by Common Ground | Feb 13, 2025 | Courts, February 2025
Paraprofessionals are vital members of many special education teams, providing direct support to students with disabilities. These educational aides assist with a variety of tasks, including helping students complete assignments, supporting behavior management, and...
by Common Ground | Jan 17, 2025 | Features, January 2025 Special Policy Edition
The U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) plays an important role in special education. It helps to ensure that students with disabilities get an appropriate and equitable education. Through its Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and its work with other...
by Common Ground | Jan 17, 2025 | Features, January 2025 Special Policy Edition
The U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) monitors states for compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in several key areas. These areas help ensure that students with disabilities receive the services and supports they need for a quality...
by Common Ground | Jan 17, 2025 | Features, January 2025 Special Policy Edition, Uncategorized
Policy leaders headed to Washington have proposed major changes to the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) — some have suggested that it be “dismantled,” and others have suggested it be “abolished.” During his campaign, President Trump promised to “close the...
by Common Ground | Jan 17, 2025 | January 2025 Special Policy Edition, Parents
Project 2025 is a plan being considered by the Trump administration. It has the potential to change how laws and services work for people with disabilities, including special education. If this plan is put into action, some important protections, such as access to...
by Common Ground | Jan 17, 2025 | Features, January 2025 Special Policy Edition
The U.S. government provides funding to states for special education, helping schools support students with disabilities. This money comes with important rules, or “strings,” that states must follow to receive the funds. To get federal money, states must follow...
by Common Ground | Jan 17, 2025 | January 2025 Special Policy Edition, Snapshot, Uncategorized
For the 2023–2024 school year, the USDOE allocated about $15.8 billion for IDEA, which is distributed among the states. Federal funding covers 13–15% of the total cost of providing special education services nationwide. The rest is covered by state and local...
by Common Ground | Jan 17, 2025 | Courts, January 2025 Special Policy Edition, Uncategorized
On June 28, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court made a big decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, striking down the “Chevron doctrine.” This decision ends a forty-year-old practice that allowed courts to defer to federal agencies when interpreting unclear or...
by Common Ground | Oct 3, 2024 | Features, October 2024
Trauma-Informed Practices (TIP) have become especially relevant in recent years. Researchers have defined TIP as a set of practices that address the impact of trauma by creating a safe and caring environment. Trauma-informed practices focus on creating a safe school...
by Common Ground | Oct 3, 2024 | October 2024, Teachers
Students with disabilities may lack the skills to tell you what they need, but knowing that all behavior is communication reminds parents and schools to figure out what they are trying to tell us. Your students may be trying to communicate something bigger when they:...
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