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Assistance for Parents

Information on Dispute Resolution

  • All school districts must offer special education mediation as a means to resolve disputes relating to the identification, evaluation, educational placement or the provision of a free appropriate public education to a child with a disability. Request for Special Education Mediation
  • If a parent, individual or organization believes that a school district or public agency has violated a requirement of Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or State law/regulation related to the education of students with disabilities, they may submit a written, signed State complaint to the New York State Education Department. Sample State Complaint Form
  • You may request an impartial hearing to resolve a disagreement about the referral, evaluation or placement of a student or regarding the provision of a free appropriate public education for a student under the IDEA. Sample Due Process Complaint Notice Form To Request An Impartial Hearing

Special Education Quality Assurance Regional Offices

Special Education Quality Assurance oversees preschool and school-age special education services through a quality assurance review process that emphasizes attainment of positive results for student with disabilities. Regional Associates, located in several quality assurance offices across New York State, coordinate the review process and also provide technical assistance to parents, school district personnel, and private providers.

Our regional offices are here to help you. If you have general questions about special education or have a specific question about special education services, please contact the Quality Assurance office located in your region. When contacting the regional office, please identify your county, school district or special education program so that you may be directed to the appropriate Regional Associate.

United States Department of Education (USDOE)

The U.S. Department of Education  provides information on the national educational priorities and new initiatives.

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)  provides information about the function of OSERS, IDEA amendments, and projects developed by the U.S. Department of Education.

For assistance related to civil rights (including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act) , you may contact the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) headquarters office in Washington D.C.  or the OCR enforcement office serving your state or territory.

IDEA Practices  is a site which was developed as part of the IDEA Partnerships projects funded by the United States Department of Education in an effort to address parents, service providers, administrators and policy makers regarding the recent amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

DisabilityInfo.org  provides quick and easy access to comprehensive information about disability programs, services, laws and benefits. You can begin your search by visiting any of the nine subject areas at the top of this page. To find disability resources in your state just click on the Find State and Local Resources map located in each of these subject areas.

Associations/Organizations - National

Making the Move to Managing Your Own Personal Assistance Services (PAS)  assists students with disabilities transition to adulthood. Provided by the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability, it includes sample worksheets and questions about things to consider along the path to greater independence.

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO)  is a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions. CCSSO provides leadership, advocacy, and technical assistance on major educational issues.

The National Center for Education Statistics  is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data that are related to education in the United States and other nations. Find information on the Nation's Report Card which assesses the academic performance of fourth, eighth, and twelfth graders in a range of subjects. Text in Spanish is available at this Website.

Private Associations/Organizations - Statewide

The Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS)  is a statewide organization providing assistance to families of children who have a brain injury.

Parent Associations/Organizations - State-level

NYSARC, Inc. is the largest not-for-profit agency in the nation supporting people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, governed and led by family members. Through 55 Chapters, NYSARC offers services and supports encompassing all aspects of a person’s life, from birth through end-of-life care, including: early intervention, health care, education, preparation for employment, help in finding and keeping a job, independent living, skill training, and recreation activities.

The New York State PTA  has more than 385,000 members statewide in over 1500 local units and councils in 16 districts. Members include parents, teachers, and other child advocates. This Website includes information on the New York State and National PTA convention, local and national PTA news, and legislative news.

Student Resources

The Accredited Schools Online Scholarships & Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities webpage includes information on special financial aid and scholarship opportunities for students with disabilities. 

Other State Agencies

Disclaimer of Endorsement

The documents posted on this server contain hypertext links or pointers to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. These links and pointers are provided for the user's convenience. The New York State Education Department does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. Further, the inclusion of links or pointers to particular items in hypertext is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed, or products or services offered, on these outside sites, or the organizations sponsoring the sites.