The New Jersey PTA is committed to Special Education and its efforts to ensure that every child, whether they have a mental and/or physical disability, deserves and should be provided with the tools which enable them to achieve their ultimate educational goals. Over the years PTAs have supported legislation which enables special needs children to receive the necessary educational programs. We have encouraged local PTAs to take an interest in forming a Special Education Committee or Special Education PTA and depending on the district population of special needs children, there is always the possibility of forming a District wide Special Education PTA. Special Education Committees on Local PTAs or individual Special Education PTAs can be helpful when dealing with the Special Education community, in particularly the parents of children with disabilities. There is an additional focus on Special Education legislation and law and a wide variety of resources which a PTA can make readily available to their members. In addition, a Special Education PTA Committee or individual PTA can provide programs which are specifically geared towards children with special needs.
There are always issues in Special Education which warrant support from child advocacy groups, and the PTA is definitely at the forefront of these organizations. Whether they are the laws which enforce handicap accessibility or the compliance of Individuals Disability Education Act which govern certain guidelines for No Child Left Behind, you can be sure PTAs are adding support. Right now we are advocating for full Federal funding for IDEA in the effort to alleviate the states’ and districts financial burdens.
For additional information on NCLB: http://www.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml
NJ State Department of Education's Special Education Guide
For additional information on IDEA: http://idea.ed.gov
The single, most important process, in which a parent of a child with special needs participates in, is their child’s Individual Education Program (IEP). This program specifically tailors the education for a child who has been classified as disabled by their school district. One of the most informative websites available to the public which concentrates on Special Education law is www.wrightslaw.com. On this website you will find a wealth of information on the rights, a child with special needs has, by laws which are governed by the State and Federal governments. If a bill is introduced into the legislature regarding Special Education, we will post the information and certainly any bills effecting Special Education which have passed the New Jersey Assembly and Senate, we will post as soon as we get the information.
Click here for information regarding amendment to NJ's existing Home and Community Based Services Waiver.
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
Information on higher education opportunities for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities: www.thinkcollege.net
Key terms to know in Special Education
For a list of additional resources, click here.
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