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NYC Public Schools — Committees on Special Education (CSE/CPSE)
NYC Public Schools’ CSE/CPSE directory helps families find the office responsible for preschool special education for children ages 3–5 and for certain school-age students ages 5–21, including those in private, religious, charter, and specified nonpublic schools, homeschooled students, and students not attending school. The page lists district assignments, phone numbers, email addresses, and office locations, and explains how to submit an evaluation referral. Preschool offices are assigned by home address; school-age assignments generally depend on school location, with exceptions explained on the page.
NYC Public Schools Special Education Office
Email: SpecialEducation@schools.nyc.gov
For general questions or help identifying the appropriate special education contact.
Local CSE/CPSE Office
Find your assigned office and its phone number, email, and address. The directory includes instructions for finding your school district.
For evaluation referrals and questions about your child’s case, contact your assigned office directly. Referrals may also be hand-delivered Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Let the office know if you need language assistance or deaf/hard-of-hearing communication support.
Request a Preschool Special Education Evaluation — CPSE Referral Instructions
NYC Public Schools provides step-by-step instructions for requesting a preschool special education evaluation. Families submit a written referral to the CPSE office serving their home address, describing their concerns and including the child’s details, service history, family contact information, and preferred language. The CPSE then sends a referral packet, including evaluation-site options and a consent form. Parental consent is required before the initial evaluation begins.
OPWDD Office for People With Developmental Disabilities
OPWDD’s Front Door provides information about accessing New York State supports for people with developmental disabilities. Families can learn about eligibility, required documentation, service planning, and available programs. For children with developmental disabilities who may qualify for Children’s Waiver Home and Community-Based Services, OPWDD eligibility is also part of the C-YES eligibility pathway. Eligibility and service access depend on individual circumstances.
(866) 946‑9733
NYSED — Approved Preschool Special Education Programs and Evaluation Providers
NYSED’s statewide directory lists approved preschool special education programs and evaluation providers, including contact information, regions served, and approved services. Families seeking an evaluation can look for providers approved for multidisciplinary evaluations (MDE) and contact them to confirm availability and language access. Families should work with their local Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) to confirm evaluation arrangements; NYC families should also consult the evaluation-site list provided in their CPSE referral packet.
Provider phone numbers are included in the downloadable directory.
For directory information: OSEapplications@nysed.gov
For your child’s evaluation, contact your local CPSE and the selected evaluation agency to confirm next steps, availability, and language access. NYC families can find their local CPSE office here.
NYSED — CSE/CPSE Process and IEP Development
NYSED’s statewide guidance explains how Committees on Special Education (CSE) and Preschool Special Education (CPSE) should develop and carry out Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). It describes how evaluations, student strengths and needs, and family input should guide goals, services, classroom supports, and placement decisions. Families can use its detailed review questions to prepare for IEP discussions and better understand how schools should implement services, monitor progress, and communicate with parents. Written primarily for school teams, it is also useful to caregivers seeking a closer look at what an effective IEP process should include.
For questions about your child’s evaluation, IEP, or services, contact your school district’s CSE/CPSE. NYC families can find their assigned CSE/CPSE office here.
This statewide guidance page does not list a dedicated publication contact.
Family Guide to Preschool Special Education Services — NYC
This NYC family guide explains preschool special education for children ages 3–5, including referrals, evaluations, IEP meetings, services, and parent rights. It also describes preschool placement options and the transition from Early Intervention.
NYC Public Schools — Special Education Evaluations and Referrals
NYC Public Schools provides information about special education evaluations and referrals. For preschool children ages 3–5, families work with their local Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) and an approved evaluation site. For students attending NYC public schools, evaluations are handled by the school’s IEP team. Regional Committees on Special Education (CSE) handle evaluations for school-age students in religious, private, or charter schools, or who are not enrolled in school. After parental consent, the evaluation must be completed within 60 calendar days. Evaluations may include psychological, social-history, physical/health, observational, and other assessments as needed. Bilingual evaluations are available when indicated.
NYC Public Schools Special Education Office
Email: SpecialEducation@schools.nyc.gov
For general questions or help identifying the appropriate special education contact.
For your child’s evaluation: contact the school’s IEP team if your child attends an NYC public school. Preschool families and families of school-age students served by a regional CSE can find their local CSE/CPSE office here.
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