Parent Members 

Parent Members contribute valuable information and support to families who request their attendance at an IEP meeting. Parent Members participate in discussions about:

  • Eligibility for special education services
  • Educational planning and goal-setting
  • Learning in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
  • Understanding the evaluation and placement processes

They help to ensure that the student's family member(s):

  • Understand and are comfortable with the IEP team's decisions
  • Have had their questions and concerns addressed

If you want a Parent Member at your child's IEP meeting, make this request in writing to your school or Committee on Special Education (CSE) at least 72 hours in advance.

Becoming a Parent Member

Parent Members receive training and go through a certification process so they can assist and support other parents at IEP meetings, when requested.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Your child has been classified with a disability or was declassified within the past five years;
  • Your child is attending school or has graduated in the past five years; and
  • You are not a DOE employee.

Process

Step 1

Attend a Parent Member training session to learn about:

  • The special education evaluation and placement process
  • Services available in DOE schools and in the community
  • Parent and student rights

Training is provided by two parent centers:

Step 2

After completing the training, you will receive a certificate and information about next steps. Next steps include submitting an application and completing the fingerprinting and security clearance process.

Payment

After training, Parent Members are paid up to $50 per day ($20 for the first 2 hours, $6 per hour after that, for a maximum of $50) for each IEP meeting attended. You are responsible for your travel costs.

For questions about becoming a parent member, email ParentIEPMember@schools.nyc.gov.