by Common Ground | Feb 22, 2024 | Capitols
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 28, 2023 | Capitols
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 | 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 | 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 | 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...
by Common Ground | Jun 7, 2023 | Capitols
Congressional Democrats recently reintroduced legislation, the Keeping All Students Safe Act, that would block schools from secluding students in locked rooms or using certain types of physical restraints. Supporters cite investigations revealing that schools restrain...
by Common Ground | Apr 20, 2023 | Capitols, Parents, Professionals, Teachers
The Governor’s 2023-24 proposed Budget includes $420 million of extraordinary special education aid to reimburse districts for special education “extraordinary” costs. This represents a 5% increase from the $400 million in fiscal year 2021. Over the most recent...
by Common Ground | Apr 20, 2023 | Capitols, Professionals, Teachers
The U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration has announced $224 million in grants for innovative demonstration projects “focused on the creation of systemic approaches to improve access to pre-employment transition services for children...
by Common Ground | Feb 8, 2023 | Capitols
In June of 2021, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and state lawmakers approved a three-year extension of special-education eligibility for students whose lives had been disrupted by the pandemic (sometimes referred to as “S3434”). The state earmarked $600...
by Common Ground | Feb 8, 2023 | Capitols
New guidance from the US Department of Education warns that children suspected of having disabilities are waiting too long for evaluations, and special education services are not being fully implemented in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education...
by Common Ground | Feb 8, 2023 | Capitols, Parents, Q&A, Students
The Biden administration has issued new school discipline guidelines aimed at cutting back on high rates of suspension and expulsion for students with disabilities by clarifying rules that the nation’s schools are required to follow. The guidance is considered to be...
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