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Special Education Intervention Teacher (formerly known as IEP teacher)

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.

‘A shining light’

PS 20 in Flushing, Queens, paid tribute to beloved physical education teacher Scott Brower, 42, who died March 20 after being struck by a speeding motorcyclist on Long Island.

Middle Schools Conference

The UFT’s Middle Schools Conference was back on April 9 after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, with workshops on social and emotional wellness, culturally responsive STEAM classrooms, integrated co-teaching and other topics.

Guiding the future of labor

The UFT celebrated the future-forward focus that career and technical educators bring in giving students the tools they need to join tomorrow’s labor force as more than 450 members and guests gathered at union headquarters on Feb. 12 for the union’s...

You Should Know/Key Links

Links and resources for additional support and information.

Speech Teacher SESIS Activities Letter

Under the recent agreement between the UFT and the DOE all speech teachers have been allocated up to 10 hours of per session to assist in completion of SESIS activities, especially encounter attendance. There is no posting for these hours.

Guidance on providing mandated services and absence coverage in ICT classes

See an excerpt from the Nov. 2016 Principal's Weekly on guidance on providing mandated services and absence coverage in ICT classes.

A Parent’s Guide to Special Education in New York State for Preschool and School-Age Students with Disabilities

A Parent’s Guide to Special Education in New York State for Preschool and School-Age Students with Disabilities

Topical List of DOE Guidance

See this list of key DOE special education guidance for students with disabilities organized by topic.

Group size, composition and caseload

Group size for SETSS services may not exceed eight students. Learn more »

Direct and indirect services

The student's IEP must indicate the amount of time that the student will receive Special Education Teacher Support Services, the distribution of the time between direct and indirect services, and the location of services. Learn more »

‘Crafting’ her lessons

UFT Excellence in Education Award-winning teacher Stephanie Edwards of Brooklyn's International HS at Prospect Heights taps into her English language learning students' creativity to effectively teach them social studies and economic concepts.

Your responsibilities as a paraprofessional

Paraprofessionals play an instrumental role in schools as part of a team providing educational and support services to children. Here are some of the rights and responsibilities that paraprofessionals should know about.

Sept. & Oct. 2025 posts

Posts from the Sept. and Oct. 2025 editions of Principal's Digest pertaining to students with disabilities.

Teachers union, medical experts, elected officials, and parent and community groups: Individual schools deemed unsafe must remain closed

United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew, joined by medical experts, elected officials, and parent and community representatives, announced today a sweeping program of safety reviews, testing protocols and other features designed to...

What benefits do paraprofessionals who belong to the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) receive?

Before you retire you have: The right to borrow from your TRS account. The right to participate in the TRS tax-deferred annuity program. Benefits for your family if you die after one year of service. After you retire you receive: A guaranteed pension...

I stopped receiving UFT mail, including the New York Teacher. What do I do?

To find out if we have your correct address on file and to update it if we don’t, the quickest way is to log in to the UFT website and go to "My Account" in the top right corner. From the My Account page, you can access our online change of address...

Making the leap — together

This school year, PS 133 in Harlem has three newly minted teachers who were employed as paraprofessionals at the school the previous year. The three, who have fashioned a mini support group for one another, are grateful for the help of the union and...

Paraprofessionals’ rights and responsibilities

Paraprofessionals play an instrumental role in schools as part of a team providing educational and support services to children. Here are some of the rights and responsibilities that paraprofessionals should know about.


UFT Educator Panel

Eight New York City public school educators, selected from hundreds of applicants, met with education and political leaders at the “Listen Up: The reality is…” UFT Educator Panel on April 14 and detailed what they need to best help students succeed.

Guide to Salary Steps and Salary Differentials

This guide explains how teachers can apply for salary step placement and differentials, and provides salary differential information for school social workers, school psychologists, guidance counselors and laboratory specialists.

IVR Instructions

First attendance reporting system for related and support services, special education teacher support services (SETSS) and ESL.

Am I able to team up with other staff members to pool funds to enable a larger purchase using our Teacher's Choice funds?

Yes, you can. If two or more program participants wish to pool all or any portion of their Teacher's Choice funds to purchase an item for a shared class or assignment, each must complete their own Teacher’s Choice accountability form. All...

Changes to Special Education Remote Learning Service Plans

The UFT heard from many members about their frustrations with the paperwork demands created by the Department of Education’s Special Education Remote Learning Service Plan. After relaying those concerns, we were able to convince the DOE to extend the...

Solving Problems

Learn what to do if your child is not receiving appropriate special education services.

Shedding light on a crisis

According to a 2021 survey of city educators, just slightly more than half of us teach students about climate change, and those who do only address it for about two hours per year. A group of dedicated educators is trying to shift that paradigm...

Class size FAQ

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law a landmark piece of legislation that will lower class sizes in every grade in New York City over the next six years. The FAQ below addresses some common questions and concerns about the bill and the impact it would...

Achieving tenure

Achieving tenure is an important milestone in a teacher’s career. In this Q&A, probationary teachers can learn more about the benefits of tenure, becoming eligible and how to prepare for your tenure decision.

Testimony regarding meeting the needs of all students with disabilities

UFT President Michael Mulgrew testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education regarding meeting the needs of all students with disabilities in our public schools.

UFT Secretary LeRoy Barr awarded highest honor

UFT Secretary LeRoy Barr, the winner of the Charles Cogen Award at Teacher Union Day on Nov. 2, discovered the value of strength in unity and learning from veterans early in his career.

What is the class size and composition of an Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) class?

The number of students with disabilities in an ICT class may not exceed 40 percent of the total class register with a maximum of 12 students with disabilities. All students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) count when determining the...