Important Information for Families
What are the Committees on Special Education (CSEs) and Committees on Preschool Special Education (CPSEs) and who do they Serve?
There are 11 CSE/CPSEs across the city, and they are responsible for coordinating the special education process for:
- Preschool children (ages 3-5)
- Students attending a private, parochial, charter, State Supported or State Approved Non-Public school in New York City
- Students who live in New York City and attend non-public schools outside New York City and New York State
- Students who receive home or hospital instruction as their placement on their IEP. (This does not include students on temporary home instruction, as these students are expected to return to their prior school)
- Students who are being home-schooled
- Students who are not attending school
How can my child be considered for special education services/how do I submit a referral to the CSEs/CPSEs?
If your child is in one of the categories listed above and you suspect they may have a disability or a delay that impacts their learning, you may submit a referral for a special education evaluation to the CSE associated with your location. See below for email addresses, fax numbers and addresses of where you can submit a referral.
How do I figure out which of the 10 CSEs/CPSEs to contact?
CSE/CPSE offices work with families based on school districts, with each CSE/CPSE supporting families in three-four districts. For preschool-age students (ages 3-5), you are assigned to the CPSE based on where your child lives. For school-age students (ages 5-21), you are assigned to the CSE where your child goes to school except in the following circumstances, in which case you are assigned to the CSE based on where your child lives:
- If your child attends a school outside of the city
- If your child is homeschooled
- If your child is not attending school and has an IEP
To learn what district you live in, go to the New York City Geographic Online Address Translator (GOAT), Click FUNCTION 1B under ADDRESS FUNCTIONS, type in your address, and then scroll down to “City Service information” where you will see “School District..."
What information should I include in my initial referral for a special education evaluation?
- Describe your concerns about your child’s development, learning, and/ or behavior
- State that you are requesting a special education evaluation
- Please provide the name and address of your child’s current school (if attending)
- List any services your child has received or is currently receiving
- Include your child’s full legal name and date of birth
- Include your name, email address, mailing address, and telephone number
- State your preferred language (if it is not English)
If I have placed my child in a New York City non-public school, what do I have to do for my child to receive special education services for next school year?
If you have placed your child in a non-public school located in New York City at your expense and want your child to continue receiving special education services while enrolled at that school next school year, you must mail a letter with the information below or email the information below to the Committee on Special Education (CSE) office for your child’s school no later than June 1.
See links below for letter/email template in your preferred language.
Where should I go if I need more information about special education?
What is the contact information for each CSE/CPSE and for submitting referrals to CSE/CPSE?
Click on each CSE region below to get contacts for CSE or CPSE, which you may use to send inquires and submit referrals. You may also hand-deliver referrals to CSE/CPSE offices, which are open to the public from 8am-4pm, Monday-Friday.
When emailing the CSE/CPSE, please include:
- Your child's first name, last name, and date of birth
- If you need support in another language
- If you (the child's parent/guardian) are deaf or hard-of-hearing
- The nature of your inquiry
The CSE and CPSE will make every effort to respond to all inquiries within 48 hours.
What can I do if my child has hearing issues, and they attend a non-public or public school?
If your child has a hearing loss, there are audiologists/hearing specialists at the CSE offices. They can support your child’s needs through the evaluation and recommendation process. Please contact your local CSE office and if you have prior evaluations to share, please include that in your communication to the CSE personnel.
CPSE/CSE 1 Districts: 7, 9, 10
CPSE/Preschool Inquiries
CSE/School Age (K-12th grade) Inquiries
CPSE/CSE 2 Districts: 8, 11, 12
CPSE/Preschool Inquiries
CSE/School Age (K-12th grade) Inquiries
CPSE/CSE 2 Address
- 3450 E. Tremont Avenue, 2nd Floor
Bronx, New York 10465
CSE/CPSE 3 Districts: 25, 26, 28, 29
CPSE/Preschool Inquiries
CSE/School Age (K-12th grade) Inquiries
CPSE/CSE 3 Address
Districts 25 & 26:
30‐48 Linden Place
Flushing, New York 11354
Districts 28 & 29:
90‐27 Sutphin Boulevard
Jamaica, New York 11435
CPSE/CSE 4 Districts: 24, 27, 30
CPSE/Preschool Inquiries
CSE/School Age (K-12th grade) Inquiries
CPSE/CSE 4 Address
Districts 24 & 30:
28‐11 Queens Plaza North, 5th Floor
Long Island City, New York 11101
District 27:
82‐01 Rockaway Boulevard. 2nd Floor
Ozone Park, New York 11416
CPSE/CSE 5 Districts: 19, 23, 32
CPSE/Preschool Inquiries
CSE/School Age (K-12th grade) Inquiries
CPSE/CSE 5 Address
- 1665 St. Marks Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11233
CPSE/CSE 6 Districts: 17, 18, 22
CPSE/Preschool Inquiries
CSE/School Age (K-12th grade) Inquiries
CPSE/CSE 6 Address
- 5619 Flatlands Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11234
CPSE/CSE 7 Districts: 20, 21
CPSE/Preschool Inquiries
CSE/School Age (K-12th grade) Inquiries
CPSE/CSE 7 Addresses
- 415 89th Street
Brooklyn, New York 11209
CPSE/CSE 8 Districts: 13, 14, 15, 16
CPSE/Preschool Inquiries
CSE/School Age (K-12th grade) Inquiries
CPSE/CSE 8 Address
- 131 Livingston Street, 4th Floor
Brooklyn, New York 11201
CPSE/CSE 9 Districts: 1, 2, 4
CPSE/Preschool Inquiries
CSE/School Age (K-12th grade) Inquiries
CPSE/CSE 9 Address
- 333 Seventh Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, New York 10001
CPSE/CSE 10 Districts: 3, 5, 6
CPSE/Preschool Inquiries
CSE/School Age (K-12th grade) Inquiries
CPSE/CSE 10 Address
- 388 West 125th Street
New York, New York 10027
CPSE/CSE 11 District: 31 (new as of March 2024)
CPSE/Preschool Inquiries
CSE/School Age (K-12th grade) Inquiries
CPSE/CSE 11 Address
In your email, please let us know:
- Your child's first name, last name, and date of birth
- If you need support in another language
- If you (the child's parent/guardian) are deaf or hard-of-hearing
- The nature of your inquiry
There may be higher than usual volume, but we will make every effort to respond to your request within 48 hours.
Committee on Special Education Staff Can Support With the Following:
- Coordinating the special education process for preschool children ages three to five. Students attending a private, parochial, charter, State Supported or State Approved Non-Public school
- Students attending non-public schools outside New York City and New York State
- Students who receive home or hospital instruction as their placement on their IEP (this does not include students on temporary home instruction, as these students are expected to return to their prior school)
- Students who are being home-schooled
- Students who are non-attending