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 | Nov 16, 2025 | Capitols, November 2025
Since 1972, the Department of Education (DOE) has collected data that has been used by researchers, educators, and policymakers to draw conclusions and develop policies that influence American education. Local school administrators would use the data to track...
by Common Ground | Jun 18, 2025 | June-July 2025, Professionals
Occupational therapy (OT) is an important part of special education that helps students develop the skills they need to succeed in everyday tasks, both at school and at home. These tasks, or “occupations,” include things like writing, using scissors,...
by Common Ground | Jan 17, 2025 | January 2025 Special Policy Edition, Parents
Project 2025 is a plan being considered by the Trump administration. It has the potential to change how laws and services work for people with disabilities, including special education. If this plan is put into action, some important protections, such as access to...
by Common Ground | Jun 12, 2024 | Capitols, June 2024
A U.S. District Court judge has approved a settlement in a class action lawsuit between the New Jersey Department of Education and 5,000 families of New Jersey students receiving special education services. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states...
by Common Ground | Feb 22, 2024 | Capitols, February 2024
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education say 55% of preschoolers with disabilities receive special education services in classrooms separate from their peers. In a joint policy statement, they called for more young children with...
by Common Ground | Aug 24, 2023 | August 2023, Capitols
Proposed changes to federal rules around Medicaid billing could make it easier for schools to pay for certain special education services. Currently, schools can bill Medicaid for health-related services in a student’s IEP, such as speech, occupational and...
by Common Ground | Aug 24, 2023 | August 2023, Courts
A New York school district has settled a lawsuit that claimed school staff failed to provide a student with autism their proper resources and care. The case went to trial and settled for $1.55M. The plaintiff’s family sued the North Syracuse Central School...
by Common Ground | Apr 22, 2023 | April 2023, Parents, Professionals, 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...
by Common Ground | Apr 20, 2023 | April 2023, Courts, Parents, Professionals, Teachers
The U.S. Supreme Court in March ruled unanimously that a deaf student may pursue his lawsuit for monetary damages against a Michigan school district that allegedly failed for years to provide him with adequate sign language assistance. The court held that a procedural...
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