Guiding Principles

  1. Inclusive Education: The SELC of New Jersey believes inclusion to be a basic human need and a basic human right. Students in NJ should not have to earn their right to belong. Every student with a disability should be educated, to the greatest extent possible, in his/her neighborhood school in the same educational setting as his/her typically developing peers. We believe that Inclusive Education is not a program or placement; it is a network of necessary support services custom-tailored to meet the individual needs of each student. The educational inclusion of students with disabilities develops adults who are more easily integrated into the larger community enabling them to become productive and contributing members of society. This requires a strong philosophical and financial commitment from the educational leadership of our state and each individual school district.

  2. Full Continuum of Educational Opportunities: The SELC believes that the least restrictive environment is defined differently for each child based upon his or her unique needs. Accordingly, we acknowledge that some students must be educated outside of the public school setting to receive FAPE; and support a full range of placement options being available to parents of students who require specialized out-of-district programs.

  3. Protection of the Human Rights of Students with Disabilities: The SELC of New Jersey believes that students with disabilities have a right to treatment that is humane, effective, and based upon scientific research. We believe the use of restraints and aversives to be a failure of treatment. The behavioral needs of students with disabilities should be supported using a positive approach that is based on comprehensive evaluation and implemented with an understanding of each student’s individual differences. We believe the use of positive practices that promote the respectful and dignified treatment of students will result in them being successful and welcomed members of their school communities.

  4. Parental Involvement: The SELC believes that the success of a student’s educational program is dependant upon active parental involvement in the process. Parents are the ultimate experts regarding their children and should be involved in every aspect of program development and implementation. We believe that by increasing parental involvement on both the individual and system-wide levels, we improve the delivery of Special Education services for all students with disabilities in New Jersey.

  5. Legislation: The SELC of New Jersey is opposed to any legislation that restricts the rights of students with disabilities and their parents/guardians in the special education process. We believe the state and federal governments should preserve and strengthen important protections for students and their families.

  6. Statewide Systemic Issues: Consistent with its mission, the SELC will identify systemic issues which hinder or prevent students with disabilities from receiving a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. Once identified, the SELC will develop and execute a plan to ensure the identified systemic issues are addressed on the local and state levels.

  7. Funding for Special Education: The SELC of New Jersey believes that the federal government should finally fully fund IDEA and supports any legislation or other efforts aimed at accomplishing this goal. We will actively engage in educational campaigns to inform the public at large about the true nature of special education costs and funding in an effort to dispel misinformation and circumvent attempts at “scapegoating” special education students and their families. The SELC supports the continuation of efforts by the state of NJ to promote a “thorough and efficient” education to all students including those with disabilities, as currently guaranteed by the State Constitution.

    Originated: 3/16/2005