Special education key links
The UFT's special education department is led by Vice President for Special Education MaryJo Ginese. The UFT is here to support you. You will find helpful resources and information pertinent to every special education teacher on this part of the UFT website. Knowledge is power and by sharing information, we can better teach and advocate for all of the students in special education. Please direct any ideas, questions or concerns to mginese@uft.org. Use the special education complaint process to facilitate problem solving around compliance issues.
Standard Operating Procedures Manual and Continuum of Services
- Special Education Standard Operating Procedures Manual (Public Version)
- The New Standard Operating Procedures Manual: A Powerful Tool for Chapter Leaders
- Continuum of special education services for school-aged students with disabilities
- Special Education Standard Operating Procedures Manual, Topic: Developing the individualized Education Program: Recommending Special Education Programs and Services
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- UFT-DOE FAQ on special education
- Special Education Compliance Complaint Form
- Designate a special ed liaison for your school (October 2015 Principals' Weekly)
Chapter 408
IEP meetings
- Amending an IEP after the annual review
- Standard Operating Procedures Manual: Who attends an IEP meeting
- Standard Operating Procedures Manual: What team is necessary when changing services
- Special Education Policy Guideline: Attendance of a General Ed or Special Ed Teacher at an IEP meeting (Principals' Weekly March 2015)
Special education programs and services
- Integrated Co-Teaching services
- Guidance on providing mandated services and absence coverage in ICT classes (Nov. 2016 Principals' Weekly)
- Special class composition and variances
- Procedure to file a variance with New York State to temporarily exceed the maximum number of students with disabilities in an ICT class
- Guidance on required considerations for IEP paraprofessional recommendations (Principals' Weekly January 2017)
- IEP-assigned paraprofessionals (SOPM)
- Guidance on initiation or continuation of IEP-assigned paraprofessionals
- Considerations for recommending toilet training or toileting assistance
Contractual issues
- Arbitration decision regarding IEP meetings held during prep periods
- Arbitration decision regarding time for SESIS
- ICT and ENL teachers can grieve unreasonable number of different courses or room assignments
- IEP teacher posting, guidance and school allocation
- Program preference and special ed
- Agreement on using program preference for special education SETSS and for special education and general education ICT positions (May 2020)
Additional information
Special Education contact information
MaryJo Ginese, UFT Vice President for Special Education
Phone: 212-598-7706
Fax: 212-254-5578
mginese@uft.org
Emma Camacho-Mendez, UFT Liaison to the DOE's Division of Specialized Instruction and Student Support (Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island)
Phone: 212-598-9594
Fax: 212-260-3053
emendez@uft.org
Kerry Yefet, UFT Liaison to the DOE's Division of Specialized Instruction and Student Support (Bronx, Queens and District 75)
Phone: 212-598-7707
Fax: 212-260-3053
kyefet@uft.org
Join the Special Education Committee
All UFT members are eligible to join. Non-UFT personnel, including university employees and union members affiliated with the New York City Central Labor Council, the AFL-CIO, NYSUT or the AFT may serve as associate members.