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Special Education Intervention Teacher (formerly known as IEP teacher)
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The Special Education Intervention Teacher is a centrally funded learning specialist. Learn more about this position and the role these educators play for students with disabilities.
When are teachers supposed to hold IEP meetings for students with disabilities?
IEP meetings should happen during instructional time or the teacher’s professional activity period. Under the 2023 DOE-UFT contract (Article 6B1d), IEP conferences can now also be scheduled during the 40-minute block of Other Professional Work on...
Can an IEP be amended without an IEP meeting when the school does not offer the program or service on the student’s IEP?
No, in this case, the IEP team must be convened to consider other programs and service options based on the student’s specific needs. If the team concludes that the student requires the service or program that the school does not offer, the school...
Who must participate in an IEP meeting?
Participation requirements differ based on the purpose of the meeting; refer to the IEP Team section of the DOE’s Special Education Standard Operating Procedures Manual (SOPM). When a general education teacher is a required participant in an IEP team...
When is it appropriate to amend an IEP after the annual review without an IEP team meeting?
In general, only minor changes in the IEP should be made without an IEP team meeting. Changes in the student’s program recommendations and changes that require the participation of the school psychologist on the IEP team cannot be made without a...
Can a parent record an IEP meeting?
Yes, the parent can make an audio recording of the IEP team meeting if the parent requests permission to make the recording in writing to the principal or chairperson at least one business day before the IEP meeting. If the parent makes an audio...
Can co-teachers in an ICT class “tag team” each other to participate in their students’ IEP team meetings?
No. When a general education teacher is a required member of the IEP team for the student, one of the student’s general education teachers must be present for the entirety of the IEP meeting. Similarly, when a special education teacher is a required...
Special education teachers and school counselors in middle and high schools are often assigned to develop IEPs for students they do not serve. Is this permissible?
No. According to federal law, the IEP team — which includes the parent and the teachers and related service providers who work with the student — is responsible for developing, reviewing and revising the IEP of a student with a disability (see the...
What is Chapter 408 and what does it require for a student's IEP?
Chapter 408 refers to state law and corresponding regulations requiring that: each provider responsible for implementing a student’s IEP (including general and special education teachers, related service providers, and other service providers), be...
What should be done if the administration changes an IEP to meet the school's needs?
All recommendations on an IEP, including the subjects and number of periods for ICT, must be determined by, and designed to address, the student’s needs, NOT the school’s needs. IEP recommendations must not be based on the services currently offered...
How does the IEP team arrive at appropriate service recommendations?
All special education program and service recommendations are made by the IEP team during the IEP meeting. All members of the IEP team, mandated or not, may participate in the meeting in full. IEP teams are expected to reach their decision through a...
Are IEP-assigned paraprofessionals (individual and small group) required to attend related service sessions?
The management needs section of the student’s IEP must make clear the circumstances during the school day, including related services and nonacademic settings such as lunch and transitions, for which the student requires the support of a...
Is it appropriate for the IEP team to consider whether a student requires special education support during clusters or special classes in elementary school or during electives or language classes in middle and high schools?
Yes, the IEP team should discuss whether students with disabilities require support in any instructional, grade-bearing class. Teachers of such classes who are concerned about the ability of a student with a disability to access or participate in the...
What help can the UFT provide if students are not receiving the support and services required by their IEPs or the school is not adhering to the special education regulations and requirements set out in the DOE’s Standard Operating Procedures Manual?
There are two avenues for resolving special education issues: your school’s Special Education Committee or the special education complaint. Issues that can be brought to the Special Education Committee include the failure to properly staff special...
What is Teacher's Choice?
Teacher’s Choice, initiated by the UFT over 30 years ago, allows school staff members to exercise their professional judgment to purchase supplementary supplies and materials to improve the educational experience for their students. Teacher’s Choice...
What are A+ courses for teachers?
A+ courses are professional learning courses that NYC DOE teachers may take for credit towards their salary differential.
What is the primary responsibility of the special education teacher in an Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) class?
The special education teacher is primarily responsible for delivering specially designed instruction to the group of students with disabilities to address their needs as identified in their IEPs so they can access the grade-level curriculum.
What is the Dial-A-Teacher program?
The UFT's Dial-a-Teacher program is a free, homework help/tutoring line for K-12 students attending New York City public schools. The program operates from 4pm-7pm, Monday through Thursday, on days when school is in session. The program is now fully...
Can co-teachers in an Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) class cover for each other during preparation periods?
No. Two teachers--one general education and one special education--must be present for all periods of ICT instruction required by students' IEPs. Co-teachers may not cover for each other during preparation periods.
Can a general education teacher cover for an absent special education teacher in an ICT class?
Yes, a general education teacher can provide coverage if adequate efforts have been made to locate an appropriately certified special education teacher and no one is available. However, co-teachers in the same ICT class cannot cover for each other...
What is the LEAP to teacher program for paraprofessionals?
The LEAP to Teacher Program is offered by the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies in collaboration with the UFT and participating colleges in all five boroughs. The LEAP to Teacher program helps place UFT paraprofessionals at participating...
Can I opt out of Teacher’s Choice?
If you do not wish to participate in Teacher’s Choice, you should submit a Request for Non-participation (opt-out) form to your school by the deadline indicated for that particular school year.
Are mandated providers, including special education and general education teachers in ICT classes, allowed to cover other duties during provision of service time?
No. Professionals who are obligated to provide services as mandated on IEPs (including special education teachers, general education teachers in ICT classes, related service providers, and paraprofessionals) must serve each student as mandated and...
Can co-teachers in Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) classes be assigned other duties during times that students are mandated to receive instructional services?
Co-teachers may not be assigned to other duties (such as exam scoring or coverage or test proctoring for other classes) that would prevent them from providing IEP-mandated services to their ICT class. If a co-teacher is routinely assigned to other...
I'm a new teacher. Where can I find more information about issues important to new teachers?
Teachers with 0-3 years of experience should check out the New Teacher section of the UFT website. This section contains information about mentoring, certification, licensing, the New Member Handbook, and much more.
How does the Teacher's Choice program work?
Members will receive reimbursement for classroom expenditures made within the annual spending period at the amount allocated for their job title. Then, they must submit an accountability form with receipts to the school to show the entire amount has...
What is the Lead Teacher Assistant position for paraprofessionals?
The Lead Teacher Assistant is an annual position for in-service, full-time paraprofessionals that enables them to play a more diverse role supporting student needs in the classroom and school. Lead Teacher Assistants support instruction in the...
How is Teacher’s Choice funded? Is it a contractual right?
The New York City Council created Teacher’s Choice decades ago after intense lobbying by the UFT. Teacher’s Choice is not guaranteed from year to year; the UFT has to lobby for funding for the program in every year’s city budget. Teacher’s Choice is...
Are substitute and per-diem teachers eligible for pensions?
Substitutes and per diem teachers cannot join the Teachers’ Retirement System, but they may be eligible for pension coverage with the Board of Education Retirement System (BERS). Contact BERS at 65 Court Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201, or call 929...
What are the responsibilities of being a mentor to a new teacher?
Mentors are experienced classroom teachers, instructional coaches or lead teachers who have been trained extensively in ways to best support new teachers (including doing demonstration lessons, co-teaching, offering suggestions about classroom...
How long is the work day of a substitute teacher?
The workday of a substitute teacher is fixed at 6 hours and 50 minutes, inclusive of lunch, every day (Monday through Friday), regardless of a school's professional development or parent engagement schedule. Substitutes may not leave before they have...
What is the daily pay rate for a substitute teacher?
The daily rate of pay for a substitute teacher, effective Feb. 1, 2019, is $188.75. Effective May 14, 2020,, it was$193.47; and effective May 14, 2021, it was $199.27. Effective Sept. 14, 2022, the pay rate is $205.25. The workday is fixed at 6 hours...
What does excessing mean for an untenured teacher?
Even as an untenured teacher, excessing does not mean that you are out of a job. When you are excessed, you lose your position in your school, but you do not lose your job, your salary or your medical benefits. You will have the opportunity to find...
How are people chosen to be mentors to first year teachers?
A mentor is an experienced classroom teacher, coach or lead teacher that ideally teaches the same grade or subject as the new teacher mentee. Each school has a New Teacher Induction Committee, which ensures new teachers receive this mentoring and...
What types of purchases are allowed under Teacher's Choice?
Items purchased under Teacher’s Choice must be appropriate for educational use in the classroom or for other professional assignments, such as art materials, special paper, learning aids, musical instruments and more. If supplies to mitigate the...
What types of purchases are not permitted under Teacher's Choice?
Teacher’s Choice will not reimburse purchases of furniture, fees for trips or performances, gifts for students, computer accessories for home use, power tools, appliances or equipment that requires special wiring or installation, among others. Also...
How do I join the UFT's Retired Teachers Chapter?
Retiring members who wish to continue their UFT membership and take advantage of our many benefits must enroll to join the Retired Teachers Chapter. You can enroll online or download an application form on the UFT website and mail it to us at: UFT...