❓ Details funding sources for disability support in Kimberley schools, plans for ongoing support after a project ends, and provides data on diagnosed students. The response outlines continued support mechanisms and training programs for teachers.
AnsweredQoN 5979Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the answer to Question on Notice No. 5644, and I ask: (a) of the funding amounts mentioned by the Minister, please list the amounts of funding contributed from the State Government, and from the Federal Government; (b) when the project ceases to operate, how will schools in the Kimberley be supported through the student disability diagnosis process; (c) who will provide the ongoing support and training to new special needs teachers and staff in the Kimberley; and (d) how many students were listed as being diagnosed with a disability in the Kimberley in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 November 2016
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Education
Response time
27 days
a. Of the funding mentioned in the response to Question on Notice No. 5644, the $86,000 for the Kimberley Disability Coordination Team (KDCT) project was provided by the Commonwealth Government; and the $291,515,767 for 2015 and $311,389,788 for 2016 are State funds for the disability allocation to schools.
b. Support with the diagnosis process for schools in the Kimberley will be stronger by the time the KDCT project concludes. From the commencement of 2017, a new specialist team of school psychologists will be working with public schools across the State to identify students with disability and support the assessment and diagnosis process. The function of the KDCT was to provide assistance for schools to meet the teaching and learning needs of students with disability, so the cessation of the project will have no impact on the diagnosis process.
c. Teachers of students with special needs in the Kimberley will continue to be supported through the Schools of Special Educational Needs, the School Psychology Service, and the Special Education Needs Teacher Development Schools. These services are available to all Kimberley teachers and provide expert support and advice through teacher consultants, psychologists and practising classroom teachers.
Kimberley teachers will also have continuing access to the Online Learning Australia training program (OLT), a 10-week, disability-specific, tutor-led, online learning program targeting classroom practice, personalised learning and support planning, and whole-school management.
OLT courses enable staff to immediately engage in evidence-based practice to support quality teaching for students with disability, as well as the design of appropriate teaching and learning adjustments in order to meet the requirements within the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and Disability Standards for Education 2005 . Courses are offered in:
- Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders;
- Understanding Dyslexia and Significant Difficulties in Reading;
- Understanding and Supporting Behaviour; and
- Understanding Personalised Learning and Support.
d. The number of eligible students funded through the Schools Plus Program 2012–2014 and the Individual Disability Allocation 2015–2016 (student numbers as at 31 March each year) are as follows:
Year
Students
2012
122
2013
125
2014
133
2015
140
2016
141
b. Support with the diagnosis process for schools in the Kimberley will be stronger by the time the KDCT project concludes. From the commencement of 2017, a new specialist team of school psychologists will be working with public schools across the State to identify students with disability and support the assessment and diagnosis process. The function of the KDCT was to provide assistance for schools to meet the teaching and learning needs of students with disability, so the cessation of the project will have no impact on the diagnosis process.
c. Teachers of students with special needs in the Kimberley will continue to be supported through the Schools of Special Educational Needs, the School Psychology Service, and the Special Education Needs Teacher Development Schools. These services are available to all Kimberley teachers and provide expert support and advice through teacher consultants, psychologists and practising classroom teachers.
Kimberley teachers will also have continuing access to the Online Learning Australia training program (OLT), a 10-week, disability-specific, tutor-led, online learning program targeting classroom practice, personalised learning and support planning, and whole-school management.
OLT courses enable staff to immediately engage in evidence-based practice to support quality teaching for students with disability, as well as the design of appropriate teaching and learning adjustments in order to meet the requirements within the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and Disability Standards for Education 2005 . Courses are offered in:
- Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders;
- Understanding Dyslexia and Significant Difficulties in Reading;
- Understanding and Supporting Behaviour; and
- Understanding Personalised Learning and Support.
d. The number of eligible students funded through the Schools Plus Program 2012–2014 and the Individual Disability Allocation 2015–2016 (student numbers as at 31 March each year) are as follows:
Year
Students
2012
122
2013
125
2014
133
2015
140
2016
141
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