New developments in changes to special education

By

Gary Zadkovich

Trial in Illawarra and South East region postponed pending new consultation process.

Further negotiations have resulted in a change of direction in the implementation of a trial in the Illawarra and South East region of the proposed changes to the school learning support program.

Feedback to stakeholder groups from teachers, executives, principals and learning support officers indicated that more work needed to be done to develop proposals to improve the delivery of special education support to students in regular schools.

At a meeting on Monday November 30 involving senior officers from the Primary Principals' Association, Secondary Principals' Council, Public Service Association, NSW Teachers Federation, Department of Education and Training and the Minister's Office, a decision was made to postpone the trial. It was also agreed that DET and stakeholder groups would form a working party to engage in further consultation and develop proposals for change in this vital area of special education support.

Until this process is concluded, schools in the Illawarra and South East region will be staffed and supported on the same basis as other regions. DET has indicated it will continue to provide opportunities for professional learning related to the learning support program, including a 110-hour online course for support teachers.

On December 2 in Batemans Bay and December 4 in Wollongong, Federation and DET officers briefed special education teachers on the latest developments. More specific information will be provided to schools as soon as it is available.

Federation believes this change of direction is a positive development for all concerned. Postponement of the trial means teachers, executives, principals and learning support officers now will have expanded opportunities to provide input from the school level to the analysis of the current mode of delivery and the development of any proposals for change. Federation expects that a thorough process of consultation will occur across the Illawarra and South East region to ensure that any new model is shaped by the professional views, experiences, knowledge and expertise of those charged with the responsibility for delivering it.

Everyone involved should be more confident in trialing changes that have been comprehensively worked through in a consultation process at the school, regional and state levels. It is intended that the involvement of stakeholder groups will be expanded to include representatives from the NSW Federation of Parents and Citizens' Associations and the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group.

Federation welcomes the positive role Education Minister Verity Firth has played in this matter. Ms Firth and her staff have listened and responded positively to concerns and issues as they have arisen. They have impressed upon the stakeholder representatives that the government's aim is to improve support for students by implementing special education changes that have the broad support of parents, teachers, principals and allied staff.

While Federation has not relinquished its opposition to key aspects of the DET model that was proposed in May this year, the postponement of the trial, the establishment of a state-level working party, and the commitment to a more thorough and inclusive consultation process augur well for having them removed.

Gary Zadkovich is the Deputy President.

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December 2009 contents