by Common Ground | Sep 27, 2024 | Capitols, Parents, Professionals, Teachers
While restraint continues to occur in New Jersey schools, the state has made progress in addressing the issue of seclusion and restraint. In 2020, the state enacted a law requiring the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) to collect data on incidents of...
by Common Ground | Feb 8, 2023 | Parents, Professionals, Teachers
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress has provided three rounds of unprecedented direct federal funding to states to support the response of local school districts and to address the educational needs of students. Elementary and Secondary School Emergency...
by Common Ground | Jul 20, 2022 | Features
Less than 50 years ago, students in the United States with Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, dyslexia, and other conditions were routinely turned away from school because of their disabilities. Today, they are entitled to a free and appropriate public education....
by Common Ground | Apr 20, 2021 | Capitols
While only 43% of NJ students are white, 67% of our state’s public school teachers are white. A package of nine bills has been introduced in the New Jersey Senate to address the lack of teacher diversity in the Garden State. In addition, the Governor’s 2022 budget...
by Common Ground | Jan 24, 2019 | Capitols
In January, New Jersey lawmakers introduced a bill that would establish a Task Force on Student Mental Health. The 16-member task force would make recommendations regarding identification of students who experience depression, anxiety, stress, or other psychological...
by Common Ground | Feb 26, 2017 | Capitols
On December 30, 2016, the New Jersey Department of Education proposed new special education regulations that will affect tuition rates and accounting practices at state-approved private schools for students with disabilities. In more than 80 pages of code, the NJDOE...
by Common Ground | Feb 26, 2017 | Capitols
A bipartisan measure (S-1474) addressing teacher training that was introduced in February 2016 has been signed into law in New Jersey. The bill requires teacher preparation programs for instructional certificates to include instruction or clinical experience in...
by Common Ground | Dec 12, 2016 | Capitols
The U.S. Department of Education has earmarked $7 million to help recruit and train teachers and administrators serving children with disabilities. The funding will go to seven states, including New Jersey, to enhance preparation and professional development focused...
by Common Ground | Jul 29, 2016 | Capitols
A bill making its way through the New Jersey Legislature would establish requirements for the use of restraint and seclusion for students with disabilities. This spring, the bill (Senate Bill 1163) cleared the New Jersey Senate and has been referred to the Assembly...
by Common Ground | Apr 15, 2016 | Capitols
Early in 2016, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed legislation that requires the Attorney General to establish a Missing Vulnerable Persons (MVP) Emergency Alert System for missing children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The system...
.