Special Education at KIPP DC:  At KIPP DC, we employ special education teachers PreK3-12th grade in all of our 20 schools and The Learning Center. Special education teachers at KIPP DC work alongside general education teachers, the student support team, and families to create intentional and rigorous goals and supports for our students with individual educational plans (IEP). Our special education team offers a tiered system of support to ensure that students are receiving the targeted instruction they deserve. KIPP DC offers a variety of models that include both inclusion and small group settings. Primary (PreK3-4th grade) special educators focus on both literacy and math instruction, while secondary (5th-12th) special educators are responsible for a specific content area. Special education teachers report to their school leader, while also receiving coaching and support from our student support team.

The Learning Center: Grounded in the values of determination, flexibility, respect, and joy, The Learning Center (TLC) provides individualized learning support for PreK4-8th grade students who are enrolled in KIPP DC schools, and who benefit from specialized educational supports. Students are engaged in a small, safe, and supportive learning environment that can nimbly respond to their needs and accelerate their learning. With a 3:1 student to adult ratio, TLC is able to provide a comprehensive intervention program to meet students academic, behavioral, and adaptive needs based on their unique profile.  

The Learning Center staff is made up of teachers, related service providers, behavior analysts, and mental health providers who work together to ensure students are provided with individualized interventions designed to accelerate their growth. TLC staff receive professional development aligned to KIPP DC grade level curriculum and interventions, and pilot individualized interventions when needed to meet the needs of all students. 

Professional Development: At KIPP DC, we offer a variety of resources to support our special educators. Special education teachers have access to blended learning programs to supplement their curriculum and receive specific coaching from our special education and academic coaches to help tailor their lesson plans to meet the student needs. Each campus has student support leaders to serve as a guide throughout the IEP process. For candidates who are looking for additional development, we also offer the Fellowship in Special Education that prepares teachers to become certified in special education in the District of Columbia.

Why Teach Special Education at KIPP DC:

• Collaboration. Through ample planning time, grade level and content meetings, and development and wellness days, teachers work collaboratively with peers at their school and across our six middle schools.
• Growth. Teachers receive feedback and support from school leaders, network content coaches, grade-level chairs, and other teammates to improve their teaching craft. We also offer opportunities to develop leadership skills including grade-level chair, fellowships, and leadership cohorts. 
• Highly competitive compensation and benefits. Our instructional salary scales are at the top of the DC market and affirm KIPP DC’s value of teachers as the cornerstone of schools.