Joshua Long
Chief Officer, Office for Students with Disabilities
- Role
- Chief Officer at Chicago Public Schools
- Location
- Chicago, IL, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
Experience
Chief Officer
Jan 2024 — Present
As Chief of the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) at Chicago Public Schools (CPS), I lead teams dedicated to advancing equity and access for students with disabilities, securing their Rightful Presence in all academic and social settings. This work moves beyond inclusion, focusing not just on placement in classrooms but on ensuring that students experience a true sense of belonging—where they are valued, engaged, and integral members of their school communities.With oversight of more than 600 schools and 1,900 staff members, I lead teams that strengthen instructional quality, expand professional learning opportunities, and improve operational systems that impact special education services. Compliance is not just about meeting legal requirements—it is about creating meaningful change that improves student outcomes. Every initiative we implement is designed to make schools more inclusive, so students with disabilities are not just present in classrooms but fully participating in learning, relationships, and leadership opportunities.Under my leadership, OSD has undergone a significant transformation, focusing on instruction, operational efficiency, and stronger partnerships with families and educators. My teams have worked to improve communication and transparency, making sure parents feel heard and educators feel supported. We have tackled long-standing operational challenges, strengthening staffing, payroll, and service delivery systems while expanding professional learning and development for educators and staff who support students with disabilities.At the heart of this work is the belief that students with disabilities deserve more than access—they deserve to belong. Rightful Presence isn’t about making space—it’s about reshaping systems so that every student is recognized as an essential part of their school. I am committed to leading teams that make this vision a reality.
Education
Governors State University
Master's degree, Educational Leadership and Administration, General
2007 — 2009
University of North Dakota
Master's degree, Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
1998 — 2000
Indiana University Bloomington
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Communication Sciences and Disorders, General
1993 — 1998
Skills
- Curriculum Design
- Curriculum Development
- Educational Leadership
- Teaching
- Leadership
- Public Speaking
- Teacher Training
- Classroom Management
- Staff Development
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