special education law interpretation and implementation.
• Design and maintain strong internal/external accountability systems to evaluate compliance and dispute resolution effectiveness.
• Create and execute an annual plan for professional development and technical assistance addressing state and local priorities and data trends.
• Collaborate with family support services to collect and analyze statewide data measuring service impact and identify statewide technical assistance needs.
• Analyze dispute resolution trends and develop trainings to promote informal dispute resolution engagement by LEAs and parents.
• Manage and investigate complex or sensitive State complaints as directed by branch leadership.
• Oversee the development and tracking of LEA and public agency corrective actions following state complaint investigations.
• Develop and enforce IDEA compliance systems ensuring timely, durable correction of noncompliance.
• Manage the Public Information Act (PIA) response protocols for the Division of Special Education.

Qualifications

• Education: Juris Doctorate, Master’s degree, or equivalent 36 post-baccalaureate credits in Education, Special Education, or related fields.
• Experience: Minimum of four years in legal, policy, administrative, compliance, accountability, or teaching roles linked to special education or disability programs.
• Selective qualifications include at least one year providing legal or policy analysis related to special education or compliance monitoring experiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate focused on special education or disability law.
• Extensive background in public policy and legal application.
• Experience with IDEA or related disability regulations and programs.
• Conducting authoritative legal and policy research and advising decision-makers.
• Leadership experience supervising staff and managing compliance systems in special education.

Additional Notes

• Educational and experience substitutions are accepted per MSDE guidelines; military service may substitute for required credits or experience.
• Applicants must pass State and FBI background checks.
• All application materials must comprehensively demonstrate qualifications by the closing date.
• Applications will be reviewed and candidates ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified, remaining eligible for one year.

Benefits and Employment Information

Benefits are consistent with Maryland State employee programs. The position is based onsite at the Nancy S. Grasmick Education Building, Baltimore, MD.

Application Process

Applicants must complete the Maryland State Government online application and submit a detailed resume demonstrating qualifications. Paper applications are available upon request. Assistance for applicants with disabilities is provided upon request. Proof of work eligibility is required. The employer values diversity and encourages applications from veterans, individuals with disabilities, and bilingual candidates.