• Laws and Regulations Related to Special Education and Students with Disabilities
• New York State Laws and Regulations that Differ from Federal Requirements (August 2019)
• Topical Listing of Special Education Publications

Key state guidance documents

Accessible instructional materials

• Accessible Instructional Materials and Unified English Braille (UEB)

Alternate assessment

• Office of State Assessment, New York State Alternate Assessment Home Page
• Eligibility criteria for participating in the New York State Alternate Assessment (May 2019)

Assistive technology

• Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities (April 2017)
• Webcast on assistive technology for students with disabilities (May 2016)

Behavior interventions

• Functional Behavioral Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans 
• Manifestation Determination Resources 
• Updates to Behavior Supports and Interventions in Schools: Frequently Asked Questions

Child Find

• Obligation to Evaluate Students with High Cognition (June 2015)

Class size

• Variance Procedures to Temporarily Exceed the Maximum Number of Students with Disabilities in an Integrated Co-Teaching Class (January 2011)
• Procedures to Temporarily Exceed an Approved Class Size for Preschool Students with Disabilities (December 2017)

Commencement credentials, diplomas and safety net for students with disabilities

• General education and diploma requirements
• Graduation Requirements for Students with Disabilities
• New York State Career Development and Occupational Studies Commencement Credential (June 2013)
• Skills and Achievement Credential for Students with Severe Disabilities (April 2012)

Committees on Special Education

• Guidance on Students With Disabilities With High Cognition (June 2015)

Continuum of Services

• New York State's Continuum of Services for School Age Students with Disabilities: Questions & Answers (November 2013)

Discipline Procedures for Students with Disabilities

• Part 201 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education 
• School Climate and Discipline Resources

Dispute Resolution Options

• Mediation
• State Complaints
• Due Process Hearing 

Dyslexia

• New York State Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Task Force: Report and Recommendations (December 2024) 
• Guidance on Chapter 216 of the Laws of 2017: Students with Disabilities Relating from Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia
• Meeting the Needs of Students with Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia
• Identification of Students with Learning Disabilities within a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)
• Students with Disabilities Resulting from Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia: Questions and Answers

Early Intervention to Preschool Special Education

• Preschool Transition Guide 

Elopement behaviors

• Health and Safety Precautions for Students with Disabilities (April 2014)

English Language Learners/Multilingual Learners

• Use of Standardized Scores in Individual Evaluations of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse English Language Learners Ages 3–21
• Determining English Language Learner/Multilingual Learner (ELL/MLL) status and Services for Students with Disabilities

Evaluation of students with high cognition

• Federal Guidance on Students with Disabilities with High Cognition

Extended School Year

• Extended School Year Programs and Services:  Questions and Answers

Graduation and Exit Credentials

• Information Related to Graduation Requirements and Exiting Credentials for Students with Disabilities
• Student Exit Summary 

Home-Schooled Students

• Requirements for the Provision of Special Education Services to Home-Instructed (“Home Schooled”) Students 

Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

• Guide to Quality Individualized Education Program Development and Implementation (Revised Sept. 2023)
• Questions and Answers on Individualized Education Program (IEP), the State’s IEP and Related Requirements 
• Teacher Access to Students’ Individualized Education Programs (January 2013)

Innovative Program Waivers

• Information, Instructions and Innovative Waiver Applications

Least Restrictive Environment

• School Districts’ Responsibilities to Provide Students with Disabilities Specially Designed Instruction and Related Services in the Least Restrictive Environment

Medicaid

• Parental Consent for the Use of Public Benefits or Insurance Pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Nonpublic Schools

• Guidance on Parentally Placed Elementary and Secondary Students with Disabilities Pursuant to IDEA and NYS Education Law 3602-c

Nursing services

• Guidelines for Determining a Student with a Disability's Need for a 1:1 Nurse (January 2019)

Paraprofessionals

• Guidelines for Determining a Student with a Disability’s Need for a 1:1 Aide

Procedural safeguards

• Procedural Safeguards Notice: Rights for Preschool and School-Age Students with Disabilities

Preschool Evaluation

• Preschool Evaluations 

Preschool programs and services

• Guidance Documents Related to Preschool
• Procedures to Temporarily Exceed an Approved Class Size for Preschool Students with Disabilities (Revised January 2023)
• Special Education Itinerant Services for Preschool Students with Disabilities 
• School district responsibilities for preschool inclusion in publicly-funded prekindergarten programs (July 2021)

Response to Intervention/Multi-Tiered System of Supports

• Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports – Integrated (MTSS-I)      
• A Parent’s Guide to Response to Intervention (June 2014)
• Required Components of a Response to Intervention Program

State complaints

• NYSED Rate Dispute State Complaint Information for Parents Residing in New York City 
• New York State Complaint Procedures - Questions & Answers

Test accommodations

• Testing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Policy and Tools to Guide Decision-Making and Implementation (Dec. 2024)

Transition

• Transition from School to Post School for Students with Disabilities

Transportation

• Special Transportation for Students with Disabilities

Variance Procedures 

• Preschool variances
• School-Age Variances