Home›Questions on Notice›QoN 1220

❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks details on the evaluation, policies, programs, funding, and standards related to education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in WA, with a comparison to other states/countries. The answer outlines existing programs, funding models, and evaluation methods, but lacks comparative data.

AnsweredQoN 1220Legislative Assembly

Asked

12 March 2003

Member

Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan

Portfolio

Education and Training

QuestionView source ↗

(1) How is the effectiveness of education services at all levels evaluated in respect of deaf impaired school children?
(2) What specific policies and programs exist to ensure that the very best in education, education support, provision of aides and interpreting services for deaf impaired children at Government schools?
(3) Will the Minister provide extensive details of each such policy or program?
(4) What funding is provided by the State Government specifically to assist in the education of deaf impaired school children?
(5) How are deaf students in Western Australian State schools evaluated to attain the educational standards?
(6) How do these standards of achievement compare with comparable results in other States and overseas?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

3 June 2003

Responded by

Minister for Education and Training

Response time

83 days

(2) Services and programs for students who are Deaf or hard of hearing are underpinned by the Department of Education and Training legislative and policy initiatives such as the School Education Act 1999, the Enrolment Policy, Students at Educational Risk policy and Building Inclusive Schools, which promote early identification and intervention, inclusive schooling and ensure that the needs of each student are addressed. (3) The range of schools, facilities and services available through the Institute include: The Early Intervention Centre which provides playgroup and kindergarten programs for children aged three months of age to five years of age. The Bilingual Bicultural playgroup provides a sign language program on-site at WAIDE for children aged three months to three years of age. Cottesloe School for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Children is a Primary level school providing a specialist spoken language program. Mosman Park School for Deaf Children co-located on the same site as a mainstream school has a co-enrolment Auslan sign language focus. At secondary level, students are able to access support at Shenton College Deaf Education Centre (Spoken and Sign Language Programs); Belmont City College Units (Spoken and Sign Language Programs); John Forrest Senior High School Unit (Spoken Language Program); and Melville Senior High School Unit (Spoken Language Program). The Visiting Teacher of the Deaf Service provides statewide services to students and their families. WAIDE provides an educational audiological service for students from the age of diagnosis through to school leaving age. A full management program for children with cochlear implants. Psychological Services for students and their families. Sign Language Support. Sign Language Classes in AUSLAN for children, parents and community members. An on-site Teacher of the Deaf training program (4) Funding is provided according to Department guidelines. In addition to the recurrent contingency funding of $193,000 allocated to WAIDE, each school is staffed and resources according to each student’s needs. (5) Students are profiled to ensure that they receive an appropriate educational program. Teachers of the Deaf work with each student’s teacher to specifically monitor and evaluate the student’s communicative competencies. These achievements are reported at the end of each semester. (6) While no comparative data is available to compare the learning outcomes of Deaf and hard of hearing students, WAIDE has been recognised both within Australia and internationally for the extent and quality of service provided to Deaf and hard of hearing students in Western Australia. There has been an increase in the number of Deaf and hard of hearing students remaining at school until the end of Year 12, combined with an increasing number who are enrolling in tertiary and further education courses.

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