Understanding the special education evaluation process in New York City can be daunting, but it’s crucial for ensuring your child receives the support they need. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect:
Consent and Evaluation Timeline
Once you give consent, the school district has 60 calendar days to evaluate your child.
Evaluation Locations
Preschool-Age Children
Children may be eligible for preschool special education services from age three through the end of the school year in which they turn five. Upon receipt of your written referral, the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) will send you a referral packet containing:
- A list of approved evaluation sites
- Important information regarding the evaluation process
You can choose a site from this list and set up an evaluation.
School-Age Students in Public School
The Individualized Education Program (IEP) team will evaluate your child at their school.
School-Age Students in Religious, Private, or Charter Schools, or Not Enrolled in School
The Committee on Special Education (CSE) will evaluate your child at the CSE in your school district or at your child’s school, if possible.
Initial Evaluation Components
The DOE will evaluate your child in all areas related to the suspected disability. This comprehensive evaluation includes:
- Social History: An interview to gather information about your child’s development and family history.
- Psychoeducational: A test assessing what your child knows and how they learn.
- Observation: A study of your child in their classroom.
- Physical Examination: A recent report of your child’s vision, hearing, and general health from your doctor. If you have trouble obtaining this, the IEP team, CSE, or CPSE can help you get an examination at no cost.
Additional assessments may include:
- Speech and Language
- Sign Language Fluency
- Occupational and/or Physical Therapy
- Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
- Assistive Technology (AT)
- School records and teacher assessments
- Interviews to determine work skills and interests, if your child is 12 or older
Independent Assessments
Independent assessments are conducted by someone who does not work for the DOE. You have the right to pay for an independent assessment, and if eligible, Medicaid may cover this cost. Results are only given to you, but the IEP team will consider any independent assessments you provide. If you disagree with an assessment conducted by the DOE, you can request that the DOE pay for an independent assessment. You must make this request in writing and submit it to the IEP team, CSE, or CPSE. The DOE will either agree to pay for the assessment or begin an impartial hearing. If the DOE agrees to pay:
- Choose a qualified evaluator who does not charge higher than the maximum rate
- Ask for reimbursement within a reasonable period of time
If an impartial hearing is initiated and the officer finds the DOE's assessment appropriate, you still have the right to get and share an independent assessment with the IEP team, CSE, or CPSE. However, the DOE will not cover the cost.
Bilingual Assessments
Your child should have a bilingual assessment if your home language is not English. This assessment is conducted in both English and your child’s home language.
Preschool-Age Children
Languages will be identified by an agency on the evaluation site list in the referral packet. Contact your CPSE or ECDC for help finding an agency that can conduct a bilingual assessment.
School-Age Students
Your child will receive a bilingual assessment based on:
- The language used in your home, as indicated on the Home Language Identification Survey
- Results of the New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners (NYSITELL) or the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT)
A DOE bilingual evaluator will be assigned. If one is not available, alternatives include:
- A bilingual evaluator from an agency under contract
- A monolingual evaluator with a spoken language or sign language interpreter
- A non-DOE independent bilingual evaluator
For more information, please follow this
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