by Common Ground | Jun 16, 2025 | June-July 2025, Q&A, Special Ed Basics
Q: What is a special education assessment, and why is it important in determining related services? A: A special education assessment is a process that evaluates a child’s strengths and weaknesses in different areas, such as academic, social, emotional, and...
by Common Ground | Jun 16, 2025 | Courts, June-July 2025
Court decisions have played an important role in shaping how related services are provided in special education. Over the years, several important court decisions have helped clarify how related services should be provided and what students are entitled to. One of the...
by Common Ground | May 25, 2025 | Courts, May 2025
A high-stakes lawsuit, Texas v. Becerra, now making its way through the courts, could dismantle Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by entities that receive federal funding. The law requires...
by Common Ground | May 25, 2025 | Features, May 2025
Federal law grants parents a key role in helping to ensure their child with disabilities gets an appropriate education. Parents can have a steep learning curve as they learn how to navigate the special education system. Without training and support, most parents do...
by Common Ground | May 25, 2025 | Courts, May 2025
In April, U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools. The case centers on what standard students must meet in order to bring claims of disability discrimination at school. At issue is whether students with disabilities must show that schools...
by Common Ground | May 17, 2025 | May 2025, Q&A
Disagreements in special education can feel stressful, but they don’t have to become battles. Most people on the IEP team want the same thing: for the student to succeed. By learning how decisions are made, understanding common issues, and knowing your rights,...
by Common Ground | May 17, 2025 | May 2025, Parents
by Joanne De Simon The first time I sat on the parents’ side of the table to create an individualized education program, my son was four months old. He had just been diagnosed with a rare, life-limiting brain malformation. I’d been to many IEP meetings as...
by Common Ground | Feb 13, 2025 | Features, February 2025
In special education classrooms, paraprofessionals can play a crucial role in helping students with disabilities access their education. Paraprofessionals work in a variety of capacities, from one-on-one aides to classroom assistants, providing individualized support...
by Common Ground | Feb 13, 2025 | February 2025, Professionals
While paraprofessionals in the special education classroom can offer much-needed support, there are potential drawbacks to over-relying on them. The role of the paraprofessional is meant to complement, not replace, the work of the teacher, and it is important to...
by Common Ground | Feb 13, 2025 | February 2025, Q&A
Assistive technology (AT) plays a transformative role in the education of students with disabilities, offering tools and devices that can support independence, enhance learning, and help students achieve academic success. In this Q&A, we explore the many ways that...
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