by Common Ground | Aug 5, 2020 | Capitols
In a report issued in June, the US Department of Education found that less than half of states are doing what they should to serve students with disabilities in compliance with federal special education law. Just 21 states, including New Jersey, satisfied the “meets...
by Common Ground | May 5, 2020 | Capitols
On April 30, 2020, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) issued a memo to New Jersey Directors of Special Education responding to instances in which school districts sought to require parents or guardians to waive certain legal rights or give written consent...
by Common Ground | May 5, 2020 | Capitols
The $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill passed in March charged US Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to consider waiving key special education rules as school districts struggle to teach students online. The Secretary was required to report back to Congress by late...
by Common Ground | May 5, 2020 | Capitols
Governor Murphy signed A.3904 (now P.L. 2020, Chapter 27), authorizing school districts and APSSDs to educate students remotely in emergency situations that require school facilities to be closed for more than three days. A day of remote instruction will be considered...
by Common Ground | May 5, 2020 | Capitols
The New Jersey State Board of Education has adopted temporary rule modifications to Chapter 14 of New Jersey Administrative Code, which governs the delivery of special education and related services to students with disabilities. The State Board, acting pursuant to...
by Common Ground | May 5, 2020 | Capitols
The USDOE has waived the federal requirement mandating states administer annual statewide assessments required pursuant to section 1111(b)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, for school year...
by Common Ground | Feb 24, 2020 | Capitols
In response to widespread and increasing mental health needs of teens and youth, Governor Phil Murphy announced a multi-pronged effort through schools and institutions of higher education to support youth mental health. The Department of Human Services, in partnership...
by Common Ground | Feb 24, 2020 | Capitols
In January, Governor Phil Murphy signed “Paul’s Law.” The measure authorizes parents or guardians to request the use of an Individualized Health Plan (IHP) for students with epilepsy or seizure disorders. The legislation also requires boards of education to ensure...
by Common Ground | Feb 3, 2020 | Capitols
A dozen democratic federal lawmakers, most from Illinois, have written a letter to the Trump administration calling for the Department of Education to update its 2016 guidance on restraint and seclusion. They have urged that the USDOE specifically ban seclusion; ban...
by Common Ground | Feb 3, 2020 | Capitols
A measure introduced in the New Jersey Senate would require criminal background checks for certain school employees and prohibit interference with school bus monitoring devices. The “School Bus Safety and Child Protection Act,” sponsored by Senators Beach...
by Common Ground | Feb 3, 2020 | Capitols
The USDOE, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) issued additional guidance on the role of parental involvement in placement decisions, and in particular, the decision about how far from home a child with disabilities can be educated. The guidance came in...
by Common Ground | Nov 19, 2019 | Capitols
A bill introduced in the New Jersey legislature would require school buses that transport students with disabilities to be equipped with certain safety features including a GPS, two-way communication such as a cell phone, and a video camera to monitor safety of the...
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