Law Office of James M. Baron

09/13/2022

New Hampshire Education Freedom Accounts (EFA) are intended to help supplement the cost of private educational services. An EFA might not be appropriate in all circumstances, though. This article explains some of the more important aspects of the EFA.

In 2021, New Hampshire approved a program to help eligible parents of students pay for various private education expenses. Under the new law, eligible parents can create an Education Freedom Accoun…

08/18/2022

"Higher MCAS scores will be required to graduate high school in Massachusetts" https://buff.ly/3K1IO9a

It's been over 15 years since I wrote in the Suffolk Law Review regarding my concern about how the MCAS graduation requirement can have such a devastating impact on special education children (Click here to download a free copy: https://buff.ly/3ptMAi8 ). I continue to be concerned that the state's use of MCAS as a graduation requirement can prevent some otherwise-eligible special education students from being able to obtain a high school diploma, and therefore unable to pursue and obtain their career goals. (https://buff.ly/3j7fkte)

The board of education voted Monday to raise MCAS scores required for high school graduation.

08/16/2022

Massachusetts Education board votes to raise MCAS score graduation requirements https://buff.ly/3AxvciR (https://buff.ly/3j7fkte)

State education officials voted Monday to require students to achieve higher scores in order to graduate high school in Massachusetts.

07/05/2022

This blog article discusses two exciting new laws in New Hampshire. One law requires school districts to assist special education students age 17 and over with registering to vote; the other law creates an Office of the Advocate for Special Education.

Kudos to New Hampshire for being so proactive in legislating on behalf of special education students. New Hampshire has recently passed two new laws that will benefit both students and their parent…

07/05/2022

NH has passed HB 1594, regarding voter registration for special education and 504 students. Effective August 16, 2022, all IEP and 504 Teams must discuss and help students register to vote (ages 17 and over).

Specifically, the law reads as follows: "When an individualized education program (IEP) team or planning team for accommodations pursuant to Section 504... meets for the purpose of reviewing or developing an IEP or accommodation plan for a student who is 17 years of age or older, or will be during that academic year, the team shall discuss voter registration as an appropriate community living/citizenship training goal or competency to be included in the IEP or Section 504 plan, and, if appropriate, when and how voter registration should be accomplished. Any resulting decisions shall be included in the IEP or Section 504 plan." https://buff.ly/3nDeqr4 (https://buff.ly/3j7fkte)

06/19/2022

Not a special ed story, but it highlights how important the right start and the right guidance can be for children - Ray Dalio, Bill Gates and Jack Dorsey started their careers before turning 15—now they're all billionaires https://buff.ly/3N2Lxiu (https://buff.ly/3j7fkte)

Billionaires Ray Dalio, Bill Gates and Jack Dorsey leveraged the skills they learned as teenagers into influential — and lucrative — careers. Here's how.

06/18/2022

HB 1513 has passed the New Hampshire Legislature, and is awaiting Gov. Sununu's signature. It will raise the age limit for special education eligibility in New Hampshire from 21 to 22. https://buff.ly/39wL1vg (https://buff.ly/3j7fkte)

The bipartisan legislation is heading to the governor's desk.

05/27/2022

This is a very amazing and inspiring story. This student, who has a rare disability and felt invisible in high school, attended and graduated MassBay Community College, started a scholarship for students with disabilities, and now intends to move on to Merrimack College to study Social Justice. https://buff.ly/3LNUH1r (https://buff.ly/3j7fkte)

Instead of birthday gifts, he asked for donations and created a scholarship for future students.

05/17/2022

"School districts in Lebanon, Claremont and Sunapee are among several New Hampshire districts supporting a lawsuit against the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) over the department’s restriction on services to students with developmental disabilities." https://buff.ly/3ljeMCg (https://buff.ly/3j7fkte)

The Department of Health and Human Services maintains that “home and community-based services are not available to anyone who is still in school,” according to court records.

05/08/2022

Exeter High's new learning center will focus on supporting independent living skills https://buff.ly/3MZerAh (https://buff.ly/3j7fkte)

A substantial renovation is underway to convert a district-owned house into a new special education Learning Center that mirrors traditional home living.

04/29/2022

For any school district that tried to use Covid as an excuse not to implement an IEP, think again... OCR Reaches Resolution Agreement with Nation’s Second Largest School District to Meet Needs of Students with Disabilities during COVID-19 Pandemic https://buff.ly/3LHztU1 (https://buff.ly/3j7fkte)

Office for Civil Rights Reaches Resolution Agreement with Nation’s Second Largest School District, Los Angeles Unified, to Meet Needs of Students with Disabilities during COVID-19 Pandemic U.S. Department of Education sent this bulletin at 04/28/2022 02:14 PM EDT Having trouble viewing this email?...

04/26/2022

Facing staff shortages, N.H. school districts turn to job fairs and signing bonuses

https://buff.ly/3kdR2id (https://buff.ly/3j7fkte)

As school districts recruit staff for next year, many worry that the state’s workforce shortage, combined with pandemic burnout, will leave many positions unfilled.