Above: ASAH Executive Director, John J. Mulholland Jr., Esq., recently invited thought leaders in special education to discuss public policy issues of shared concern, and to strengthen ties within and between the special education advocacy community, business community and education stakeholder groups. The ½ day event, hosted by Porzio Governmental Affairs, brought together leaders from SPAN, ARCNJ, NJCDD, NJSBA, ACNJ, CSEFR, ELC, NJBIA, and others.

The shortage of school staff is affecting all students, but there are unique challenges and unique solutions to better serve the 10,000 public school students with disabilities who are placed in New Jersey’s approved private schools for students with disabilities (APSSDs).

While the Governor’s 23-member task force did not include a representative of the private special education sector, ASAH issued its own report on the staffing needs to serve students with severe and complex disabilities. ASAH’s report lays out more than 20 concrete recommendations and strategies to address staff retention, improve teacher preparation programs, improve career ladder and professional development, address compensation and benefits, and improve certification and teacher credentialing practices. The vast majority of ASAH’s recommendations would require no legislative action.