You have the right to submit a complaint to the New York State Education Department if you believe that your school district has violated procedures under federal and State laws and regulations. You must make your complaint in writing and send it to the Regional Office in your geographical region listed above. If appropriate, your complaint will be investigated. You will receive a letter of the findings and resolution within 60 calendar days of when your complaint was received. Special education mediation is an effective method to resolve disagreements in a timely manner.
Mediation is voluntary on the part of both the parent and school district.
Mediation is at no cost to parents or the school district. Mediation involves parents and a representative of the school district working collaboratively with a mediator, who is an independent person from the Community Dispute Resolution Center . By asking questions and discussing all of the information with both parties, the mediator helps you and the school district resolve disagreements, reach a more complete understanding of each other's concerns and agree upon the special education program for your child in a cooperative and timely manner. The agreement reached between you and the school district is described in a written agreement. You and the school district must follow the agreement reached.