DOE Reimbursement
Families of students entering IDEAL's Zenith or Dylan Programs may be eligible to receive tuition reimbursement from the State of New York. Please read the information from the Department of Education below, and contact admissions@theidealschool.org if you would like to discuss what the process in depth or obtain a list of lawyers that currently work with our families.
Tuition Reimbursement for Placement Made by Parents in a Private School
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You have the right to a free appropriate public education for your child.
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If you are the parent of a child who previously received special education programs and/or services through the school district and you place your child in a private school, you are responsible for the cost.
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However, if you can prove at an impartial hearing or State-level court appeal that the school district did not provide your child with a free appropriate public education in a timely manner prior to that enrollment in private school and that the school you choose is appropriate to meet your child’s educational needs, the school district may be required to reimburse you for the cost of the placement.
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Your reimbursement may be denied or reduced if you do not:
a) Inform the school district at the most recent CSE or CSPE meeting you attend that you are rejecting the placement proposed by the school district and state your concerns and that you will be placing your child at a private school at public expense, or
b) Provide the school district with written notice of at least ten business days prior to placing your child in the private school. Note that there are exceptions for special circumstances. -
If the school gave you written notice prior to your removing your child from public school that it wants to evaluate your child, you must make your child available for the evaluation. If you refuse to make your child available, any request for tuition reimbursement may be reduced or denied.
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If you do not inform the school district or make your child available for the evaluation, or if there are other unreasonable actions on your part, an impartial hearing officer or court may reduce or deny the reimbursement of costs of the private school for your child.
Source: The University of the State of New York
The State Education Department
VESID
Albany, NY 12234