NYC Department of Education Accused of Failing Special Needs Students
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Advocacy groups are accusing the New York City Department of Education (DOE) of failing students with special needs. Parents report significant issues with transportation, therapy services, and tuition reimbursement, with many cases ending up in court without resolution.
Court Orders Largely Ignored
According to Advocates for Children, the DOE complies with court orders to fix problems less than 10% of the time. This leaves many families struggling to access essential services for their children. Jesse Cole Cutler, a lawyer representing thousands of families, highlights the DOE's failure to fulfill its legal obligations to provide these mandated services.
Years-Long Delays in Reimbursement
The DOE's responsibility extends to tuition reimbursement when public schools can't meet a student's special education needs. However, parents report waiting years for reimbursement, forcing them into financial hardship. Rebecca Shore, director of litigation for Advocates for Children, describes parents taking out mortgages and extending credit to cover these costs. One parent waited two years, another three, to receive reimbursement.
DOE's Response and Next Steps
While the DOE claims to have made “major steps” toward compliance following a 2023 court order, a July 2025 court monitor reported only 59% of the mandated changes had been implemented. The DOE is scheduled to appear in court next week to address their ongoing non-compliance.
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