Read the latest special education guidance, policies and protocols for the 2026-27 school year. 

Principals Digest & Hub Items

Excerpts from DOE Principals Digest and Principals Hub communications pertaining to Special Education topics are posted below, which can also be accessed on the DOE InfoHub - login is required. 

October 2026

• Oct. 13 - Review Guidance on 9th Session Opportunities for NYCPS Occupational and Physical Therapists (related guidance: OT and PT 9th Session Pilot Information Pilot;  9th Session Overview)
• Oct. 6 - Place Orders for WIDA ACCESS (related guidance: WIDA ACCESS Info; NY Alt ACCESS Decision Tree; Accessibility Accommodations Manual; WIDA Headset Specs; Webinar Transcript ACCESS; Webinar Transcript WIDA)

September 2026

• Sept. 29 - Ensure IEP Mandates Are Fully Linked in Program Services Report (related guidance: Troubleshooting Common Reasons for Unlinked Mandates)
• Sept. 29 - Support Seniors with Postsecondary Applications (related guidance: College Planning Guide for Students with Disabilities, Students with IEPs and Section 504 Plans)
• Sept. 29 - Schedule Bilingual Education Revitalization School Allocation Memo Funds (related guidance: Bilingual Program Descriptions; Building Community in Your Bilingual Education Programs; SAM Bilingual Education Revitalization)
• Sept. 29 - New Legal Matters Dashboard for Tracking School-Based Investigations and Section 504 Accommodation Plans
• Sept. 29 - Screen Time Policy: Review New Instructional Guidance (related guidance: Screen Time Policy Instructional Guidance; Guidance on Artificial Intelligence & Screen Time; AI and Screen Time Deck)
• Sept. 8 - Start-of-School Assistive Technology (AT) Reminders
• Sept. 8 - Notify Families about Medicaid Reimbursement for OT and PT Services
• Sept. 1 - Orientation Procedures for Related Service Providers
• Sept. 1 - SESIS Start of Year Special Education Checklist for Principals, Webinars and Resources
• Sept. 1 - Utilize Checklist for Organizing Resources to Support Full Provision of Special Education Programs 
• Sept. 1 - Mandatory 504 Coordinator Training for 2026-27
• Sept. 1 - Mandatory 2026-27 Diabetes Training for Identified Staff and All Paraprofessionals

August 2026

• Aug. 25 - Required Special Education Rules, Regulations and Resources Training
• Aug. 25 - Ensuring Medical Rooms are Ready to Support Students
• Aug. 25 - Ensure Scheduling of IEP-mandated Programs and Inform Staff of Responsibilities for IEP Implementation (related guidance: Recommended Timeline for Ensuring Full Provision of Special Education Programs )
• Aug. 25 - Welcoming Families of Students with IEPs on First Day of School