The J. A. v. NJ Dept. of Ed Consent Order – What This Victory for Special Ed Students Means to Your Practice
Date: Sep 29, 2025 12:00 p.m. – 1:40 p.m.
Location: Online
Member Price: $99.00
Non-Member Price: $125.00
Section Price: $0.00
Areas of Law: School
Earn up to 2 credits! (More Information)
Keynote
Moderator
Presenters
- Robert C. Thurston, Esq.
- Thurston Law Offices LLC, Marlton
Join NJICLE for a first-hand account of how the August consent order in J.A. et al vs New Jersey Department of Education marked a sea change in special education law in New Jersey.
Attorney Robert Thurston filed suit on behalf three parents who alleged their children’s schools violated federal law and procedure in not providing them with the educational opportunities the law requires. After a lengthy court battle, he obtained a consent order that will lead to better educational opportunities for all New Jersey special education students.
The key elements of the settlement and the judge’s consent order include:
- The “stay put” rule – which says students must be left in their current special education program or placement until a family’s dispute with a school is resolved – must be treated like a court order.
- State administrative law judges and mediators, who handle disputes between schools and students’ families, must adhere more closely to the rules that protect the rights of parents and kids with disabilities. That includes rules about pre-hearing conferences, mediation, access to student records and a 45-day time limit for most cases to be resolved.
- All mediators and administrative law judges must receive proper training and education on federal laws and regulations before handling special education cases.
- Families who believe their rights are being violated can file a form through the state Department of Education or on the settlement website.
Hear from Thurston as he provides a first-hand account of the case, analyzes the consent order and provides perspective on what to expect going forward.
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