The Special Education Process
This flyer is an easy to understand guide of the most important parts of IDEA, the IEP process and your parental rights throughout the process. You will find links to the NYS Commissioners Rules Regulations, IDEA. This is a safe space to ask questions and we can direct you to the most accurate and appropriate source to meet your needs as a parent.
Yellow Gray and Black Hand Drawn Process Infograhic-2.pdfAdvocating for Your Child
Niskayuna School District - SPED
Steps to Take if Your Student is Struggling
Reach out to your child’s teacher to determine if they also have academic, social or behavioral concerns.
If they do, schedule a time to meet with or speak with the psychologist or counselor to determine building level supports available for your child.
Wait 6-8 weeks after building supports are put in place to determine if progress is being made.
If no progress is made you can circle back to the teacher and psychologist or request an Special Education Evaluation through the SPED office.
Once the Special Education Evaluation is done, a CSE meeting will be set up to go over and help you to understand the results of the evaluation. A Committee on Special Education (CSE) meeting is set up to discuss the results. The child's parents, teachers, and service providers are invited to the meeting.
If you disagree with the results of your child’s Special Education Evaluation conducted by the school, you can request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) which is a private evaluation to assess a student's learning differences or disabilities at public expense per NISKY BOE policy. IEEs can be used to determine a student's best options for school accommodations, services, and appropriate educational placement.
Steps to Take if Your Already Identified Student is Struggling
Reach out to your child’s teacher and case manager to determine if they also have academic, social or behavioral concerns or concerns about progress.
Set up a team meeting with all therapists and teachers involved to determine the need for changes in approaches or instruction. School psychologists and/or counselors can be included in this meeting.
Request a CSE meeting to review progress and make changes to the IEP if applicable.
Parent Member vs Parent Advocate
A parent member is an identified parent from the district who has volunteered to sit in on CSE meetings with families to help explain what is being discussed and/or offered.
A parent advocate is someone from an outside organization that the family works with who comes and advocates for the parent and/or student.
Ways to Help Your Child At Home
Read to your child or have them read to you each night.
Create a consistent routine for homework and make it a positive experience. Consult your child’s case manager if homework is a struggle.
Play board games with your child to develop problem solving skills, strategy and frustration tolerance.
Help your child express and name emotions as well as coping strategies.
Spend time having fun and being active with your child!