Increasing the dialogue among stakeholders in New Jersey’s special education system

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 students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

With new developments in the identification and education of students with ASD, the new APQI-R replaces the 2004 edition of New Jersey Autism Program Quality Indicators: A Self-Review of Quality Improvement Guide for Programs Servicing Youth Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The document is intended to help school-based practitioners in the field of education, including schools and other educational settings. It establishes a framework that can be replicated in general education to promote more inclusive opportunities and ensure least restrictive environment (LRE), and identify and promote the use of evidence-based practices for effective programming and instruction for students with ASD. In addition, the document promotes non-biased considerations for economically disadvantaged children, children who are diverse in race and ethnicity, and children who speak a language other than English.

Access the The Autism Program Quality Indicators-Revised (APQI-R) guidance document.