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IEP and 504 meetings: a visual guide for families

If you think your child needs more support at school, you can ask. You are an equal member of your child's team. This page shows the steps in New York, the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan, and a checklist to bring to the meeting.

General information, not legal advice. Your school district and NYSED's Procedural Safeguards Notice are the official word. For help, contact your district's CSE office or a parent center.

✉️Referral✍️Consent🔍Evaluation✅Eligibility📄IEP🔁Reviewwithin 60 calendar daysyou are on the teamevery year
In 10 seconds: ask in writing, give consent, the school evaluates, the team meets with you, the IEP starts, and it is reviewed every year.

The steps in New York (school age)

In New York, the Committee on Special Education (CSE) makes the plan for school-age students. For ages 3-5 it is the CPSE.

  1. Any time

    1 · Referral

    You (or a school official) write to the CSE chairperson or principal asking for an evaluation. Date it and keep a copy.

    If someone else, like a doctor, asks for a referral, the school must ask for your consent or explain your rights within 10 school days.
  2. Before any testing

    2 · Your written consent

    No testing without your written OK. Consent to evaluate is separate from consent to start services.

  3. Within 60 calendar days of consent

    3 · Evaluation

    Physical exam, psychological evaluation when needed, social history, a class observation, and other tests as needed (like speech or OT). At age 12+, a vocational assessment.

  4. Notice at least 5 days before

    4 · CSE meeting: eligibility

    The team, with you as an equal member, decides if your child has one of 13 disability categories and needs special education.

    Not eligible? Ask about general-education help and whether a 504 plan could fit (see the comparison below).
  5. Same meeting

    5 · The IEP is written

    Goals, services, setting and testing accommodations. You get a free copy. First-time services need your written consent.

  6. No later than 60 school days after consent

    6 · Services begin

    The IEP is put into action. Progress reports come as the IEP says.

  7. At least once a year

    7 · Annual review

    The CSE reviews progress and writes the next IEP. A reevaluation happens at least every 3 years (not more than once a year unless you and the school agree).

Example with made-up numbers

Counting the days

Say a parent signs consent to evaluate on October 1.

Evaluation due: within 60 calendar days October has 31 days → Oct 1 + 30 days = Oct 31 60 − 30 = 30 more days → Nov 30 Evaluation done by about: November 30
Services start: no later than 60 SCHOOL days after consent A school week has 5 days → 60 ÷ 5 = 12 school weeks Add school breaks (made-up: 1 week off in November, 1 in December) 12 + 2 = about 14 calendar weeks → around early January

Ask the CSE office for the exact dates using your district's school calendar.

IEP or 504 plan?

📄 IEP

  • Law: IDEA (special education) and NY Part 200.
  • Who: one of 13 disability categories and needs specially designed instruction.
  • Gives: specially designed teaching, related services (like speech or OT), accommodations and yearly goals.
  • Team: the CSE, with you as a member.
  • If you disagree: mediation, a state complaint, or an impartial hearing.

🛡️ 504 plan

  • Law: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (a civil-rights law).
  • Who: a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. It does not have to limit learning.
  • Gives: accommodations and related aids and services for equal access.
  • Team: a 504 team of people who know the student.
  • If you disagree: ask about the district's 504 hearing process; an OCR complaint is generally due within 180 days.

Both can list testing accommodations, for class tests and state tests.

What an IEP page looks like

This is a made-up sample so you know what to look for. Match the numbers below.

INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM (IEP)Student A · Grade 6 · Sample School DistrictProjected annual review: June 2027PRESENT LEVELS OF PERFORMANCEReads grade 6 text at 90 words per minute (wpm), 93% accuracy.Strengths: strong listening, rich vocabulary, kind to peers.Needs: reading speed and accuracy with longer texts.Family input: enjoys graphic novels; reads at home 3 nights a week.1MEASURABLE ANNUAL GOALBy June 2027, Student A will read a grade 6 passage at120 wpm with 95% accuracy in 4 of 5 checks.Measured by: 1-minute reading checks every 2 weeks.2PROGRAMS AND SERVICESServiceHow oftenHow longWhereResource room (group of 5 or fewer)5 × week40 minResource roomConsultant teacher, direct3 × week40 minELA classSpeech-language therapy1 × week30 minTherapy roomStart: Oct 2026 · End: June 20273TESTING ACCOMMODATIONSExtended time: 1.5 × the usual time (class and state tests).Separate location: small group, 12 or fewer students.Directions read aloud.Breaks: one 5-minute break per session.4REPORTING PROGRESS TO PARENTSWritten progress report on each goal 4 times a year,at the same time as report cards.Parent contact: teacher email update every 2 weeks.5Illustration made by Goal100. Real IEPs use the district's NYSED-based form. Not legal advice.

On a phone, swipe the picture sideways to see all of it.

  1. Present levels. What your child can do now, strengths, needs, and your input. Check that it sounds like your child.
  2. Measurable goal. A clear target, a date, and how it will be measured. Ask: “How will we know it worked?”
  3. Services. What, how often, how long, and where. Example: 5 × 40 minutes = 200 minutes a week of resource room.
  4. Testing accommodations. Help like extra time or a separate room. They change how a test is taken, not what it measures.
  5. Progress reports. When you will hear how each goal is going.
Example with made-up numbers

Is the reading goal on track?

Student A reads 90 words per minute (wpm) in September. The goal is 120 wpm by June.

Growth needed: 120 − 90 = 30 wpm Months from September to June: 9 Growth per month: 30 ÷ 9 ≈ 3.3 wpm
Sep · 90
Nov · 97
Jan · 104
Goal · 120
On-track target for January (4 months): 90 + 4 × 3.3 ≈ 103 January check: 104 → on track ✓

If a check is under the line twice in a row, ask the team: “Should we change how we teach this, or add time?”

Family prep checklist

Print it or check it off here. Check marks stay only on this device.

Kind words that help at the meeting

  • “My child is great at ___. How can we use that strength?”
  • “Can you show me how this goal will be measured?”
  • “I'd like a little time to read this before I sign.”
  • “Who do I call if I have a question next month?”

Your rights, in short

Notice

Prior written notice before the school proposes or refuses a change, and a copy of the Procedural Safeguards Notice.

Consent

Your written consent for the first evaluation and the first services.

Records

See your child's records before a meeting, and never more than 45 calendar days after you ask.

Independent evaluation

If you disagree with the school's evaluation, you may ask for one at public cost.

Language

A free interpreter at meetings, and results in your native language.

Read NYSED's Procedural Safeguards Notice (PDF)

More detail on every step, the 13 categories, services, diplomas and Long Island help: our full special education family guide.

Questions people ask

Do I need a lawyer for a CSE meeting?

No. Many families go alone or with a friend. You may bring anyone who knows your child. If you disagree later, the Procedural Safeguards Notice lists your options.

Can I take the IEP home before I agree?

You can ask for time to read it. You get a free copy of the IEP. First-time services start only with your written consent.

Will an IEP stop my child from taking advanced classes?

Ask the team and the school counselor how your child can take the classes they are ready for, with the supports written in the IEP.

Does Goal100 replace IEP services?

No. Goal100 is extra practice. It has an “I'm stuck” help ladder, Listen buttons and Spanish help, but services come from the IEP team.

Official sources

Rules can change. If a link and this page ever disagree, the official page wins.