The New Jersey Student Advocate
A publication of A Parents’ Initiative
for Every Child’s Education (APIECE)
Fall 2005, “The First Issue” Volume 1, Issue Number 1
“Standing up for the rights
of all students including those facing adversity due to disability, racial
disparity and economic inequity”
Visit today: http://StudentAdvocate-NJ.org http://APIECENJ.org / 908-881-5275 /
908-874-5094 Advocate@StudentAdvocate-NJ.org / APIECE, PO Box 1214, Belle Mead,
NJ 08502
Paid for by members and supporters of and donators to A Parents’ Initiative for
Every Child’s Education
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About the NJ Student Advocate
About the NJ Student
Advocate This initial issue of the NJ Student Advocate, a publication of A
Parents' Initiative for Every Child's Education (APIECE http://APIECENJ.org ) is
a tool to promote maximal rights of students with disabilities and their parents
and guardians given the harmful law changes being handed down due to the passage
of IDEIA 2004 revisions to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA). Our organization has been spearheading a petition and letter writing
drive to pressure the New Jersey Department of Education
There are 225,000 special education children here in NJ whose rights are being
undermined.
For those parents who have struggled with their school districts to obtain FAPE
(Free and Appropriate Public Education), your challenges will be multiplied with
the rollback of your rights and the rights of your children.
This rollback of our rights can be curtailed if we stand together, organize and
unify hundreds of thousands of parents to state clearly to the NJ Department of
Education: "Not one step backwards for special education students and their
families!"
You will also see in this issue articles about other educational matters that
are important to our organization. The 'special needs' issues is only one aspect
of our work and as a principle, we believe that the solution to every issue in
public education entails the need for parents, students and communities to
become organized around the issues that are most important to them. Through
unity and organization, we can become empowered and we can assert our rights -
whether the issue be the rights of students with disabilities, the achievement
gap, how history is taught in the public schools, whether NJ will honor its
commitment to building the needed schools in our communities or any other
educational issue. We call upon parents and communities to organize and unite in
support of public education and student - parent - community empowerment and
control or what is going on in the schools. The following is a list of some of
the issues covered in this First Edition of The NJ Student Advocate:
IDEIA 2004 Issues:
* Petition for strong special education law
* Guide to letter writing in support of students with disabilities
* Where are the candidates on this question?
* What is the hearing process for IDEIA 2004 and how can we impact the process
* Racial disparities
Other Issues:
* Amistad Act - Making it a Reality
* SCC Debacle: Account for Funds! Build the Schools!
* Opting Your Child Out from Info Sharing w/ Recruiters
* Organizing for parental and community control of our public schools
* Recreation for those with disabilities
Turn these pages and you are turning the pages of history.
Ask the Advocate
NJ Complaint Form (MS Word)
(PDF)
On Line Public Hearing on IDEIA 2004
Survey on NJ OSEP Complaint
Process
Past Activities
IEP Wkshp
Rec. Programs for
those w/ Disabilities
An Evening of Educational Advocacy
September 8, 2005 Edison, NJ
What The Student Advocate Has Done for Our Children
Lately . . .
NJ IDEIA 2004 Organizing Committee
Minutes of IDEIA 2004 meeting on Thu., May
26
Student Rights Radio
Discussion, October 31
Effort to
Reach Gubernatorial Hopefuls and Acting Governor / Candidates
IDEA: An Update
Dec. 5, 2005
Middletown
January 18,
2006: Hold a Candle Light for Our Children's Rights
50 Strong For Our
Children
No. Jersey Radio Interview Aired, 1/22
Petitioning for Rights Children: Legal in Princeton
Interview on NJ IDEIA Rights
- Racial Disparities in Sp-Ed
Call
is Heard in Montgomery Twp: Inclusive Recreation
NJSAU Minutes 2/18/2006
Playing and Singing for
Our Rights, 4/1/6
Better IDEA Laws for Special Education
Students?
Better IEPs? Anything is Possible!
April
1 Report: Student Advocacy Union - Fundraising Concert
Mobilization for Rights
of Our Children, May 17, 2006, Trenton
Nationwide Internet Radio Rally for Sp-Ed Parent Rights
9pm EST, Sat. May 20
Parents’ Rally @ Statehouse in Trenton Thursday, June 8, 2006
Piscataway Parents Mtg, June 19, 2006