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Friday, March 1, 2013

Jersey Jazzman: Why Is NJ BOE Targeting Special Ed Case Workers?

Jersey Jazzman: Why Is NJ BOE Targeting Special Ed Case Workers?:


Why Is NJ BOE Targeting Special Ed Case Workers?

As I reported earlier, the NJ State Board of Education, acting on recommendations from the Education Transformation Task Force, is proposing a change in state code that would allow teachers and other staff to become case managers for students with special needs.

I've received a white paper dated February 22, 2013, from a coalition of stakeholders opposed to this change (I don't yet have a link to get my readers a copy, but I'm working on it). Members include:
  • Disability Rights New Jersey (DRNJ)
  • Education Law Center (ELC)
  • NJ Association of Learning Consultants (NJALC)
  • NJ Association of School Psychologists (NJASP)
  • NJ Association of School Social Workers (NJASSW)
  • NJ Association of Speech Language Specialists (NJASLS)
  • NJ Parent Advocates
  • New Jersey Education Association (NJEA)
  • NJ Special Education Practitioners
  • Special Education Clinic at Rutgers University School of Law - Newark
  • Special Education Leadership Council of NJ
  • Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN)
  • The Arc of New Jersey
So this isn't just the teachers union complaining; these groups represent the core of special education advocacy in the state. Why are they so concerned with this change?

To answer, let's look at the Task Force's report, and their reasons for suggesting the amendment. Here's the