How to Start a Process of Your Child’s Evaluation for Special Education Services (NYC)

Parents may request an evaluation in writing, with copies to the principal and the school district’s director or coordinator of special education. Parents should retain copies of all correspondence relating to their child and follow up with the school principal on the status of the request. For more read:

https://ldaamerica.org/advocacy/lda-position-papers/right-to-an-evaluation-of-a-child-for-special-education-services/ 

NYC, District 2 Community Education Council (CEC) 

https://insideschools.org/districts/2

Address: 333 7th Ave, New York, NY 10001 - Map

http://www.cecd2.net/

Superintendent:

Elementary and middle school superintendent: Bonnie Laboy, (212) 356-3739

For individual parent concerns, contact:

Elementary and middle school family support coordinator: Julie Lam, (212) 356-3739

Special Education:

Most questions about special education can be answered by your child's teacher or principal. If you are new to New York City or your child attends private or parochial school contact the nearest Committee on Special Education for an evaluation.

Committee on Special Education 

Nicholas Chavarria 

333 7th Ave, New York, NY 10016

Phone: (917) 339-1600 

If these offices cannot answer your questions, see DOEcontacts.

To resolve an issue, learn more here. Also, call the Special Education Hotline at 718-935-2007 or email SpecialEducation@schools.nyc.gov.  

Starting an evaluation process in NYC

Check the link for details:

https://www.schools.nyc.gov/special-education/the-iep-process/starting-the-process

While you may make a referral for a special education evaluation at any time, public schools serving students in grades K-12 are required to implement Response to Intervention (RTI) before making a referral.  

Response to Intervention

Response to Intervention (RTI) is an approach schools use to match individual students with the teaching practices and level of support that work best for them. While you may make a referral for a special education evaluation at any time, public schools serving students in grades K-12 are required to implement RTI before making a referral.

Make a Referral

If you want your child to be evaluated for special education services, you must make a referral.

Example of a referral: 

https://www.understood.org/~/media/4a07b441540a44e7955ceed94370d800.pdf 

https://dredf.org/special_education/training_materials/SampleLetter_ASSESS1.pdf

If you would like to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at public expense (the child's school) go to and read more:

https://www.parentcenterhub.org/iee-3/

Other related examples of letters:

https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/evaluations/evaluation-basics/download-sample-letters-for-requesting-evaluations-and-reports

How to Make a Referral

The referral must be in writing and may be made by you or a DOE school official. The referral should:

·       Describe the concerns about your child’s development, learning, and/or behavior.

·       State that you are requesting a special education evaluation.

·       List any services your child has received or is currently receiving.

·       Include your child's full legal name and date of birth.

·       Include your name, address and a telephone number where you can be reached.

·       State your preferred language, if it is not English.

Where to Send the Referral 

School-Age Students in Public School

Mail, fax, or give the written referral to the principal or a staff member in the school.

After The Referral Has Been Made

If your child is school-age, you will be sent a "Notice of Referral Letter," which:

·       Explains your rights;

·       Provides the name and telephone number of a person to call if you have questions; and

·       Asks for you to meet with the school social worker for a social history interview. The interview will be held in your preferred language or mode of communication with the help of an interpreter, upon request.

Consent

If your child has never received special education services, you will be asked to sign a "Consent for Initial Evaluation" form in your preferred language. Even if you made the referral yourself, you must still give consent for the process to begin. If you choose not to give consent your child will not be evaluated.

IEP Meeting

You will be invited to an Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting after your child's evaluation is completed.

At the meeting, the IEP team, of which you are a member, will review information from the evaluation and other sources to determine if your child is eligible for special education services. If so, the team will work together at the meeting to develop an IEP.

Meeting Location

The location of the meeting is determined by:

·       Your child’s age/grade level

·       The type of school your child attends

School-Age Students in Public School

The meeting will be held at your child’s school.