The SWD seat ensures that students with disabilities have equitable access to a wide variety of schools. The DOE calculates the student seat type by dividing the number of class periods per week the student spends receiving special education instructional services (not related services) by the total weekly number of class periods (excluding lunch).
DOE Formula for Determining SWD Seat
Seats for Students with Disabilities (SWD)
Available for students who receive special education instructional services for more than 20% of their weekly academic program through their current IEP.
Seats for General Education (GE) Students
Available for:
All students who receive general education programming
For admissions purposes only, students who receive special education instructional services for 20% or less of their weekly academic program through their current IEP are considered general education students
The Criteria
Special Education Services and Instruction Criteria for SWD Seat
Will Count toward SWD Seat
Special education instructional services:
Support Services (SETSS)
Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT)
Special Education Class (self-contained)
Will Not Count toward SWD Seat
Special education related services:
Speech Therapy
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Counseling
Physical Therapy (PT)
The seat type will be automatically noted on a student’s application, including on their “My Schools” account.
These seat groups apply only for admissions purposes. Students with IEPs are expected to receive all of the services on their IEP in their new schools.
Parents should consult with school staff to confirm which seat their student’s application will count as.
Case Examples
Maria and Will’s school has 35 periods per week (excluding lunch). Calculate their percentage of special education instructional services by dividing the number of periods each student receives these services by 35, the total of non-lunch class periods.
Maria is in a special class setting for a combined 20 periods a week.
20 ÷ 35 = 57%
Maria’s application will count towards a SWD seat because her special education instructional services are over the 20% mark.
Will receives SETSS once a day for 5 total periods a week.
5 ÷ 35 = 14%
Will’s application will not count towards a SWD seat because his special education instructional services are below the 20% mark. He would apply for a general education seat.
Become a certified Parent Member! The Parent Member role is to support a parent of a child with a disability at an IEP meeting. In this training approved by the…
Learn tools and resources to encourage greater student involvement in the IEP development process and meetings. NYC families & professionals are welcome.
Learn about the differences between disability law and accommodations in high school vs. college, as well as the basics of financial aid and college planning.
In this training, learn about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and review the basics of dispute resolution, focusing on how to use Special Education Mediation as a process to resolve complaints regarding the education of a student with a disability. Presented by the Brooklyn Regional Partnership Center and School-Age Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Center
Behavior is a way for your child to communicate with you. What is your child trying to say? Learn strategies to manage and prevent challenging behavior at home…
Share your experiences, struggles, and successes as parents of children with disabilities. Discuss different topics, including: This webinar is for parents only.
If a student communicates in a language other than English, the NYC Department of Education (NYCDOE) may identify the student as an English Language Learner (ELL).