Quality Assurance Special Education

MELANIE BYRD CHISHOLM

704-***-**** (c); abo9o1@r.postjobfree.com

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Independent Hearing Officer, October 2011 present

Preside over special education due process hearings in the District of Columbia relating to the identification, evaluation or

educational placement of children with disabilities and/or the provision of a free appropriate public education to such

children; conduct prehearing conferences; decide motions; issue decisions and orders pursuant to the Individuals with

Disabilities Education Act.

Office of the State Superintendent for Education, Washington, DC

Director of Quality Assurance and Monitoring, February 2010 September 2011

Developed and implemented a state system of monitoring for compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education

Act and District of Columbia Municipal Regulations including developing monitoring tools, designing a system for

tracking findings and corrections of noncompliance and issuing compliance monitoring reports for local public schools,

public charter schools and nonpublic day and residential schools; reviewed and issued Certificates of Approval for

nonpublic schools serving District of Columbia students with disabilities; revised and reported on State Performance Plan

and Annual Performance Report targets to the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs;

received, investigated and issued Letters of Decisions for state complaints; provided technical assistance to local

educational agencies and state educational agency divisions; collaborated with other agency divisions to formulate special

education policy; managed and supervised staff of monitors and complaint investigators.

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Washington, DC

Education Program Specialist, September 2007 January 2010

Supported formula grant programs funded by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; reviewed, analyzed and

approved State Performance Plans and Annual Performance Reports; monitored programs to ensure consistency with

federal requirements; ensured implementation of programs designed to improve results for children and youth with

disabilities; provided technical assistance based on aspects of program operations; initiated, planned and provided

leadership for national meetings, seminars and conferences regarding dispute resolution; advised managers on aspects of

dispute resolution by interpreting program requirements, criteria, rules and regulations to resolve controversies and/or

settling issues with the potential for significant policy impact; led on-site monitoring visits; prepared recommendations for

corrective action; researched and developed new and revised regulations and program guidelines.

Learning Point Associates, The Center for Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement, Washington, DC

Senior Program Manager, June 2007 September 2007; Interim Director, March 2007 September 2007

Senior Program Associate, January 2006 May 2007

Assisted state education agencies, local education agencies, and schools in organizing, planning, implementing and

sustaining improvement; evaluated and monitored district and school programs; developed and delivered school

improvement solutions utilizing program evaluation, technical assistance and professional development; create d research-

based guides, tools, and information to help schools in improvement, corrective action, or restructuring increase s tudent

achievement; conducted scholarly research; contributed to success of team by serving as special education content expert;

produced clear, accurate, and professional written communication for paper-based and electronic distribution; secured

new business; managed portfolio budgets; supervised staff.

Teach For America, Charlotte, NC

Executive Director, Teach For America Charlotte, 2004-2005

Developed a local base of funding support, including grants from corporations, foundations, and individuals; o versaw

programmatic efforts to place corps members (teachers) in low-income schools; built a support network among corps

members; cultivated a culture of excellence; increased a local awareness of Teach For America s efforts through effective

media and public relations; managed regional office and staff to ensure that resources were maximized and office systems

were effective; recruited Teach For America corps members and alumni to join staff; built university partnership to

promote corps member professional development; provided direct support to corps members through structured

observation and individualized feedback, professional development workshops, and small group meetings.

MELANIE B. CHISHOLM

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Children s Law Center, Charlotte, NC

Lead Attorney, Education Law Project, 1999-2004

Provided legal representation and advocacy for students with disabilities; filed due process actions and state complaints on

behalf of special needs students; employed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Americans with Disabilities

Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and their implementing policies and regulations; utilized

interdisciplinary approach to enhance academic success for juveniles adjudicated delinquent; represented students in

school disciplinary/exclusion hearings; conducted training for parents and professionals; supervised Program Coordinator

and legal interns; coordinated volunteer program; created and implemented Inspiring and Motivating Parent Assistance

through Collaboration and Training (IMPACT) Program.

North Central Legal Assistance Program, Durham, NC

Staff Attorney, September 1998 - December 1999

Lead Attorney, North Central Domestic Violence Project, Henderson, NC, October 1999-December 1999

Interviewed and counseled clients in areas of poverty law; negotiated and litigated in domestic violence, custody, divorce

and education cases; prepared pleadings and other legal documents including wills, Powers of Attorney, Powers of

Attorney In Loco Parentis, and separation agreements; developed and presented community education projects; instructed

clients on how to proceed pro se; coordinated intern program and supervised law school interns.

C.G. Credle Elementary School, Oxford, NC

Exceptional Children s Teacher, 1993-1995

Planned and implemented daily reading, Language Arts and math lessons for 34 Educable Mentally Disabled, Learning

Disabled and Behaviorally/Emotionally Disabled students; designed inclusion program for third and forth grade;

maintained and reviewed Exceptional Children s education records for students; modified classroom instruction and

materials; served as staff resource for teachers with struggling students.

EDUCATION

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law, Juris Doctor, May 1998

James Madison University, BS, Psychology, May 1993

COMMUNITY INVOLEMENT AND HONORS

Horton s Kids, Tutor, 2007-2009

Harvard Civil Rights Project, Steering Committee Member, 2004-2006

Distinguished Services Award, The Arc of Mecklenburg County, Inc., 2003

Mecklenburg County Teen Court, Advisory Board Member, 2000-2004; Volunteer Judge, 2000-2005

Network of Down Syndrome Supporters, Advisory Board Member, 2002-2004

Mecklenburg County Bar Association, Member, 2003-present

Community School for People Under Six, Board of Directors, 1998-1999

James E. and Carolyn B. Davis Society, 1998

The Order of Barristers, 1998

Holderness Moot Court, Chief Justice, 1997-1998

A Mission in Excellence, Volunteer and Mentor, 1995-1998

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