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Laws and rights coded under the ration and governance of services. This high transportation costs sometimes to
Americans with Disabilities Law outline would require the kind of political will in private schools at a significant distance.
special services available under clas- state governance that puts policy ben- And, when services are challenged, high
sification procedures for IDEA or Sec- efits above political self-interests. litigation costs often occur.
tion 504 for students K-12 and college First, rigorous and standards-based Recruitment and hiring, inter-district
students. But how well are these rights recruitment and hiring processes should staff development on best practices in
made available, implemented, and be followed state-wide. Mandatory staff special education, with reconfigured
monitored? What attitudes are brought development, with the expectation to use of classroom space and shared
to bear by those who are required to work toward dual certification in special programs between these districts would
put into effect accommodations and education if not already in place when not only address disparities and neglect
modifications to not only “level the hired, and regionalized or cooperative in special education services that pres-
playing field” but create conditions in agreements between school districts ently exist. Over time, the success of
which students grow and better, thrive. should take place. Staff development these practices might encourage a new
As a principal, I experienced a certain based on evidence based best prac- definition of school district governance
tension during the classification pro- tices for a variety of special education better aligned to the New Jersey’s
cedure, development of the IEP under services should be incentivized by state Constitution’s requirement to "provide
IDEA, IAP under Section 504, imple- governance and facilitated by the state for the maintenance and support of a
mentation, and monitoring of such. department of education in inter-district thorough and efficient system of free
These tensions would revolve around consortiums. public schools for the instruction of all
cost, instructional space, student There are encouraging examples of children in the State between the ages
need, parent and professional staff best practices being shared in areas of 5 and 18 years."
advocacy or lack thereof, and how such as inclusive classrooms. Kate Turning to higher education, public
well modifications and accommoda- Taylor reports in For Children With colleges and universities have Dis-
tions were put into effect. Autism, No More Being Hushed (New ability Resource Centers to serve and
Implementing accommodations and York Times, June 14, 2017), that over authorize accommodations for students
modifications can and do go wrong. I the last 14 years, a program called ASD duly admitted to the university, includ-
have seen this when inconsistencies Nest, in 39 elementary, middle and ing those admitted into highly competi-
and disagreements occur between high schools in New York City helps tive and technical fields of study. The
regular and special education teach- autistic students understand the school officials at these centers are advocates
ers. I have seen this in a lack of pro- environment and their own needs to for the student and university in the
fessional awareness when students function in and out of school. This is best of possible scenarios. By advocat-
exhibit hidden disabilities, not limited accomplished by an inclusive classroom ing accommodations for these students
to those who are high functioning setting with two teachers and regular to “level the playing field” these stu-
on the autism spectrum or students and special children together from the dents can succeed and the university
with high verbal but low non-verbal beginning of their school experience. and fields of study are represented
abilities. Because these students can In Nest, teachers focus on actively by individuals who bring diversity and
appear typical or compliant given par- teaching appropriate social interaction, a healthy sensitivity to that field. Yet,
ticular areas of strength, learning and and student tolerance and empathy are given the highly autonomous authority
social discrepancies where special modeled, taught and given purpose. of university professors, what are the
services would be of value are missed The professional conversations that safeguards and protections for these
or ignored. And what can we do locally would take place in these classrooms by students? This question is beyond the
as well as through mandates in our inter-district staff development consor- scope of this commentary, but autono-
state department of education and tiums would lead to collective and varied mous authority is ripe for a wide range
higher education governance to insure services appropriate to a range of spe- in how accommodations are imple-
students receive not only fair and eq- cial education needs. Students and their mented. Without mandatory workshops
uitable services, but those defined by families are put first and overall costs and staff development on working with
evidence-based best practices? would be reduced over time. Presently, special needs students in higher edu-
Remedies on the local level as well as districts that cannot or do not provide cation settings, student success can
systemically statewide would require specialized services rely on costly pri- be highly influenced by the professor’s
flexibility given the local control configu- vate school placements, with attendant enlightenment or biases.

About the Author
Jonathan Shutman, Ed.D., is a retired elementary school principal. Since retirement, he has taught at
Brookdale Community College, mentored for NJL2L, and is an ESL and math support teacher for CNA
and LPN students with the Monmouth County Vocational School District. Jon has had letters to the
editor in the Asbury Park Press and New York Times and NYT Picks on educational and political issues,
has performed in pit bands for local community theater productions, and has occasional restaurant gigs
with the Seanote Jazz Trio.

Educational Viewpoints -101- Spring 2018