$6M for education for students with special needs

2/3/94

The State Government will allocate $6 million in a three-year strategy to improve the education of students with special needs.

Education Minister Norman Moore said the strategy met 80 per cent of the recommendations of the landmark Report of the Taskforce on the Education of Students with Disabilities and Specific Learning Difficulties, chaired by Cerebral Palsy Association chief, Dr Ruth Shean.  The remainder required further consultation.

The strategy was in addition to $3.5 million for this year's six new education support facilities and the planned three new centres, for 1995, at Teranca Primary School, Merriwa Primary school and Ballajura High School.

Mr Moore today detailed action on the 61 individual recommendations of the taskforce, which reported last August, based on more than 1,000 submissions from teachers, parents, professionals and students.

The $6 million strategy would assist schools with the early identification of students with special needs, better involve parents, more closely track students' progress, and better monitor the effectiveness of programs.

"This comprehensive response demonstrates this Government's commitment to providing a quality education for all students, including those requiring special assistance," the Minister said.

"The strategy builds on the considerable professionalism and dedication of teachers and departmental staff working with these special children."

A key recommendation was that schools adopt a system of individual education plans widely used in other countries for students with special needs.

The Minister said the Education Department would examine adapting this system to WA so that it had a practical focus, co-ordinated a student's learning program, and allowed for collaboration with parents.  A supporting system of professional development would be provided for teachers who would use the individual plans.

Other recommendations to be implemented include:

·       the provision of professional development training to graduate teachers (particularly in country and remote areas) working with students with specific learning difficulties;

·       additional training for teachers in early identification, assessment and intervention;

·       the expansion of the Visiting Teacher Program for students with intellectual disabilities, to country and remote areas;

·       an audit of the department's support services to schools, to ensure future resources were directed to areas of greatest need;

·       joint research by the department and tertiary institutions to develop and evaluate programs for children experiencing difficulties with learning.

Media contact:  Ross Storey 321 1444/222 9595