by Common Ground | Nov 28, 2023 | Courts, November 2023
The mother of a Texas teen with intellectual and emotional disabilities has lost a federal lawsuit she filed following the tasing of her son. The suit charged that the school district and school resource officer (SRO) violated the teen’s civil rights under the...
by Common Ground | Nov 28, 2023 | Capitols, November 2023
In early fall, the NJDOE released an updated version of The Autism Program Quality Indicators-Revised (APQI-R). The 116-page guidance document is meant to serve as a resource for educators in developing, implementing, and evaluating quality programming for all...
by Common Ground | Aug 24, 2023 | August 2023, Features, Parents
Parent advocacy happens in many ways, from chatting with a teacher about a child’s needs and progress, to getting involved in systems change. In many states, Special Education Advisory Groups (SEPAGs) are working to ensure that the unique needs of students with...
by Common Ground | Aug 24, 2023 | August 2023, Parents, Q&A, Special Ed Basics
By Jason Krasnow Q: What role do parents have in the referral process? A: A parent’s role in special education starts with the referral process. School personnel, state agencies, or parents themselves can refer a child for evaluation if they suspect that the...
by Common Ground | Aug 24, 2023 | August 2023, Special Ed Basics
By James F. Gallagher, Esq., and S. Paul Prior, Esq. Disagreements and disputes in special education are inevitable. In fact, mechanisms to resolve disagreements and disputes are part of state and federal special education law. Most of the time these disputes and...
by Common Ground | Aug 24, 2023 | August 2023, Parents
The Board of Education in each of New Jersey’s 613 local school districts sets policy and governance and helps with long-term planning and goal setting. Running for a seat on the school board is a smart way to bring your leadership and perspective to a larger...
by Common Ground | Aug 24, 2023 | August 2023, Capitols
Proposed changes to federal rules around Medicaid billing could make it easier for schools to pay for certain special education services. Currently, schools can bill Medicaid for health-related services in a student’s IEP, such as speech, occupational and...
by Common Ground | Aug 24, 2023 | Capitols
According to Pew Research Center, the number of students in special education in the United States has doubled over the past four decades, creating a rising share of public-school kids who need special education services. The data is part of the National Center for...
by Common Ground | Aug 24, 2023 | August 2023, Capitols
The USDOE’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has published policy guidance reaffirming states’ obligations to ensure implementation of The Individuals with Disabilties Education Act (IDEA). The guidance and accompanying “Dear...
by Common Ground | Aug 24, 2023 | August 2023, Capitols
This spring, the USDOE’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) addressed preschool suspension, expulsion, and informal removals. OSEP Director Valerie C. Williams wrote in her blog about the “stressful and isolating experiences” created by...
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