by Common Ground | Feb 26, 2017 | Q&A
By Deborah Lynam and Jillian Matysik Child Study Team (CST) members are often asked about dyslexia in schools by parents and educators. Until the recent dyslexia legislation in New Jersey, dyslexia was not traditionally discussed in schools. This was often a cause of...
by Common Ground | Feb 26, 2017 | Courts
On January 11, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on whether public schools owe children with disabilities “some” educational benefit — which courts have determined to mean just-above-trivial progress — or whether students legally deserve something more: a...
by Common Ground | Feb 26, 2017 | Courts
In February, The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) issued a unanimous decision in favor of a student with disabilities, and clarified the inter-relationship between the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)...
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 | Feb 26, 2017 | Snapshot
Newly released data from UDOE show that the number of students receiving special education is increasing. Newly-released data from the U.S. Department of Education indicates that 6,050,725 students ages 6 to 21 across the country were served under the Individuals with...
by Common Ground | Dec 12, 2016 | Features
Students without a home face steep educational challenges: the absence of basic necessities such as food and clothing; poor healthcare and medical services; a lack of quality mental health services; interruption of education due to mobility; and trauma.Poverty...
by Common Ground | Dec 12, 2016 | Snapshot
According to U.S. Census data, 2.5 million children were homeless in 2013. According to the National Center on Family Homelessness, there were nearly 17,000 homeless children in New Jersey during the 2012-13 school year. That is roughly the entire population of...
by Common Ground | Oct 25, 2016 | Courts
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to consider a case that will set the national standard for the education of students with disabilities. At issue is the level of benefit that school districts are required to provide. The court will consider the question of whether...
by Common Ground | Oct 25, 2016 | Features
by Janet Renda “It is vital to consider the role of the Paraprofessional as potentially temporary” One-to-one paraprofessionals are often considered highly desirable in special education settings as a means of ensuring that a student with a significant...
by Common Ground | Sep 4, 2016 | Capitols
Legislation to establish a Response to Intervention initiative (RTI) within the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) has been signed by Governor Christie. The bipartisan measure (S-496 and A-2566) was co-sponsored by a long list of education leaders and...