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.