by Common Ground | Oct 29, 2019 | Parents, Professionals, Teachers
On any given school day, New Jersey students line up and leave the building as part of mandatory emergency drills. These drills are a good thing. Students, staff, and emergency responders need a plan and need to practice it so they are safe and ready in the event of a...
by Common Ground | Oct 29, 2019 | Parents, Professionals, Students, Teachers
There are many “myths” surrounding special education. Here are 5 we are “busting.” Myth #1: If parents say they can only attend an IEP meeting on a weekend, the school has to schedule it at that time. Fact: IEP meetings should be held at a “mutually agreed upon time...
by Common Ground | Aug 12, 2019 | Parents, Professionals, Teachers
By Joanne DeSimone As an advocate, I help parents and district case managers find appropriate placement options for their students. As a special educator and parent of two children with disabilities, I use the knowledge I’ve acquired from sitting on both sides of the...
by Common Ground | May 6, 2019 | Features, Parents, Professionals, Teachers
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA, states that “Beginning not later than the first IEP to be in effect when the child turns 16, or younger if determined appropriate by the IEP Team, and updated annually, thereafter, the IEP must include...
by Common Ground | May 6, 2019 | Parents, Q&A
By Ira M. Fingles, Esq. Q: What is an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)? A: Independent educational evaluations are one of a parents’ most powerful rights in the special education system. Under Federal special education law, an IEE is defined as “an evaluation...
by Common Ground | May 6, 2019 | Better IEPs, Parents, Professionals, Teachers
By Katie Curran, MAPP It’s that time of year – IEP season! Whether you are a parent of a child who needs an Individualized Education Program or a special educator tasked with writing the plan, you are likely preparing for upcoming meetings. These meetings aim to set...
by Common Ground | May 6, 2019 | Parents
By Bob Cunningham, Ed.M. Was your child recently evaluated — either by the school, a private clinic or independent evaluator? It’s important to share the report with your child’s teacher (if the evaluator or your lawyer, if you have one, doesn’t object). Here are...
by Common Ground | Jan 24, 2019 | Parents, Professionals, Students, Teachers, Watch This
Self-advocacy is one of the most important skills a young person with a disability can have. Here are 10 tips for self-advocacy for young people with disabilities, by young people with disabilities, produced by...
by Common Ground | Jan 24, 2019 | Better IEPs, Parents, Professionals, Students, Teachers
There are many ways to include students in their Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, and every student is different. Below are some essential tips to remember when encouraging student participation in IEP meetings. Speak openly with your student about...
by Common Ground | Jan 22, 2018 | Parents
By Joanne DeSimone I recently took notice of a headline which read, “Alabama school board member considers institutionalization for special ed students.” Early into the video, school board member Ms. Ella Bell says, “Is it against the law for us to establish perhaps...
by Common Ground | Aug 3, 2017 | Parents
Here are ten tips to help you get off to a good start at the beginning of the new school year. Help Your Child Deal with Transitions. Is your child making the transition from preschool to kindergarten, from elementary to middle school, or from middle school to high...
by Common Ground | Jun 5, 2017 | Parents
Sometimes, learning happens OUTSIDE of school. In this special edition of Parents’ Perspective, we offer advice on learning to go to the dentist: By Dr. Christina R. Carter The thought of seeing a dentist can be overwhelming for both parents and patients, but it does...
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