Special education key links

Special Education Policies & Procedures

• Special Education Standard Operating Procedures Manual (Public Version)
• UFT-DOE FAQ on special education

Individualized Education Programs & Teams

• Chapter 408 overview
• Amending an IEP after the annual review
• IEP Team members and meetings: 
  • Team Members
  • Program & service changes: school psychologist participation
  • Teacher participation for full duration of meeting

Programs & Services

• DOE Continuum of Special Education services - (Also on DOE Info Hub - login required) 
• ICT
  • Providing mandated services and absence coverage
• SETSS
• Special (self-contained) classes
• Variances

Paraprofessional Support Services (1:1 & group)

• Guidance on initiation or continuation of IEP-assigned paras
• Special Considerations: IEP-assigned paraprofessionals (SOPM)
  • Behavior
  • Health
  • Toileting
  • Orientation & Mobility
• Language support (alternate placement paraprofessional) (see footnote, p. 20)
• Diapering & Toileting
  • Safety guidelines
  • Considerations for recommending toilet training or assistance
  • 3-K for All & Pre-K for All Handbook (p. 23)
  • SOPM (p. 64)

Multilingual/English language learners

• Policy and Reference Guide

Resolving Compliance & Contractual Issues

• Compliance
  • Checklists
  • Special Education Compliance Committee
  • Special Education Compliance Complaint

Contract Requirements & Issues

• IEP meetings held during preparation periods
• Time for SESIS
• Reorganization grievances for ICT & ENL teachers assigned unreasonable number of courses or rooms
• Program preference
  • Contract
  • Agreement on using program preference for special education SETSS & ICT positions

• Special Education Intervention Teacher (formerly IEP teacher)
  • Posting
  • School Allocation Memorandum

MaryJo Ginese, UFT Vice President for Special Education
Phone: 212-598-7706
mginese@uft.org

UFT Liaisons to the DOE's Division of Specialized Instruction and Student Support:

Brooklyn & District 75: Steven Mintzer
Phone: 212-701-9698
smintzer@uft.org

Bronx & Queens: Elizabeth McGovern
Phone: 212-510-6335
emcgovern@uft.org

Manhattan & Staten Island: Raphael Tomkin
Phone: 212-598-7727
rtomkin@uft.org