by Common Ground | Feb 22, 2024 | Features, February 2024, Parents, Professionals
IDEA, the nation’s special education law, is designed with one goal in mind: to ensure that children with disabilities receive an appropriate education to address their needs. The law covers children from birth through age 21. One part of IDEA—Section 619—funds...
by Common Ground | Feb 22, 2024 | Better IEPs, February 2024, Parents, Professionals
The State of New Jersey has very clear expectations for preschoolers with disabilities. In fact, Indicator 7 in our state’s performance plan measures the percent of preschool children aged 3 through 5 with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) who demonstrate...
by Common Ground | Feb 22, 2024 | Capitols, February 2024
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education say 55% of preschoolers with disabilities receive special education services in classrooms separate from their peers. In a joint policy statement, they called for more young children with...
by Common Ground | Feb 22, 2024 | Capitols, February 2024
In January, Governor Murphy signed legislation, P.L. 2023, c. 212 (A1174/S2057) concerning emergency planning for students with disabilities in school settings. The bill clarifies the ways in which students with disabilities—specifically, those with an IEP, 504 Plan,...
by Common Ground | Feb 22, 2024 | Capitols, February 2024
With new guidance, the U.S. Department of Education is pushing schools to ensure that all students with disabilities have the assistive technology they need and the supports to use it effectively. The agency issued a “Dear Colleague” letter and a 24-page...
by Common Ground | Feb 22, 2024 | Capitols, February 2024
Kevin Dehmer was sworn in in mid-February to serve as the next Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE), succeeding Acting Commissioner Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan. Dehmer spent more than 15 years at the New Jersey Department of Education, during...
by Common Ground | Nov 29, 2023 | November 2023, Parents, Professionals, Teachers
What Parents and Educators Need to Know About Reading Assessment Assessing students for reading disabilities is a crucial step in ensuring they receive appropriate support and intervention. Early and accurate assessment can provide valuable insights into a student’s...
by Common Ground | Nov 29, 2023 | November 2023, Parents, Professionals, Q&A, Teachers
Q: What is Decoding? A: Reading decoding is a fundamental skill in the process of reading. It refers to the ability to translate written words into spoken language. When readers decode, they use their knowledge of letter-sound relationships to recognize and pronounce...
by Common Ground | Nov 29, 2023 | Better IEPs, November 2023, Parents, Professionals, Teachers
Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) drive services and supports for students with reading disabilities. Students must learn to decode words, recognize vocabulary, and understand what they have read. Before setting IEP goals, it is vital to assess the student in...
by Common Ground | Nov 28, 2023 | November 2023, Snapshot
According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), one in five students (11.2M) in the US have learning and attention issues. According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, students with learning disabilities are three times more likely to...
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