Defend Special Ed: NJ Action Initiated / Strong
IDEA List Serve Started
IDEA Revisions: What's in Store.
IDEA Now of NJDDC
IDEA Revisions: What's in Store.
IDEA Now of NJDDC / NJ Public
Forums on IDEA /
SPAN IDEA Survey / SPAN IDEA
Links
NJ State
IDEA Page /
B.
Gantwerk Letter
Contact State to
Oppose Weakening of NJ Special Ed Law
Organizations Advocating Strong IDEA: SPAN /
ARC NJ
By Bob Witanek http://StudentAdvocate-NJ.org http://APIECENJ.org
Many of you know of networks of other special needs parents, supporters, professionals, etc. Please let them know of this critical information about the status of special education law in NJ. Please forward this information wherever appropriate.
A new list serve has been started to garner support for an effort to defend the strongest possible NJ special education law – given the weakening of federal standards with the 2004 federal IDEA revisions. To subscribe to NJStrongIDEA@yahoogroups.com, send a message to NJStrongIDEA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com .
If you prefer not to be on a list serve but are interested in doing your part to work for the strongest possible NJ special education law, please contact: BobWitanek@apiecenj.org ,
Martha Brecher, 973 642 8100 x 114 martha.brecher@spannj.org
Renay Zamloot, 973 642 8100 x 111 rzamloot@earthlink.net
This new list serve will provide an opportunity for organizations and individuals to work together, network, become informed and advocate for the strongest possible implementation of the IDEA revisions being sent down from the federal government.
In December 2004, revisions to federal IDEA were signed into law. Now, states will decide how to incorporate the changes. There is no requirement that any weakening of federal law has to be enacted at the state level. It is up to the parents, students, educators and allies of students with disabilities in the NJ public school system to demand that there be no weakening of NJ law.
At the March 18–19 2005 Statewide Parents Advocacy Network in East Windsor SPAN conference, a workshop involving SPAN http://SPANNJ.org , ARC NJ http://www.ARCNJ.org and parent advocacy groups from throughout NJ, the issues at stake were laid out and a plan of action was discussed. SPAN and ARC are devising a call to coalition around the major points at stake. For more information or if your organization or you as an individual are interested in participating in, joining or supporting such a coalition, please contact:
Martha Brecher, 973 642 8100 x 114 martha.brecher@spannj.org
Renay Zamloot, 973 642 8100 x 111 rzamloot@earthlink.net
The following are some of the issues at stake:
I. IEP Process Potential Changes
A. Short-term goals can be eliminated
B. IEP review period can be lengthened in 15 states
C. Attendance rules can be weakened
D. Progress reporting rules can be changed
E. Timelines can be changed
II. Discipline Procedure Potential Changes
A. Manifestation determination burden of proof could shift to parents
B. Stay-put can be eliminated
C. Changes can be implemented as to how appropriateness of IEP behavioral plan can be considered.
D. Limit of time of removal can be lengthened
III. Procedural Safeguards Potential Changes
A. Notice requirement reduced to annual instead of at each meeting
B. Attorneys Fees could be rewarded from parents to district
C. Statute of limitations could be imposed
D. Resolution meeting could be imposed to precede due process
IV. Transition Potential Changes
A. Transitional services could be changed to start at age 16 instead of 14
This is a very sparse list of the issues in play – experts with more details are available to speak to your group on the topic – contact pkinsell@spannj.org for information about such speaker availability.
For a brochure with details, contact the NJ DDC at susan.richmond@njddc.org
Let us build unity and strength to prevent any NJ weakening of special education law given the federal IDEA Reauthorization of 2004. This list serve will serve as a tool for this effort.
To subscribe to NJStrongIDEA@yahoogroups.com, send a message to NJStrongIDEA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com .
Sincerely,
Bob Witanek http://StudentAdvocate-NJ.org http://APIECENJ.org
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