Chief Academic Officer

Description

 The Chief Academic Officer is charged with overseeing the program of studies and the delivery of quality instruction to all students. This position is responsible for both sustaining and improving the culture of high excellence and school improvement, has direct accountability for the academic performance of the school, and provides leadership and expertise for curriculum, instruction, and school improvement.  The CAO is responsible for developing and implementing both short-term and long-term strategic and operational academic plans for the school which include AEFE membership. Further, the director oversees the administration of state required student academic assessments as well as DELF. Works with Principals and Directors to ensure vertical alignment and articulation of curriculum, instruction, and assessments for PK-12 classrooms across the school.

Responsible for French Affairs and support for French speaking staff. Responsible for developing a comprehensive transition plan along with leaders from the Human Capital Management department for all employees arriving in the United States. Leads conversations, promotes equity, in access to effective instruction, openly engages staff and stakeholders in dialogues about opportunity gaps and collaborates with staff and school leaders to develop innovative plans to eliminate bias and racism in the classrooms and school.  

Role and Responsibilities
The duties of the Director of Academics include, but are not limited to the following tasks:

1. Responsible for the development, implementation and supervision of the Lycée’s custom curriculum.
2. Responsible for supporting the Chief of Staff with oversight, implementation, monitoring, compliance and supervision of special education programming.
3. Responsible for the Lycée’s curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices 
4. Responsible for planning, organizing, supervising and evaluating a comprehensive staff development program that addresses identified staff needs, supports Lycée’s reform efforts and focuses on student achievement in each of the Core Curriculum Content Standards and French National Curriculum Standards.
5. Responsible for the Lycée’s guidance and counseling programs.
6. Provide structure for periodic measurement and evaluation of the success of the curriculum, in terms of the educational growth and achievement of students.
7. Provide for the introduction of relevant innovative programs, revised methodology and new books, materials and technology for upgrading and updating the curriculum
8. Plan, organize, supervise and evaluate a comprehensive staff development program that addresses identified staff needs, supports Lycée’s reform efforts and focuses on student achievement in each of the Core Curriculum Content Standards and French National Curriculum Standards.
9. Recommend to the Superintendent/CEO the addition of new courses, grade placement, graduation requirements, etc.
10. Develop curriculum guides to be distributed to staff and/or other concerned parties.
11. Provide network-wide leadership and guidance for the scheduling and organizing for grade level and departmental meetings in order to effect horizontal and vertical continuity and articulation of the instructional programs in the schools.
12. Plan and present a series of meetings each year for the purpose of interpreting to the Board and to the parents and public at large, the educational programs of the schools.
13. Coordinate the selection of textbooks and instructional materials throughout the Lycée’s school network through the use of researched-based adoption processes with the support of faculty committees and recommend those selected to the Superintendent for adoption by the Board.
14. Meet on a regular basis with all instructional supervisors for the purpose of maintaining ongoing supervision, coordination and implementation of the Lycée’s curriculum.
15. Conduct coaching sessions with principals and evaluate principals in collaboration with the CEO
16. Conduct school building walkthroughs with the  Superintendent/CEO to collect data and provide supervision of  principals
17. classroom observations and provide supervision/evaluation of Directors and Instructional Supervisors (with input from building principals).
18. Supervise and evaluate building principals in collaboration with the Superintendent.
19. Prepare drafts of Board policies and administrative guidelines for the Superintendent’s review and/or Board action.
20. Attend Board meetings and prepare such reports and presentations as the Superintendent may request.
21. Monitor the purchasing of instructional materials and equipment.
22. Evaluate the performance of assigned personnel in accordance with law, code and Board policy.
23. Plan, organize, implement, supervise, coordinate and evaluate curricula to ensure that each student meets and exceeds the Core Curriculum Content Standards.
24. Organize and administer the assessment program to measure student performance in the core Curriculum Content Standards and French National Curriculum Standards.. Collect, analyze and distribute data regarding the needs and achievement of students and other pertinent information affecting the design and implementation of services and programs, using the information to recommend new programs and modifications to existing programs.
25. Collect and analyze test data and maintain longitudinal study of all test data with an emphasis on student growth and achievement.
26. Coordinate, advise and direct the supervisors and other assigned personnel on matters related to curriculum, instruction, the writing of proposals to procure State, Federal and private funds and monitoring.
27. Oversee compliance with Federal, State, French, and local program regulations, to collect and report required data and to ensure that applications, reports, evaluations, etc. are submitted in a timely fashion.
28. Protect confidentiality of records and information gained as part of exercising professional duties and use discretion in sharing such information within legal confines.
29. Perform any duties that are within the scope of employment and certifications, as assigned by the Superintendent and not otherwise prohibited by law.
30. Adhere to Louisiana charter school law, State Board of Education rules and regulations, Board of Education policies and regulations and contractual obligations.

Academic programs

• Leading the mapping of the curriculum to align the French National Curriculum with the Louisiana Student Standards and serves as the lead communicator with CODOFIL
• Ensuring compliance with French and Louisiana mandates
• Making research-based and program appropriate decisions on curriculum adoption
• Leading the French accreditation process
• Providing oversight of TOC Program
• Collecting and analyzing relevant academic data in order to make strategic instructional decisions
• Cooperate with CEO,  Principals and Director of ESS in reviewing and updating the Pupil Progression Plan
• Supporting instructional staff by providing  appropriate and meaningful professional development
• Ensuring that French is spoken exclusively during delivery of  instruction in French content classes
• Support and advise Principals in AEFE updates and requirements
• Train administrators on COMPASS and other staff evaluation tools, provide principals with specific supports to administrative teams as needed on evaluating teachers
• Supervise the COMPASS process to ensure compliance and coherence across campuses with all evaluation tools
• Research and support best practices for Second Language Acquisition strategies
• Assist Principals and administrative teams in collecting data through walkthrough tools and complete COMPASS calibration activities
• Establish measures for the growth and improvement of French proficiency among students
• Leading the  design and implementation of Student Learning Targets (SLT) to promote growth
• Providing demonstration lessons or coaching as needed
• Assisting with formal teacher evaluations as prescribed by Compass.
• Presentations of our school program for both internal and external audiences
• Working with external partners in the evaluation and improvement on current programs

Student Assessment

• Create complex student data presentations and make connections between data trends and instructional practice.
• Establishing and reviewing for equity and effectiveness, all grading policies, including classroom grading practices.
• Supervise the Testing Coordinator, administer the DELF exams and coordinate Proficiency Testing for all new students
• Analyzing all assessment reports (French and LA) and sharing trends with academic team in order to improve instruction
• Participate in and present at the Academic Committee of the Board

Overseeing  the administration of state required LEAP test,  DELF and Brevet des Collège when applicable 

Requirements

 Expectations and Skills 

• Strong commitment to the mission and vision of Lycée Français
• Strong champion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and understanding of their central role in leading conversations about equity within the school community
• A leader committed to academic excellence and achievement for a diversity of student learners
• Knowledge of the French Ministry of Education and the Louisiana Department of Education standards and expectations
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with a diverse corps of teachers and leaders
• Experienced writer, especially of lesson and unit plans, and other curricular materials
• Able to prioritize, organize, and lead by example
• Proficiency in both the French and English language

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Certification in the French National Curriculum
• Hold a valid Louisiana or out-of state teaching certification 
• Hold a doctorate degree from an accredited college or university
• Have excellent administrative experience and experience in working with Board members, the public,
  parents, students, faculty and staff.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of curriculum development and program evaluation, child
  growth and development, effective instructional strategies, classroom management, learning assessment
  and diagnosis and research related to learning.
• Demonstrate skills in leadership and human resource management, communications, quantitative and
  qualitative decision-making, finance, educational law,  government relations, community relations
  and management of school network  operations.
• Hold and maintain a valid driver’s license with no serious violations.
• Demonstrate excellent organization skills.
• Demonstrate the ability to motivate people.
• Have excellent integrity and demonstrate good moral character and initiative.
• Exhibit a personality that demonstrates enthusiasm and interpersonal skills to relate well with students,
  staff, administration, parents and the community.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in English both orally and in writing, including
  Standard English usage, grammar and vocabulary.
• Demonstrate the ability to use technology for word processing, data management, presentations and
  telecommunications.
• Provide proof of U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status by completing Federal Form I-9 in
  compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
• Five (5) years successful teaching experience.
• Three to five  years of successful leadership in an educational setting
• Meet such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent may find appropriate and
  acceptable.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at LFNO

Lycée is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community, both through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our daily practices. LFNO staff represent a wide diversity of racial, cultural, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities--opening a window to the entire LFNO community on the richness of humanity. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our consequential work.

Job descriptions are created to provide a framework of responsibilities and are not inclusive of all duties that may be required. Lycée employees embody an “all hands on deck” mentality and do whatever it takes to get the job done regardless of title.