by Common Ground | Feb 4, 2026 | Current-Issue, Features, February 2026
Special education helps millions of students with disabilities learn, grow, and succeed in school. For these students, services like speech therapy, classroom supports, and individualized instruction are not extras—they are what make learning possible. Federal law...
by Common Ground | Feb 4, 2026 | Current-Issue, February 2026, Professionals
School-based specialists—including speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and school counselors—play a critical role in supporting students with disabilities. Through daily interactions with students, these professionals witness...
by Common Ground | Feb 4, 2026 | Courts, Current-Issue, February 2026
A federal judge has overturned a state administrative order that forced a Gloucester County school district to cover the costs of independent evaluations obtained by the parent of a former student with a disability. The decision marks a significant development in a...
by Common Ground | Feb 4, 2026 | Current-Issue, February 2026, Watch This
In this podcast-style episode of The Opportunity Gap, Assistant Principal Julian Saavedra discusses how federal funding supports kids with disabilities, and the gaps in support. Explore the video description for additional resources provided by...
by Common Ground | Apr 4, 2024 | April 2024, Capitols
In a rare “turn around,” the NJDOE has rescinded a controversial proposal to cut funding to state approved specialized schools serving students with complex disabilities. In January, NJDOE proposed more than 200 changes to NJAC 6A:23A, Subchapter 18, which...
by Common Ground | Mar 17, 2022 | Capitols
Miguel Cardona, U.S. Secretary of Education, has called on Congress for more funding to meet the needs of students with disabilities and to support special education teachers. In a major speech, Cardona said the United Stated must do more to “ensure that children,...
by Common Ground | Apr 20, 2021 | Capitols
The proposed FY2022 New Jersey State budget includes $578 million in additional K-12 school aid and nearly $50 million in additional preschool funding. School districts will be able to use state funds, in conjunction with federal resources, to address COVID-19-related...
by Common Ground | Feb 24, 2020 | Parents, Professionals, Students, Teachers
By Gerard Thiers Federal law requires that every eligible child with disabilities – more than 220,000 in New Jersey – receive a “free and appropriate” education. Of course, special education services are not free. While they are provided at no cost to students or...
by Common Ground | Nov 19, 2019 | Capitols
A California congressperson has introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that offers a path to extra money for schools with special education expenses that are three or more times the average cost per student. H.R. 4673, the IDEA High Cost Pool Funding...
by Common Ground | May 6, 2019 | Capitols
Trenton lawmakers have introduced a bill (A-4692) that would change the way in which state aid to local public schools for special education is calculated. The state currently provides special education aid to school districts, using a census-based method. In this...
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