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(Article by QPEC National Chairperson John Minto published in Christchurch Press 16 July 2007)
Six-year-old Renee will not be going to school today when children return to the classroom after their two-week holiday.
Despite the best efforts of her mother and despite her right to enrol in a state school under Section 8 of the 1989 Education Act her mother has withdrawn her from her local primary school because Renee's chance of success at school has been stymied by government policy.
Renee has Down's Syndrome and the resources are just not there for her to become a successful learner in a mainstream school classroom.
She is in the 1% of children funded through ORRS (Ongoing and Reviewable Resourcing Scheme). This means she is able to access the highest level of funding for children with special education needs through the Ministry of Education.
The funding has enabled a teacher aide to be employed to help her in her mainstream classroom for part of each day and generally this has been successful. Her school reports she gets on well in the class and is making progress in developing friendships. However without the close support of her teacher aide her interactions with other children can be, in the polite language of teachers, “inappropriate”. In other words she can be a pain in the bum for a teacher with 30 odd other children in the classroom.
The teacher, school, Renee and her mum all feel stressed, not to mention the other kids in the class.
Renee's mother was called to a meeting at the school last term to discuss how Renee could be better supported in the classroom. Mum felt this might be a turning point but the meeting turned to custard. The school felt it was unable to divert extra funds from its operations grant for Renee and neither could the Ministry provide extra funding. And so three suggestions were made. Firstly could mum top up Renee's funding herself each week to increase the teacher aide hours? Secondly could she come into the school herself and sit with her daughter in the classroom when the teacher aide wasn't there? Thirdly could she take Renee home sometimes and do work with her by correspondence?
Is it any wonder that under pressures like this the relationship between family and school began to break down? Renee's mother is not in a position to take on any of the three options but why should she in any case? Is this what our education system has come to?
Yes is the simple answer. It is now common for schools to ask parents of children with special needs to top up teacher aide funding and many now pay $100—$200 per week or more to do so. Other parents are asked to take their special needs children home at lunchtimes because the school can't fund the support the child needs.
Despite all this the Sunday Star Times newspaper obtained papers earlier in the year showing government officials hope to save more than $23 million in special needs funding between 2006 and 2010. The papers indicated the money would be saved by “underspending” on children with ORRS funding. Children like Renee.
The National Party quite rightly described it as “picking on the most vulnerable children in society to slash funding”.
The trend began years ago. Figures revealed in November 2006 showed government funding for special education services decreased by 3.49% from 2001 to 2006.
The simple truth is the government would rather sneakily increase its budget surplus than provide the money for all children to become effective learners.
The government will say that cases like Renee are rare, that for most kids the system works well and the government is putting a pile of money into the sector in any case. But this is just political spin. There are thousands of similar stories around the country but because parents of children with special needs are in a minority in every school their struggles are often overlooked.
Meanwhile the government blunders on with funding that is not only inadequate but also misdirected. For example a good portion of the money for special needs goes to schools without any such children. These are the schools, for example, that discourage enrolment of kids with special needs because they don't fit the “market image” the school want to project to parents. But these schools will still get the same Special Education Grant funding as the school down the road that welcomes these kids but has to stretch a small amount of funding over a large number of students.
Meanwhile Renee's mum is looking for another school and has already been warned off one or two by the Ministry because they don't welcome kids with special needs.
The struggle will continue so long as Ministers of Education feel they can evade the issue. Perhaps if Renee spent a day in the Minister's office under his supervision he might be more responsive.
The article can downloaded here Special_needs_-_13_July_2007.doc (26,112 bytes) [HTML Version]
We were very pleased with the quality of the input from parents, teachers and Ministry officials. The seminar was able to clearly identify the problems and make some confident recommendations to improve the experiences of children, parents and schools.
We would like to thank the parent groups, individual parents and schools that took part. This included: The Auckland Down Syndrome Association, Children's Autism Foundation, Special Needs Action group, Dyslexia Support Group, NZEI, PPTA, Special school and “mainstream” school principals, Health and Disability Advocacy Services and IHC.
We would also like to thank Barbara Disley and Gordon Attwood from Group Special Education for their contributions and their presence for much of the day.
The recommendations do not necessarily reflect the policies of individual groups but emerged very clearly from the mix of issues, people and organisations on the day.
The specific problems identified are here SE_Seminar_2007_-_Specific_points_from_parents_and_teachers.doc (28,672 bytes) [HTML Version]
A sobering overview of special education in New Zealand in 2007 is here SE_Seminar_2007_-_Overview.doc (20,480 bytes) [HTML Version]
The major issues and recommendations are here SE_Seminar_2007_-__Issues_and_recommendations.doc (27,648 bytes) [HTML Version]
QPEC will be advocating changes to special educationbased around these policies. We welcome your feedback.
7 February 2007
Introduction:
It is two years since the government conducted its nationwide review of provision of special education services across the country. 16 regional reports were produced with an overriding national report. The “stock-take” of services revealed some improvements which could be implemented within each local region as well as helping give an overall national direction to special education policy.
Since then there has been little sign of any significant change in levels of provision and the policy based around the Ministry's very narrow interpretation of the term “inclusion” continues to generate problems for parents and schools.
At the same time there has been a decrease in actual government expenditure on the provision of special education services. From 2001 to 2006 spending on special education services actually dropped by 3.49%!
Seminar:
The one-day seminar will be held in Auckland on Tuesday 3rd April at St Columba Centre, Vermont Street, Ponsonby, Auckland (this is the last Tuesday of the first school term). The seminar invites key people from parent groups, teacher organisations and national advocacy groups to have input along these lines – 1. Are the current policies meeting the needs of children, parents and schools? 2. What changes in policy are needed to meet any needs identified in 1 and 2 above? and 3. What changes in resourcing are needed to meet any needs identified in 1 and 2 above?
Draft Agenda (will be amended depending on numbers wanting to have input in each section)
9.30am MORNING TEA 10.00am Welcome and Introductions from Chair
10.05am Session 1: Identifying the problems: Reps from Parent and Teacher groups (10 mins each) followed by questions/discussion (Participants based on responses from groups) 11.50am Summary of main points from recorder for Session 1
12.00noon LUNCH
12.30pm Session 2: Advocacy groups: Invitations to Group Special Education reps and organisations running government services (IDEA, CCS, etc) 1.30pm Summary of main points from recorder for Session 2
1.40pm Sessions 3: Proposing solutions: All groups invited to present 5mins on policy and/or resourcing changes they think important in moving ahead.
3.00pm AFTERNOON TEA
3.15pm Summary of main points from Session 3 presented and discussed
3.30pm END
ALL PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS AND ANYONE WITH AN INTEREST IN SPECIAL EDUCATION IS WELCOME TO ATTEND.
Followup:
This will depend on the feedback received at the seminar. There may be diverse viewpoints about problems and solutions in special education. Each group will inevitably have their own points to put forward in their own right and that will be respected. QPEC will endeavour to work to follow up on common concerns from the perspectives of parents and students.
Feedback:
We welcome your feedback on our draft agenda and we'd love to hear from you if you would like to take part. Please send feedback and expressions of interest to QPEC National Secretary Linda Williams
This notice can be downloaded and circulated from here SE_seminar_2007_-_notice_-_7_February_2007.doc (41,984 bytes) [HTML Version]
Published in Christchurch Press 23 January 2006
There is a long standing tradition of government agencies announcing unpopular policies or releasing controversial reports in the lead up to Christmas. The idea is to minimise public scrutiny during the festive season.
Late last year two reports from the Education Review Office concerning special education were dumped into the Christmas rush and sank without trace in the mainstream media – not even a ripple. The reports are dated June 2005 – the government held them back 6 months to get the right time to release them.
The reports focus on how schools are using their special education resources – in particular their ORRS (On going and Reviewable Resourcing Scheme) funding – for children with high and very high needs and their SEG (Special Education Grant) funding – for children with moderate to high needs.
ERO found that while many schools are using their special education resources well 27% of schools had significant weaknesses in managing their ORRS funds while for SEG there was variable performance and a wide range of problems identified.
The reports point to serious problems with special education across a wide range of schools and it's easy and apparently logical for education officials to blame schools and teachers for these problems as ERO does.
The full release can be read here Special_Needs_-_20_January_2006.doc (34,304 bytes) [HTML Version]
Media Release—29 August 2005
QPEC is hopeful that the Labour Party special education policy—shortly to be announced -will contain some major policy changes to improve special education services for New Zealand children.
Earlier this month Labour declined to respond to the special education questions in our QPEC election questionnaire – see www.qpec.org.nz —saying this was awaiting a policy announcement.
However more money thrown at the existing structure will have only a minimal effect unless there are changes in the funding mechanisms themselves.
QPEC is continuing to advocate for key policy changes which have been sought by parents and which would make a significant difference for children with special education needs.
These changes are –
(1) Increase in the Ongoing and Reviewable Resourcing Scheme (ORRS) funding from 1% of the school age population to 2% as originally envisaged in the Special Education 2000 policy
(2) Pay the Special Education Grant (SEG) to schools on the basis of the actual number of children with moderate to high special education needs enrolled. (At the moment a school with 20 such children gets the same funding as a school with 2 such children!)
(3) Central provision of staffing for special education units within schools so they can remain a viable choice for parents of children with special education needs
The full release can be read here MR_on_Labour_policy_-_29_August_2005.doc (38,400 bytes) [HTML Version]
Media Release 14 April
Today's announcement by the Associate Minister of Education David Benson-Pope of an increase of $30.7 million in government funding for special education is welcome but is still deeply disappointing in terms of the quantum needed for children with special education needs to become effective learners in the classroom.
This money is to be spread over 4 years and amounts to an overall increase of less than 2% per year in special education funding over this time.
Equally disappointing is that there is no plan to change the funding mechanisms which are at the heart of the problems with special education.
The full release can be read here GIAAE_-_MR_-_Final_Report_-_14_April_2005.doc (49,664 bytes) [HTML Version]
Media Release 3 April 2005
After being told the nationwide district reports – 16 in all – on special education services were expected to be released in February we are now in April and still waiting.
The reports have been with the Associate Minister of Education David Benson-Pope since January.
These reports are vital to future policy development of special education services. They have been prepared as a result of the out of court settlement of the Daniels case. That settlement came after 4 years of protracted legal proceedings taken by 14 parents which argued that the government was not meeting its legal obligations to children with special education needs.
The full release can be read here GIAAE_-_MR_re_reports_delay_-_3_April_2005.doc (46,080 bytes) [HTML Version]
6 March 2005
We were told by the Minister's office last week that the special education reports (see below) are “part of a budget process” and will not be released till later in March. Keep watching and waiting...
25 January 2005
Group Special Education staff have informed us that the nationwide district reports on special education services are now completed and the national report which is to follow is near completion. We are told that they will be sent to the Minister of Education David Benson-Pope by the end of January and that he will most likely release them in February.
These reports are critical because the out of court settlement of the Daniels case required—
“Comprehensive district reports to be produced including parent perspectives of the adequacy and appropriateness of local resourcing; identification of gaps between resourcing and the needs of students; any recommendations for any changes needed in funding mechanisms and any recommendations concerning the need to have or maintain special educational units in that locality”
Parents and schools have had input into the consultation process that produced these reports and we have high expectations that these reports will very specifically address the chronic resourcing and targeting issues which have bedevilled special education since the implementation of Special Education 2000.
Because these reports will specifically identify the gaps between resourcing and the needs of students we have written to the Minister of Education asking for an assurance that these reports will be acted on when decisions are made concerning the 2005 budget.
We will report fully as soon as further developments come to hand
(Media Release 19 October 2004)
Attached with this media release is a copy of the report of a nationwide survey undertaken by QPEC on special education resourcing in New Zealand schools. It was undertaken because of the urgent need for a quantum measure of the gaps in special education resourcing which are preventing so many children with special education needs from becoming effective learners.
The survey results give a dramatic, crystal clear snapshot of the positives and negatives faced by schools as well as giving specific, quantitative feedback on the gaps in resourcing.
This media release with key survey findings can be read here GIAAE_-_School_Survey_results_-_MR_-_19_October_2004.doc (55,808 bytes) [HTML Version]
The full QPEC Survey report can be read here GIAAE_-_School_Survey_results_-_18_October_2004.doc (80,384 bytes) [HTML Version]
(Media Release 18 October 2004)
Report to be Released Tomorrow on Nationwide Survey of Special Education Needs Funding
On Tuesday morning the Quality Public Education Coalition will release the results of a nationwide survey of special education resourcing in New Zealand schools. The QPEC survey results contain quantitative data of the resourcing needed to “close the gaps” between government funding and student need. This major project was undertaken over the past 3 months by QPEC National Secretary and Special Education Co-ordinator Linda Williams. It was undertaken because of the urgent need for a quantum measure of the gaps in special education resourcing which are preventing so many children with special education needs from becoming effective learners.
The full release can be read hereGIAAE_-_School_Survey_results_-_MR_-_18_October_2004.doc (49,664 bytes) [HTML Version]
A new organisation called “16+Respite” has been launched in Auckland to lobby the Ministry of Health to fund out-of home, overnight respite facilities within greater Auckland for disabled adults over the age of 16 years, with the first facility ready for use by December, 2005.
More information on the new group and its contact details are here16+Respite_-_forum_-_October_2004.doc (261,632 bytes) [HTML Version]
Details of a forum being run by 16+Respite on Wednesday 10 November in Auckland are here 16+Respite_-_October_2004.doc (25,600 bytes) [HTML Version]
Media Release 9 August
Parents have the opportunity to have input into a national consultation about special education resourcing and policy in all 16 special education districts around New Zealand over the next 12 weeks.
The consultation meetings begin in Wellington this week.
There is huge scepticism around the proposed meetings because parents have been deceived in the past with rounds of consultations and endless meetings which did not result in significant policy change in special education.
Schools likewise are very sceptical and wary of yet again presenting their concerns to no significant effect.
We understand the scepticism as we have seen parent goodwill burned up time and again since the introduction in 1998 of Special Education 2000 – the new policy for children with special education needs. Despite the anguished outcries at that time many of the problems identified then by schools and parents remain unchanged.
However we are urging parents to give it one more shot as there is a specific outcome requirement which should result in significant policy changes.
“Comprehensive district reports to be produced including parent perspectives of the adequacy and appropriateness of local resourcing; identification of gaps between resourcing and the needs of students; any recommendations for any changes needed in funding mechanisms and any recommendations concerning the need to have or maintain special educational units in that locality”
This wording comes from the out of court settlement reached in the Daniels case which involved 14 parents – co-ordinated and supported by QPEC – taking a legal case against the crown for breach of its legal obligations to children with special education needs.
The full Daniels agreement can be read here DEED_OF_SETTLEMENT_-_22_August_2003.doc (29,696 bytes) [HTML Version]
We are publishing the full range of meetings here on our website as they come to hand. So far we have details of the meetings in 5 districts—See the next green heading following...
You can read this full media release here GIAAE_-_MR_at_start_-_9_August_2004.doc (39,424 bytes) [HTML Version]
Parents can read and complete the Ministry consultation form here GIAAE_-_SE_Material_-_19_August_2004.doc (32,768 bytes) [HTML Version]
Northland GIAAE_-_Meetings_-_Northern_Region.doc (25,088 bytes) [HTML Version]
Auckland GIAAE_-_Meetings_-_Auckland.xls
North-West Auckland GIAAE_-_Meetings_-_North-West_Auckland.doc (27,136 bytes) [HTML Version]
Manukau GIAAE_-_Meetings_-_Manukau.doc (30,208 bytes) [HTML Version]
Waikato GIAAE_-_Meetings_-_Waikato.doc (22,528 bytes) [HTML Version]
Gisborne GIAAE_-_Meetings_-_Gisborne.doc (43,520 bytes) [HTML Version]
Hawkes Bay GIAAE_-_Meetings_-_Hawkes_Bay.doc (23,040 bytes) [HTML Version]
Bay of Plenty GIAAE_-_Meetings_-_Bay_of_Plenty.doc (23,040 bytes) [HTML Version]
Taranaki GIAAE_-_Meetings_-_Taranaki.doc (26,112 bytes) [HTML Version]
Central Region GIAAE_-_Meetings_-_Central_North_Island.doc (23,040 bytes) [HTML Version]
Greater Wellington GIAAE_-_Meetings_-_Greater_Wellington.doc (28,160 bytes) [HTML Version]
Nelson & West Coast GIAAE_-_Meetings_-_Nelson_&_West_Coast.doc (25,600 bytes) [HTML Version]
Canterbury GIAAE_-_Meetings_-_Canterbury.doc (19,456 bytes) [HTML Version]
Otago GIAAE_-_Meetings_-_Otago.doc (22,016 bytes) [HTML Version]
Southland GIAAE_-_Meetings_-_Southland.doc (35,328 bytes) [HTML Version]
If you have questions about any of the meetings you can get directly in touch with Group Special Education staff at their district office. A list of the district offices and their contact details are here— GSE_District_Office_Contacts_-_August_2004.doc (29,184 bytes) [HTML Version]
(27 July 2004)
A group of parents have begun a petition to support existing special education units and requesting the government act to protect them as a viable option for parents into the future. You can obtain a copy of the petition here Petition_re_units_-_Update_-_August_2004.doc (30,720 bytes) [HTML Version]
Please note the deadline for signatures has been extended till the end of September.
QPEC strongly supports this petition. There is still plenty of time to get
signatures in so please help to spread the word.