Creating Supportive Learning Environments for All
Re-Imagining Special Education for New York City Students
As We Move Together Towards Full Inclusion and Interdependence
It is more important than ever to create inclusive, welcoming learning environments for every student so that they feel safe and experience success. Truly inclusive schools recognize the interdependence of each member of the school community, and that there is huge collective benefit when we acknowledge, value, and promote each member’s strengths. Ensuring inclusion will enable us to address areas of inequity while continually strengthening and renewing our commitment to high quality instruction for every student.
Special Education includes services, programs, and specially designed instruction to meet the individual needs of a student with a disability. Students with disabilities who require special education services have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The IEP is created by a team that includes you, the family .
The IEP is a legal document that describes how the DOE will provide your child with a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) appropriate to meet your child’s needs. It is a regulatory requirement that students with IEPs have access to the general education curriculum and an education with general education peers to the greatest extent possible, and as close to their home as possible, otherwise known as their least restrictive environment. LRE is a commitment that your child will be in schools and classrooms with peers without disabilities for as much of the day as possible. Students may not be removed from the general education setting simply because adaptations, accommodations, or modifications are needed.
Guiding Principles
- All students must have a sense of belonging and acceptance inspired and reinforced by their school community.
- General education is always the first consideration for any student with an IEP.
- Decision making regarding special education services is a team process inclusive of the family and student.
- Supplementary aids and services, accommodations, modifications, and specially designed instruction can and should be provided in the general education classroom.
Language Initiative
View our Inclusive and Interdependent Language Initiative on our Boldly Reimagining Special Education page(Open external link).
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Where Do Students with IEPs Attend School?
Students with IEPs participate in the same admissions processes as their non-disabled peers. All schools serve students with disabilities. That's because special education is not a class or a place. Rather, it describes a wide range of services that can be provided in a variety of school settings.
While most students with IEPs attend their zoned or district school, NYC Public Schools has made tremendous efforts to develop high quality and highly specialized programs. The ASD Nest and Horizon Program, for example, has a graduation rate of 95%+ and is recognized.
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Some students with IEPs attend one of our specialized programs in district schools such as NEST, Horizon, or PATH. While other students require the support of a District 75 program or an accessible school building. The IEP team will conduct evaluations to determine which school setting will best support your child in reaching his or her academic goals.
Wherever your child attends school, know that school staff are trained to develop high quality IEPs, educate students with different needs, and create inclusive schools where students with and without disabilities share one school community.
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Continuum of Services
There is an array of services available to support your child(Open external link) in his or her
least restrictive environment. There must be a clear justification anytime a student is removed from the general
education setting.
Click the link above to learn about classroom recommendations that the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team may consider for your child.
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The IEP in NYCSA
If your child attends a DOE school, you can view information about their IEP by visiting the IEP tab of your NYC Schools Account (NYCSA). Here you will find a summary of IEP recommendations, along with information about where and when your child is receiving recommended special education programs and related services. For more information about NYCSA, visit NYC Schools Account(Open external link). For guidance on creating an account, visit the NYCSA Account Set Up Guide for Parents(Open external link).