🤝 CSE Meeting Guide
Master the Annual Review. Understand your rights, the agenda, and who sits at the table.
📝 Request Evaluation
How to trigger the 60-day timeline for Initial Evaluations in NYS.
⚖️ Dispute Resolution
Filing a State Complaint, Mediation, or Impartial Hearing Request.
New York Special Education: Core Rights
Three things every parent needs to know before their first meeting.
The 60-Day Rule
New York is strict about timelines. From the moment you sign the Consent to Evaluate, the district has exactly 60 Calendar Days to:
- Complete all psychological and educational testing.
- Conduct social history and classroom observations.
- Hold the CSE meeting to determine eligibility.
Pro Tip: Holidays and weekends count towards these 60 days. Summer vacation does not.
CSE vs. The Rest
New York uses its own terminology. Here's how it maps to federal IDEA language:
- CPSE: Committee on Preschool Special Education (Ages 3–5).
- CSE: Committee on Special Education (Ages 5–21).
Unlike other states, the "Parent Member" is a guaranteed right in NY. You can request another parent to sit in your meeting for support.
Dispute Resolution
If the district fails to provide FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education), New York offers robust dispute channels:
- Impartial Hearing: A formal legal proceeding.
- State Complaint: Filing directly with NYSED in Albany.
- Mediation: A voluntary negotiation with a state-appointed mediator.
Find Your District Hub
Select your local district to find specific CSE contacts and policies.