by Common Ground | Feb 3, 2020 | Better IEPs, Parents, Professionals, Students, Teachers
By Denver Leigh When we talk about IEPs (Individualized Education Plans), often the goals, objectives, accommodations and modifications get all the attention. True, those four components form critical parts of an IEP; however, in my experience as both a parent and...
by Common Ground | Feb 3, 2020 | Features
By Amanda Morin Children with sensory processing issues have trouble organizing information from the senses. This means they can be sensitive to and misinterpret information from the five traditional senses: sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch. Some kids may also...
by Common Ground | Nov 19, 2019 | Courts
A Florida judge has ruled that a southwest Florida school district placed a child with disabilities into a program for students with the lowest IQ’s in order to avoid reporting his state test scores. The case involves a 3rd grade student from Sarasota Florida who had...
by Common Ground | Nov 19, 2019 | Capitols
A bill introduced in the New Jersey legislature would require school buses that transport students with disabilities to be equipped with certain safety features including a GPS, two-way communication such as a cell phone, and a video camera to monitor safety of the...
by Common Ground | Nov 19, 2019 | Capitols
A California congressperson has introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that offers a path to extra money for schools with special education expenses that are three or more times the average cost per student. H.R. 4673, the IDEA High Cost Pool Funding...
by Common Ground | Nov 19, 2019 | Features
By Anfal Muhammad Jenkins Effective family engagement is a cornerstone of positive student outcomes, especially for students receiving special education services. It is not easy to sustain, but is always rewarding for parents, schools, communities, and students...
by Common Ground | Nov 19, 2019 | Q&A
Editor’s note: The New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Special Education Policy and Procedure has completed its piloting of Facilitated IEP meetings, and the option is now available statewide for school districts and parents. This Common Ground...
by Common Ground | Nov 19, 2019 | Capitols
A new analysis produced by the New Jersey School Boards Association outlines issues and strategies for districts interested in doing more to support and serve students with mental health issues. The 102-page report released in early September was conceived after the...
by Common Ground | Nov 19, 2019 | Snapshot
According to Mental Health America, approximately 15% of teens are reporting some form of self-injury. 21% of students between the ages of 13 and 18 live with a mental health disorder, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). According to NAMI, 37%...
by Common Ground | Nov 19, 2019 | Capitols
A bill introduced in the New Jersey Senate this fall would allow local school districts to excuse student absences from school based on student’s mental or behavioral health. If passed the law would further require the NJDOE to work with the Commissioner of...
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