Paying for Special Education
Less than 50 years ago, students in the United States with Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, dyslexia, and other conditions were routinely turned away from school because of their disabilities. Today, they are entitled to a free and appropriate public education....From the Capitol: Diversity Divide in Education
While only 43% of NJ students are white, 67% of our state’s public school teachers are white. A package of nine bills has been introduced in the New Jersey Senate to address the lack of teacher diversity in the Garden State. In addition, the Governor’s 2022 budget...From the Capitol: Bill Would Establish a School Mental Health Task Force
In January, New Jersey lawmakers introduced a bill that would establish a Task Force on Student Mental Health. The 16-member task force would make recommendations regarding identification of students who experience depression, anxiety, stress, or other psychological...From The Capitol: New Jersey Board of Education Moves Forward on Special Education Regulations Proposed for Private Schools
On December 30, 2016, the New Jersey Department of Education proposed new special education regulations that will affect tuition rates and accounting practices at state-approved private schools for students with disabilities. In more than 80 pages of code, the NJDOE...From The Capitol: Special Education and Autism Training to be Required as Part of NJ Teacher Certification
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...From the Capitol: U.S. DOE Increases Funding for Teachers
The U.S. Department of Education has earmarked $7 million to help recruit and train teachers and administrators serving children with disabilities. The funding will go to seven states, including New Jersey, to enhance preparation and professional development focused...From the Capitol: Restraint and Seclusion Bill Advances in NJ Legislature
A bill making its way through the New Jersey Legislature would establish requirements for the use of restraint and seclusion for students with disabilities. This spring, the bill (Senate Bill 1163) cleared the New Jersey Senate and has been referred to the Assembly...From the Capitol: Emergency Alert System for Missing Vulnerable Persons (MVP) Signed into Law
Early in 2016, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed legislation that requires the Attorney General to establish a Missing Vulnerable Persons (MVP) Emergency Alert System for missing children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The system...From the Capitol: New Jersey Among a Handful of States Deemed to Meet Special Education Obligations
The U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) has found that 19 states, including New Jersey, met federal requirements under IDEA in the 2013-2014 school year. All other states were found to “need assistance” or “need intervention.” The Individuals with Disabilities...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