Getting Support

Speak to Your Child’s IEP Team

Your child’s IEP team may include their teacher, related service provider, school psychologist, and/or school social worker. If your child attends preschool, a charter school, a private or parochial school, or a non-public school contact your Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) or Committee on Special Education (CSE).

What do CPSEs do?

The CPSE coordinates special education evaluations and services for children ages three to five.

What do CSEs do?

They will help you as your child moves to school-age special education services.

Meet with Your Child’s Principal

The principal will discuss your concerns with you, create a plan to resolve them, and support school staff as they implement the plan.

Get Help from DOE Staff in Your District

  • Contact the Family Support Coordinators with your Community or High School Superintendent (DOE public district school students only)
  • Contact the District 75 Superintendent’s Office (if your child attends a District 75 program) by emailing d75info@schools.nyc.gov or calling 212-802-1500

Get Help from DOE Central Office Staff

Request an Impartial Hearing

You can request an impartial hearing (also known as a due process hearing) if you believe your child did not receive a free appropriate public education or reasonable accommodations. This is a legal proceeding before an Impartial Hearing Officer, who is not an employee of the DOE.

Learn more about Impartial Hearings

Request Mediation

Mediation is a confidential, voluntary process that allows people to resolve disputes without a formal due process hearing. An impartial mediator helps each person or group to express their views and positions and understand the other’s views and positions.

Mediators help parents and school representatives discuss the issues and reach an agreement. The mediator's role is not to recommend solutions or take positions or sides.

Learn More About Mediation.

File a Complaint with New York State

If you believe that the school district has violated federal or state law related to education of students with disabilities, you may submit a written complaint to the NY State Education Department.

Learn More About Filing a State Complaint