From the Capitols: New Jersey Adopts Rules for Seclusion and Restraint for Students with Disabilities
On his final days in office, NJ Governor Chris Christie signed into law a measure that establishes requirements for use of restraint and seclusion on students with disabilities in special education. The bipartisan bill, which was passed unanimously in both houses of...Snap Shot: Bullying In Schools
More than 5 million school children – 22% of students ages 12-18 – reported being bullied at school during the school year. 6% of students reported that they were pushed, shoved, tripped, or spit on. A higher percentage of females than of males ages 12–18...Student Perspective: The Partially Defined Struggle
by Jeremy Einbinder Because cerebral palsy is neurological, my brain is my body and my body is my brain. The physical impairments associated with cerebral palsy may be my most obvious issue, but it’s impossible to completely separate my physical issues from my social...Students with Disabilities and the Discipline Gap
An 8-year-old boy with Asperger’s Syndrome is suspended from his elementary school after getting frustrated in class and balling his fist around his pencil, an action that the school called “aggressive.” A 10-year-old boy with emotional and behavioral...Q&A: Out-of-School Suspension of Students with Disabilities: What Parents Need to Know
If you are the parent of a child with a disability, you may know the feeling of dread that comes when your child’s school calls during the school day, asking you to pick up your child because they cannot deal with today’s behaviors. Parents often feel they must...From the Capitol: Governor Signs Law Requiring Unified Sports For Students with Disabilities
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has signed into law a bipartisan measure (S-2079) designed to ensure that students with disabilities are able to participate in athletics, and are provided with reasonable accommodations or modifications, based on their individual...Snapshot: Students with Social and Emotional Disabilities in the Justice System
Seventy percent of children in the juvenile justice system have educational disabilities — the vast majority have emotional disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disabilities. Children with emotional disabilities fail more courses, earn lower grade point...From the Courts: Intentional Exclusion from Graduation Ceremonies Results in Cash Settlement
The board of education of a North Jersey school district has agreed to pay a student with severe disabilities $30,000 to settle allegations that it deliberately caused her to miss middle school graduation in 2012. The case involves an 8th grade girl who has severe...From the Capitol: Package of Bills Address Dyslexia
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has signed two bills addressing reading disabilities: one that will make it easier to identify students with dyslexia, and another intended to improve the training teachers get. Dyslexia is a brain-based learning disability that is...NJCommonGround.org, and the Common Ground E-newsletter are projects of the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities
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- The Right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education
- What to Do if You Suspect Your Child has a Disability Impacting Their Education
- Initial Special Education Evaluations and Eligibility
- The Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- Special Education Placement
- Q&A: What are Extended School Year (ESY) Services?
- Q&A: Dispute Resolution