by Common Ground | Jan 17, 2025 | Current-Issue, Features, Uncategorized
Policy leaders headed to Washington have proposed major changes to the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) — some have suggested that it be “dismantled,” and others have suggested it be “abolished.” During his campaign, President Trump promised to “close the...
by Common Ground | Jan 17, 2025 | Current-Issue, Uncategorized
For the 2023–2024 school year, the USDOE allocated about $15.8 billion for IDEA, which is distributed among the states. Federal funding covers 13–15% of the total cost of providing special education services nationwide. The rest is covered by state and local...
by Common Ground | Jan 17, 2025 | Courts, Current-Issue, Uncategorized
On June 28, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court made a big decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, striking down the “Chevron doctrine.” This decision ends a forty-year-old practice that allowed courts to defer to federal agencies when interpreting unclear or...
by Common Ground | Apr 20, 2023 | Parents, Professionals, Special Ed Basics, Teachers, Uncategorized
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...
by Common Ground | Feb 13, 2022 | Parents, Professionals, Teachers, Uncategorized
Children diagnosed with auditory processing disorders (APD) experience difficulties in auditory functioning and with memory, attention, language, and reading tasks. However, the fact that these symptoms are similar to those of children diagnosed with different...
by Common Ground | Feb 26, 2020 | Better IEPs, Uncategorized
By Jessica Lenhart Progress monitoring is essential to ensuring that a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is appropriate. Research reveals that sharing progress data is a best practice for improving IEP meetings. (i) Yet, the failure to properly report and...
by Common Ground | Feb 3, 2020 | Parents, Professionals, Students, Teachers, Uncategorized
Students can learn a lot in a classroom, but a good field trip lets them see, feel, and touch the curriculum in ways that make learning come to life. When trips are well planned, relevant, and linked to classroom instruction, students gain a better understanding of...
by Common Ground | May 25, 2018 | Capitols, Uncategorized
Legislation introduced this spring by State Senator Teresa Ruiz (D-29), Chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee, would establish a new way for districts to identify students with learning disabilities and find them eligible for special education services. Current...
by Common Ground | May 2, 2017 | Parents, Uncategorized
By Janice Fialka I was sitting in one of those meetings where everyone wished they were someplace else. The fake smiles could not dissipate the thick fog of tension that impaired our vision. I, the parent of a child with disabilities, was being told that my...
by Common Ground | Jul 29, 2016 | Q&A, Uncategorized
by Elaine Mulligan A charter school is a public school and as such, is responsible for serving students with disabilities in keeping with state law. Q: What is a Charter School? A: Charter schools are public elementary and secondary schools, just as traditional...
by Common Ground | Aug 1, 2011 | Uncategorized
Common Ground, the publication that is increasing the dialogue among stakeholders in New Jersey’s special education system, is on its way to being online soon!