by Common Ground | Aug 12, 2019 | Capitols
Last spring, leaders in Washington, DC gave New Jersey just three months to change the state’s judicial system for resolving special education disputes. The US Department of Education has found that NJ’s current process involving the Office of Administrative Law (OAL)...
by Common Ground | Aug 12, 2019 | Courts
An administrative law judge has ordered a New Jersey school district to reimburse parents for three years of tuition and other costs related to unilateral placement at a private school. The matter involves a 9-year-old Burlington County girl with autism, dyslexia,...
by Common Ground | Aug 12, 2019 | Snapshot
New data released by the US Department of Education shows an increase in the number of students in special education for the 2017–2018 school year. There were 6 million students ages 3 to 21 receiving services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act...
by Common Ground | Aug 12, 2019 | Q&A
By Melissa Powers, Esq. The do’s and don’t’s of school observations are tricky; it is an area of law that is underdeveloped and incredibly fact sensitive. As you read the Q&A, keep in mind that schools often err on the side of being too restrictive and protective,...
by Common Ground | Aug 12, 2019 | Watch This
“Because each child is unique, the IEP must identify specific strategies to help your child succeed.” For students with disabilities, the right accommodations and modifications can be as important to school success as appropriate IEP goals. These educational supports...
by Common Ground | Aug 12, 2019 | Parents, Professionals, Teachers
By Joanne DeSimone As an advocate, I help parents and district case managers find appropriate placement options for their students. As a special educator and parent of two children with disabilities, I use the knowledge I’ve acquired from sitting on both sides of the...
by Common Ground | Aug 12, 2019 | Better IEPs
Consider this Scenario: A child with autism attends school in a mainstream classroom. Although she is progressing academically, her teacher isn’t sure how to handle situations that make her upset, such as when she doesn’t understand an assignment or during unexpected...
by Common Ground | May 6, 2019 | Features, Parents, Professionals, Teachers
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA, states that “Beginning not later than the first IEP to be in effect when the child turns 16, or younger if determined appropriate by the IEP Team, and updated annually, thereafter, the IEP must include...
by Common Ground | May 6, 2019 | Parents, Q&A
By Ira M. Fingles, Esq. Q: What is an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)? A: Independent educational evaluations are one of a parents’ most powerful rights in the special education system. Under Federal special education law, an IEE is defined as “an evaluation...
by Common Ground | May 6, 2019 | Better IEPs, Parents, Professionals, Teachers
By Katie Curran, MAPP It’s that time of year – IEP season! Whether you are a parent of a child who needs an Individualized Education Program or a special educator tasked with writing the plan, you are likely preparing for upcoming meetings. These meetings aim to set...
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