New York State Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students

Students who transfer schools often do worse in school than those who don't transfer. The McKinney-Vento Act can help solve this problem by allowing students to stay in the same school and get free transportation.

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Special Education

Special education offers instruction that is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability, at no cost to parents. The McKinney-Vento Act, together with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) works to ensure that the needs of homeless students with special needs are met. Find helpful resources regarding the rights of special needs students experiencing homelessness. Find answers to commonly asked questions about special education. Click the links below to learn more about special education.

NEW! School Help for Homeless Children with Disabilities: Information for Parents [PDF]

This was created by the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) to provide information about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and how it can help students who are homeless with special needs.

Vocational Education Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) and the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) [PDF]

Get more information about VESID and OMRDD as well as contact information for the agencies' New York City offices.

IDEA Parent Guide: Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 [PDF]

For those who are new to the special education process, this guide provides a broad overview of the rights of students with special needs.

Special Education Process/Timeline in New York State [Word doc]

This chart tracks the New York State law describing the start and end dates of each phase of the special education process.

Special Education Glossary [Word doc]

The special education vocabulary contains many unfamiliar terms and abbreviations. Feel free to review this guide each time you encounter a new term.

How to Make an Initial Referral for Special Education Services [Word doc]

Review this guide to learn more about when and how a student becomes eligible for special education services.

Sample Referral for Special Education Evaluations [Word doc]

Review this sample document containing the basic requirements for having your child evaluated for special education eligibility.

New York State Education Department Sample Complaint Form [PDF]

This model form, which includes the elements required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), may be used to submit a complaint to the New York State Education Department (SED). Parents, individuals, or organizations may use this form if they believe a school district or public agency has violated a requirement of Part B of IDEA or New York State laws or regulations related to students with special needs.