by Common Ground | Feb 4, 2026 | Current-Issue, February 2026, Q&A
Q: What services should the school pay for? A: Schools must pay for services listed in your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). This can include special instruction, speech or occupational therapy, transportation, classroom supports, and assistive...
by Common Ground | Nov 16, 2025 | November 2025, Q&A
Q: My child with a disability may have been abused or neglected at school. What should I do first? A: If you suspect abuse or neglect (for example: physical injury, inappropriate restraint, neglect of care, etc.), you should immediately report the concern to the state...
by Common Ground | Sep 26, 2025 | October 2025, Q&A
Q: What are independent living skills? A: Independent living skills are the everyday abilities a person needs to take care of themselves and participate in their community. These include cooking, cleaning, using transportation, managing finances, making decisions,...
by Common Ground | Aug 28, 2025 | Q&A, September 2025
Advancements in technology tools have made academic success more accessible than ever before. From simple organizational aids to sophisticated software, technology can help level the playing field for students with physical, learning, sensory, and cognitive...
by Common Ground | Jun 16, 2025 | June-July 2025, Q&A, Special Ed Basics
Q: What is a special education assessment, and why is it important in determining related services? A: A special education assessment is a process that evaluates a child’s strengths and weaknesses in different areas, such as academic, social, emotional, and...
by Common Ground | May 17, 2025 | May 2025, Q&A
Disagreements in special education can feel stressful, but they don’t have to become battles. Most people on the IEP team want the same thing: for the student to succeed. By learning how decisions are made, understanding common issues, and knowing your rights,...
by Common Ground | Feb 13, 2025 | February 2025, Q&A
Assistive technology (AT) plays a transformative role in the education of students with disabilities, offering tools and devices that can support independence, enhance learning, and help students achieve academic success. In this Q&A, we explore the many ways that...
by Common Ground | Apr 4, 2024 | April 2024, Q&A
An act concerning emergency planning for students with disabilities in school settings was signed in January 2024 by Governor Phil Murphy. The bill clarifies the ways in which students with disabilities – specifically, those with an IEP, 504 Plan, or Health Plan –...
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 | 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 | Jun 16, 2023 | Better IEPs, June 2023, Q&A
By Jason Krasnow Q: What does the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) say about student involvement in the IEP process? A: The IDEA requires that students aged 14 and older be invited to attend their IEP meetings. Younger students do not need to be...
by Common Ground | Apr 20, 2023 | April 2023, Parents, Professionals, Q&A, Special Ed Basics, Teachers
Common Ground is committed to informing families and guardians about parental rights and special education advocacy. In this and upcoming editions we will share a series of basic and important special education topics on the rights, responsibilities, administrative...
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