NYCDOE

School choice for elementary school children has grown over the past several years, but timing is everything. Expand your options by investigating the NYC Department of Education website to see what kinds of application opportunities are available in your district.

On October 21st at 7 PM at the JCC Manhattan, Jean Mizutani Education Advocacy Team Leader Resources for Children with Special Needs will present on how the Department of Education’s (DOE) “new thinking” will influence IEP development and what that will mean in terms of special education recommendations.

For those parents who are about to embark on the exciting but time-sensitive high school application process, we strongly recommend attending the upcoming Citywide High School Fairs and Borough High School Fairs.

The Department of Education is holding parent workshops in every borough this week.  The workshops will include presentations by guest speakers, a screening of the award wining documentary, “Including Samuel,” raffles and door prizes.

Today, the New York City Department of Education posted a letter and information for parents about Phase 1 Education Reform on the DOE website. 

As the Department of Education (DOE) begins their plan to reform schools to better educate students with disabilities in community schools, we'll provide updates from a variety of sources to keep you informed.

Round 2 of pre-kindergarten admissions begins this Monday, July 19.

New York City schools are moving toward inclusion of students with disabilities in more neighborhood schools and classrooms. With the goal of including all but students with the most severe disabilities in the city’s 1,500 neighborhood schools, the Department of Education is beginning its implementation of “special education reform” this school year with 260 “Phase 1” schools.

Check out the DOE's "Making Choices" Summer Workshop Series: June 30 - August 10. Middle school students and their parents are invited to attend summer workshops to learn about the high school admissions process. Dates, locations and topics are here on the DOE website.

New York City schools enrolled 14,000 more students than had been projected and about half of them require special education services, School Chancellor Klein said this week.

Since the transition process for students with disabilities from preschool to kindergarten can be complicated, it is especially helpful to have current information.

The NYC Department of Education recently released its 2009-2010 Turning Five Orientation Guide, an orientation guide for students with disabilities transitioning from preschool to school-age programs.

The NYC Department of Education has just released its Parent's Guide to Special Education Services for School-Age Children.

The guide contains the most current and up-to-date information that parents can use as they navigate NYC’s special education system.

The New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) Chancellor Joel Klein and Laura Rodriguez, Chief Achievement Officer for Special Education and English Language Learners sponsored a breakfeast meeting at Tweed Courthouse on Tuesday 2/2/10 to introduce the DOE's special education reform plan - A Two-Year Phase-in Process Focusing on the Advancement of Student Learning and Achievement. Jean and I were there from RCSN, along with advocates and colleagues from city and state agencies and organizations.

RCSN is excited to begin two collaborative projects in 2010.  

We'll be teaming up with Mental Health Association (MHA) NYC's Family Resource Centers and the NYC Department of Education (DOE) Empowerment Schools: Bridges for Learning Network to provide critical services to families of children with mental health or other special needs, preventing disconnection, alleviating stress, and helping students succeed.