Special Ed and IEPs

If your child is receiving special education services, his or her school program is based on an Individualized Education Program (IEP), which was jointly developed by you, your child's teachers and service providers, assessment professionals and a representative of the school administration. Your child's IEP should reflect the services and supports your child needs to progress in the curriculum, achieve proficiency on assessments and prepare him or her  for college or work.

There are three things you can do to help ensure your child gets the support and attention she or he needs:

1. Make sure you have a copy of the current IEP.
2. Make sure each of your child’s teachers and related service providers has a copy of your child’s IEP; and if a paraprofessional works with your child individually or in your child’s classroom, make sure she or he has on-going access to a copy of your child’s IEP and has received an explanation of her or his specific responsibilities (the law requires this).
3. Together, make sure your child is getting all the support specified in the IEP.

See a list of special education resources for parents »

See tips for parents from other parents about the IEP process »

Special Education Reform

The DOE’s special education reform was rolled out in all schools in September 2012. As part of this reform, nearly all incoming elementary, middle and high school students with disabilities are now attending the same schools they would attend if they did not have IEPs. The DOE's expectations are that: students will be welcomed into their community schools; students’ needs will be met in accordance with their IEPs; schools will be responsible for configuring resources to meet the needs of their students with disabilities, which may include creating a fuller continuum of services; and families will participate as meaningful partners in making educational decisions regarding their children.

For strategies and suggestions for helping you obtain appropriate services for your children, please consult the Fact Sheet on Special Education Reform.

DOE’s Guidelines for Implementation of the Special Education Reform (2012-13)
The FAQ which appears on pages 7-10 addresses some of the more vexing problems schools are experiencing with the reform such as what happens when a school does not have enough students for a full class, or has only one student with a particular program recommendation or lacks resources to support a particular program or help prepare teachers or other school staff.

US Department of Education guidance on issues driving city's special education reform

Issues and concerns

The UFT has concerns that school personnel have been under tremendous pressure to move students to less restrictive environments regardless of their readiness or instructional capacity to meet their needs in the new settings.

Here is a checklist for parents to help you determine if your child is receiving the proper services.

If your child is not receiving the services specified in his or her IEP or is not making progress, call our special hotline at 212-701-9499 or file a complaint online. Another resource is the ARISE Coalition, of which the UFT is a member. You can reach them at 212-822-9523 or visit them online at www.arisecoalition.org.