How to request a special education evaluation in New Jersey and NYC (with timelines)
By the Tutor Tables team · Updated · 3 min read
Quick answer
Any parent can request a free special education evaluation in writing (34 CFR 300.301). New Jersey: the district must hold a meeting within 20 calendar days of the written request, excluding school holidays but not summer. If the district agrees to evaluate, it has 90 calendar days from your consent to finish the evaluation, decide eligibility, and put an IEP in place (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.3, 3.4). NYC: send a written referral to the school, or to the Committee on Special Education if your child is not in a public school. The evaluation must be done within 60 calendar days of your consent.
Your right to ask
Under federal law, "either a parent of a child or a public agency may initiate a request for an initial evaluation" (34 CFR 300.301). You don't need a diagnosis, and you don't need the school to suggest it first. Put the request in writing and keep a copy.
New Jersey: step by step
- Write to the school principal and the district's Child Study Team. Say that you suspect a disability and are requesting an evaluation for special education and related services. Email is fine; keep a copy.
- Identification meeting within 20 calendar days. The Child Study Team, the parent, and a teacher meet to decide whether an evaluation is warranted and what it will include. School holidays don't count toward the 20 days, but summer vacation does (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.3(e)).
- Give written consent if the district proposes an evaluation.
- 90 calendar days to finish. The evaluation, the eligibility decision, and (if your child is eligible) the IEP must be completed within 90 calendar days of consent (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.4(e)).
New York City: step by step
- Send a written referral.
- If your child attends a public school, send it to the school.
- If your child is in a private, religious, or charter school, or isn't enrolled, send it to your district's Committee on Special Education (CSE).
- Give consent to the evaluation.
- 60 calendar days to evaluate. NYC states that after you give consent, it has 60 calendar days to evaluate your child. The state's procedures are in 8 NYCRR 200.4.
A simple request letter
Dear [Principal / CSE Chairperson],
I am the parent of [child's name], in grade [ ] at [school]. I am concerned about [his/her/their] progress in [reading / math / attention / writing]. I am requesting a full evaluation for special education and related services.
Please contact me at [phone / email] to arrange next steps and send me the consent form.
Sincerely, [Name], [Date]
What to bring
- Report cards and state test or screening results
- Samples of your child's work
- Dated notes on what you've seen at home
- Any private evaluations
- Progress notes from a tutor, if you have them
If you disagree with the results
You can request an independent educational evaluation (IEE) at public expense (34 CFR 300.502). The district must either pay for it or ask for a hearing to show its evaluation was appropriate.
If you get a private evaluation that meets the district's criteria, the school must consider it.
How Tutor Tables helps
We don't evaluate or give legal advice. For that, contact your district, a parent center (SPAN in New Jersey; INCLUDEnyc or Advocates for Children in NYC), or an advocate.
What we do is teach, and document progress clearly while you wait for or work through the process. Our Learning-Differences Support program gives families a termly progress report written for school teams. Start with a free consult with Dr. Gail.
Frequently asked questions
Does the evaluation cost anything?
No. An initial evaluation by the public school district is free to parents.
Do I need a doctor's diagnosis first?
No. A parent can request an evaluation based on concerns alone. Bring any information you have, such as report cards, screening results, or notes from teachers or tutors.
My child attends private school in NYC. Who evaluates?
For students in private, religious, or charter schools, or not enrolled in school, the district's Committee on Special Education (CSE) handles evaluations.
What if I disagree with the school's evaluation?
You can request an independent educational evaluation (IEE) at public expense under 34 CFR 300.502. The district must either pay for it or file for a hearing to show its evaluation was appropriate.
Sources
- 34 CFR 300.301: Initial evaluations
- N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.3: Location, referral and identification (New Jersey)
- N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.4: Evaluation (New Jersey)
- NYC Public Schools: Special education evaluation
- NYSED: 8 NYCRR 200.4 referral, evaluation, and IEP procedures
- 34 CFR 300.502: Independent educational evaluation
This guide is general information for families, not legal, medical, or psychological advice. Rules and dates change; check the linked official sources.