by Common Ground | Apr 4, 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In a rare “turn around,” the NJDOE has rescinded a controversial proposal to cut funding to state approved specialized schools serving students with complex disabilities.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...
by Common Ground | Jul 26, 2017 | Capitols
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed a bipartisan budget bill, following a 4-day government shut down that brought public services to a standstill. The $34.7 billion spending plan adds $150 million for schools and shifts $31 million from ‘overfunded’...
by Common Ground | Jun 5, 2017 | Capitols
Federal funding for services to the nation’s 6 million students who receive special education saw a modest boost under a bipartisan agreement approved by Congress in late April. The agreement was rushed in order to avert a government shutdown. Grants to states under...
by Common Ground | Nov 4, 2013 | Capitols
Governor Christie has approved the state budget for New Jersey for the 2014 fiscal year, which began on July 1. The budget includes two changes that affect special education funding. First, the amount of categorical aid for special education that districts will...
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