Topic
|
Question
|
First steps...
|
Need more help? Contact...
|
The final authority
|
After-school Programs
|
How can I find after-school programs?
|
Check out Insideschools' information about after-school programs and free programs.
Speak to your parent coordinator about after-school programs offered by your school.
|
Search program offerings on New York City's Department of Youth and Community Development and The After School Corporation.
|
|
Alternative High School Programs
|
Where can I find information about alternative high school options, such as GED programs?
|
See the Insideschools page on alternative programs for general information about the range of programs available.
|
Call the Referral Center for High School Alternatives in the location closest to you
|
Cami Anderson,
Senior Superintendent, District 79 (917) 521-3611
|
Attendance
|
Who can I speak to about a student who is chronically late or absent to school?
|
Learn about what counts as an acceptable absence, what the school's obligations are for attendance outreach, and the Chancellor's regulations about attendance in The Basics.
|
Call the Integrated Service Center in your school's borough. Ask for the Attendance Content Expert.
|
Lilian Garelick
Director, Mandated Responsibilities
(212) 374-6095
|
Career and Technical Education
|
Who can I speak to about Career and Technical Education (vocational) programs for high school students?
|
Read about career and technical education programs on Insideschools.
Call the Office of Career and Technical Education
(212) 374-5557
|
Cynthia Fowlkes,
Director, Career and Technical Education
(212) 374-5557
|
|
Department of Education (DOE) Reorganization
|
Who's who in the DOE?
|
Read our article, The ABCs of the DOE's reorganization: Where do parents go for help?, which explains the recent changes in the Department of Education.
|
Find the contact information for a particular office on our DOE contacts page or DOE organization chart.
|
|
Early Childhood Education
|
Where do I find out about early childhood education programs such as pre-kindergarten?
|
Read about the application process on Insideschools.
Visit the nearest public elementary school for a directory of pre-k programs.
|
Call the central Office of Early Childhood Education
(212) 374-0351
|
Evelyn Castro,
Executive Director, Office of Early Childhood Education
(212) 374-6099
|
English Language Learners
|
If a student is not receiving the ELL services that he or she requires, who should be contacted?
|
Learn about rights and service options for ELL students on Insideschools.
|
Call the ELL Compliance and Performance Specialist in your district.
|
Maria Santos,
Executive Director, Office of English Language Learners
(212) 374-6072
|
Enrollment
|
Who do I speak to if I am not happy with my high school match?
|
Learn about the appeal process by reading the information on our site.
|
Talk to the guidance counselor at your child's school and fill out an appeal form.
|
Elizabeth Sciabarra
Executive Director, Office of Student Enrollment Planning and Operations
(212) 374-2363
|
Formal Complaints
|
How can I make a formal complaint to the State Education Department?
|
Read our page on the state complaint process.This will give you a step-by-step guide to the process.
|
|
|
Gifted and Talented
|
How do I find out about gifted and talented programs?
|
Learn about the different programs and admissions process in Insideschools' gifted and talented section.
Call the District Family Advocate to ask for the NYC Gifted and Talented Program Test Information Handbook.
|
Call your enrollment office.
|
Anna Commitante
Citywide Director, Gifted and Talented Programs
(212) 374-5165
|
Promotion
|
What can I do if a grade promotion is doubtful?
|
Read our information about promotion and extra help services.
|
Call your school guidance counselor or principal.
|
Your district superintendent
|
Promotion
|
What can I do if a student is failing high school?
|
Read about high school graduation requirements on Insideschools.
|
Research alternative programs and transfer high schools.
|
Contact your guidance counselor or call the referral center in your borough for high school alternative programs.
|
Special Education
|
Who do I contact to get a student evaluated for special education services?
|
Ask your IEP Team. Every school has one. Also read important information about the process and your rights.
|
Contact the Committee on Special Education in your District
|
Linda Wernikoff,
Executive Director, Office of Special Education Initiatives
(212) 374-6085
|
Special Education
|
What can I do if there is a disagreement over a student's special education evaluation?
|
Pay for an independent evaluation or, if you don't have the money, call the Advocates for Children hotline: (866) 427-6033
|
|
|
Suspensions
|
What can I do if a student is suspended?
|
Read our information on suspensions and disciplinary actions.
Ask your school's guidance counselor for a "suspension packet," which has important documents.
|
Contact the Director of Suspensions in your borough.
|
Elayna Konstan
Chief Executive Officer, School and Youth Development
(212) 374-0842
|
Students in Temporary Housing
|
If I am homeless, living in a shelter, or living temporarily with friends or family members, where can I find information about my rights and school options?
|
Students in temporary housing have the right to continue attending their same school or transfer to the local school where they are residing under the McKinney Vento Act, a federal law, and Chancellor's Regulation A-780. |
Susana Vilardell
Senior Program Manager, Students in Temporary Housing
(212) 374-2530
Jennifer Hogan Director of Policy and Planning
(212) 374-7656
|
Patricia McGuirk
Program Manager for Homeless Education, New York State Education Department
(518) 473-1236
|
Teachers
|
Who do I speak to if I have concerns about a particular teacher in my school?
|
Read our step-by-step guide on problems at school.
Put your concerns in writing in a letter to your principal and request a meeting.
|
Try the district superintendent or the network leader from your School Support Organization (SSO).
|
|
Transfers
|
How can I transfer to another school?
|
Read about different types of transfers and their requirements.
If you meet the requirements...
|
Call your enrollment office.
|
Elizabeth Sciabarra
Executive Director, Office of Student Enrollment Planning and Operations
(212) 374-2363
|
Transportation
|
How do I know if a student is eligible for yellow bus service?
|
Learn about age/travel requirements to obtain either yellow bus service, or free/reduced Metrocards on our transportation policy page.
Ask the school secretary.
|
Call the District Family Advocate assigned to your school.
|
Call the Office of Pupil Transportation.
(718) 392-8855
|
Tutoring
|
Where does a student go for extra academic help?
|
Read our page on tutoring and find out if a child is eligible for extra help services. |
Also, look at our Free Programs page.
|
|
More
See all events
