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