❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses concerns about reduced aide time for a child with special needs transitioning from kindergarten to pre-primary, questioning potential discrimination and budgetary influences. The Minister denies budgetary influence, citing a multidisciplinary committee's assessment of student needs.
AnsweredQoN 420Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I have a constituent who has a four-year-old son who attended a kindergarten program in 2002 with the help of a 0.9 aide. For the child to continue his education, an aide of this level is required. The child’s parents have recently been informed that if the child attends a preprimary class in 2003, the aide time will be reduced to 0.6. The parents have also been informed that if the aide’s time is 0.6, the child will be able to attend school on only three out of five days during the preprimary year. (1) Can the minister clarify whether this is Department of Education policy; and if so, why? (2) Does the minister consider this to be discriminatory and unfair to a child with special needs? (3) Would this decision have been driven by budgetary considerations? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) According to the 2001 enrolment policy, all pre-compulsory school-age children, regardless of any degree or type of disability, are eligible for placement in regular mainstream pre-compulsory programs. Departmental policy is that the student’s needs are reviewed and reconsidered periodically throughout his schooling. (2) In line with the above requirements, the education assistant allocation for students with disabilities 2003 application package states - For students enrolling in kindergarten and pre-primary, allocations are made conditional upon full time attendance unless otherwise notified by relevant Education District personnel. All children enrolled on a full-time basis are therefore entitled to attend on a full-time basis. The allocation of the educational assistant time granted to schools is made by a multidisciplinary committee. Under its guidelines, the committee must consider the relative and differential needs of the student, the number and educational needs of students for whom the service is being provided in an individual setting, the need for and the priority to be given to this service within the overall pattern of service delivery within the State, and the quality of the existing service being provided or the nature of the program. The principal of the school may request a review of the educational assistant allocation at any time during the school year if the school considers that the recommended allocation may not meet the needs of the student. (3) No. The decision is based on a consideration as defined in part (2) of the question.
(1) Can the minister clarify whether this is Department of Education policy; and if so, why? (2) Does the minister consider this to be discriminatory and unfair to a child with special needs? (3) Would this decision have been driven by budgetary considerations? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) According to the 2001 enrolment policy, all pre-compulsory school-age children, regardless of any degree or type of disability, are eligible for placement in regular mainstream pre-compulsory programs. Departmental policy is that the student’s needs are reviewed and reconsidered periodically throughout his schooling. (2) In line with the above requirements, the education assistant allocation for students with disabilities 2003 application package states - For students enrolling in kindergarten and pre-primary, allocations are made conditional upon full time attendance unless otherwise notified by relevant Education District personnel. All children enrolled on a full-time basis are therefore entitled to attend on a full-time basis. The allocation of the educational assistant time granted to schools is made by a multidisciplinary committee. Under its guidelines, the committee must consider the relative and differential needs of the student, the number and educational needs of students for whom the service is being provided in an individual setting, the need for and the priority to be given to this service within the overall pattern of service delivery within the State, and the quality of the existing service being provided or the nature of the program. The principal of the school may request a review of the educational assistant allocation at any time during the school year if the school considers that the recommended allocation may not meet the needs of the student. (3) No. The decision is based on a consideration as defined in part (2) of the question.
(2) Does the minister consider this to be discriminatory and unfair to a child with special needs? (3) Would this decision have been driven by budgetary considerations? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) According to the 2001 enrolment policy, all pre-compulsory school-age children, regardless of any degree or type of disability, are eligible for placement in regular mainstream pre-compulsory programs. Departmental policy is that the student’s needs are reviewed and reconsidered periodically throughout his schooling. (2) In line with the above requirements, the education assistant allocation for students with disabilities 2003 application package states - For students enrolling in kindergarten and pre-primary, allocations are made conditional upon full time attendance unless otherwise notified by relevant Education District personnel. All children enrolled on a full-time basis are therefore entitled to attend on a full-time basis. The allocation of the educational assistant time granted to schools is made by a multidisciplinary committee. Under its guidelines, the committee must consider the relative and differential needs of the student, the number and educational needs of students for whom the service is being provided in an individual setting, the need for and the priority to be given to this service within the overall pattern of service delivery within the State, and the quality of the existing service being provided or the nature of the program. The principal of the school may request a review of the educational assistant allocation at any time during the school year if the school considers that the recommended allocation may not meet the needs of the student. (3) No. The decision is based on a consideration as defined in part (2) of the question.
(3) Would this decision have been driven by budgetary considerations? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) According to the 2001 enrolment policy, all pre-compulsory school-age children, regardless of any degree or type of disability, are eligible for placement in regular mainstream pre-compulsory programs. Departmental policy is that the student’s needs are reviewed and reconsidered periodically throughout his schooling. (2) In line with the above requirements, the education assistant allocation for students with disabilities 2003 application package states - For students enrolling in kindergarten and pre-primary, allocations are made conditional upon full time attendance unless otherwise notified by relevant Education District personnel. All children enrolled on a full-time basis are therefore entitled to attend on a full-time basis. The allocation of the educational assistant time granted to schools is made by a multidisciplinary committee. Under its guidelines, the committee must consider the relative and differential needs of the student, the number and educational needs of students for whom the service is being provided in an individual setting, the need for and the priority to be given to this service within the overall pattern of service delivery within the State, and the quality of the existing service being provided or the nature of the program. The principal of the school may request a review of the educational assistant allocation at any time during the school year if the school considers that the recommended allocation may not meet the needs of the student. (3) No. The decision is based on a consideration as defined in part (2) of the question.
Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) According to the 2001 enrolment policy, all pre-compulsory school-age children, regardless of any degree or type of disability, are eligible for placement in regular mainstream pre-compulsory programs. Departmental policy is that the student’s needs are reviewed and reconsidered periodically throughout his schooling. (2) In line with the above requirements, the education assistant allocation for students with disabilities 2003 application package states - For students enrolling in kindergarten and pre-primary, allocations are made conditional upon full time attendance unless otherwise notified by relevant Education District personnel. All children enrolled on a full-time basis are therefore entitled to attend on a full-time basis. The allocation of the educational assistant time granted to schools is made by a multidisciplinary committee. Under its guidelines, the committee must consider the relative and differential needs of the student, the number and educational needs of students for whom the service is being provided in an individual setting, the need for and the priority to be given to this service within the overall pattern of service delivery within the State, and the quality of the existing service being provided or the nature of the program. The principal of the school may request a review of the educational assistant allocation at any time during the school year if the school considers that the recommended allocation may not meet the needs of the student. (3) No. The decision is based on a consideration as defined in part (2) of the question.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) According to the 2001 enrolment policy, all pre-compulsory school-age children, regardless of any degree or type of disability, are eligible for placement in regular mainstream pre-compulsory programs. Departmental policy is that the student’s needs are reviewed and reconsidered periodically throughout his schooling. (2) In line with the above requirements, the education assistant allocation for students with disabilities 2003 application package states - For students enrolling in kindergarten and pre-primary, allocations are made conditional upon full time attendance unless otherwise notified by relevant Education District personnel. All children enrolled on a full-time basis are therefore entitled to attend on a full-time basis. The allocation of the educational assistant time granted to schools is made by a multidisciplinary committee. Under its guidelines, the committee must consider the relative and differential needs of the student, the number and educational needs of students for whom the service is being provided in an individual setting, the need for and the priority to be given to this service within the overall pattern of service delivery within the State, and the quality of the existing service being provided or the nature of the program. The principal of the school may request a review of the educational assistant allocation at any time during the school year if the school considers that the recommended allocation may not meet the needs of the student. (3) No. The decision is based on a consideration as defined in part (2) of the question.
(1) According to the 2001 enrolment policy, all pre-compulsory school-age children, regardless of any degree or type of disability, are eligible for placement in regular mainstream pre-compulsory programs. Departmental policy is that the student’s needs are reviewed and reconsidered periodically throughout his schooling. (2) In line with the above requirements, the education assistant allocation for students with disabilities 2003 application package states - For students enrolling in kindergarten and pre-primary, allocations are made conditional upon full time attendance unless otherwise notified by relevant Education District personnel. All children enrolled on a full-time basis are therefore entitled to attend on a full-time basis. The allocation of the educational assistant time granted to schools is made by a multidisciplinary committee. Under its guidelines, the committee must consider the relative and differential needs of the student, the number and educational needs of students for whom the service is being provided in an individual setting, the need for and the priority to be given to this service within the overall pattern of service delivery within the State, and the quality of the existing service being provided or the nature of the program. The principal of the school may request a review of the educational assistant allocation at any time during the school year if the school considers that the recommended allocation may not meet the needs of the student. (3) No. The decision is based on a consideration as defined in part (2) of the question.
(2) In line with the above requirements, the education assistant allocation for students with disabilities 2003 application package states - For students enrolling in kindergarten and pre-primary, allocations are made conditional upon full time attendance unless otherwise notified by relevant Education District personnel. All children enrolled on a full-time basis are therefore entitled to attend on a full-time basis. The allocation of the educational assistant time granted to schools is made by a multidisciplinary committee. Under its guidelines, the committee must consider the relative and differential needs of the student, the number and educational needs of students for whom the service is being provided in an individual setting, the need for and the priority to be given to this service within the overall pattern of service delivery within the State, and the quality of the existing service being provided or the nature of the program. The principal of the school may request a review of the educational assistant allocation at any time during the school year if the school considers that the recommended allocation may not meet the needs of the student. (3) No. The decision is based on a consideration as defined in part (2) of the question.
(1) Can the minister clarify whether this is Department of Education policy; and if so, why? (2) Does the minister consider this to be discriminatory and unfair to a child with special needs? (3) Would this decision have been driven by budgetary considerations? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) According to the 2001 enrolment policy, all pre-compulsory school-age children, regardless of any degree or type of disability, are eligible for placement in regular mainstream pre-compulsory programs. Departmental policy is that the student’s needs are reviewed and reconsidered periodically throughout his schooling. (2) In line with the above requirements, the education assistant allocation for students with disabilities 2003 application package states - For students enrolling in kindergarten and pre-primary, allocations are made conditional upon full time attendance unless otherwise notified by relevant Education District personnel. All children enrolled on a full-time basis are therefore entitled to attend on a full-time basis. The allocation of the educational assistant time granted to schools is made by a multidisciplinary committee. Under its guidelines, the committee must consider the relative and differential needs of the student, the number and educational needs of students for whom the service is being provided in an individual setting, the need for and the priority to be given to this service within the overall pattern of service delivery within the State, and the quality of the existing service being provided or the nature of the program. The principal of the school may request a review of the educational assistant allocation at any time during the school year if the school considers that the recommended allocation may not meet the needs of the student. (3) No. The decision is based on a consideration as defined in part (2) of the question.
(2) Does the minister consider this to be discriminatory and unfair to a child with special needs? (3) Would this decision have been driven by budgetary considerations? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) According to the 2001 enrolment policy, all pre-compulsory school-age children, regardless of any degree or type of disability, are eligible for placement in regular mainstream pre-compulsory programs. Departmental policy is that the student’s needs are reviewed and reconsidered periodically throughout his schooling. (2) In line with the above requirements, the education assistant allocation for students with disabilities 2003 application package states - For students enrolling in kindergarten and pre-primary, allocations are made conditional upon full time attendance unless otherwise notified by relevant Education District personnel. All children enrolled on a full-time basis are therefore entitled to attend on a full-time basis. The allocation of the educational assistant time granted to schools is made by a multidisciplinary committee. Under its guidelines, the committee must consider the relative and differential needs of the student, the number and educational needs of students for whom the service is being provided in an individual setting, the need for and the priority to be given to this service within the overall pattern of service delivery within the State, and the quality of the existing service being provided or the nature of the program. The principal of the school may request a review of the educational assistant allocation at any time during the school year if the school considers that the recommended allocation may not meet the needs of the student. (3) No. The decision is based on a consideration as defined in part (2) of the question.
(3) Would this decision have been driven by budgetary considerations? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) According to the 2001 enrolment policy, all pre-compulsory school-age children, regardless of any degree or type of disability, are eligible for placement in regular mainstream pre-compulsory programs. Departmental policy is that the student’s needs are reviewed and reconsidered periodically throughout his schooling. (2) In line with the above requirements, the education assistant allocation for students with disabilities 2003 application package states - For students enrolling in kindergarten and pre-primary, allocations are made conditional upon full time attendance unless otherwise notified by relevant Education District personnel. All children enrolled on a full-time basis are therefore entitled to attend on a full-time basis. The allocation of the educational assistant time granted to schools is made by a multidisciplinary committee. Under its guidelines, the committee must consider the relative and differential needs of the student, the number and educational needs of students for whom the service is being provided in an individual setting, the need for and the priority to be given to this service within the overall pattern of service delivery within the State, and the quality of the existing service being provided or the nature of the program. The principal of the school may request a review of the educational assistant allocation at any time during the school year if the school considers that the recommended allocation may not meet the needs of the student. (3) No. The decision is based on a consideration as defined in part (2) of the question.
Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) According to the 2001 enrolment policy, all pre-compulsory school-age children, regardless of any degree or type of disability, are eligible for placement in regular mainstream pre-compulsory programs. Departmental policy is that the student’s needs are reviewed and reconsidered periodically throughout his schooling. (2) In line with the above requirements, the education assistant allocation for students with disabilities 2003 application package states - For students enrolling in kindergarten and pre-primary, allocations are made conditional upon full time attendance unless otherwise notified by relevant Education District personnel. All children enrolled on a full-time basis are therefore entitled to attend on a full-time basis. The allocation of the educational assistant time granted to schools is made by a multidisciplinary committee. Under its guidelines, the committee must consider the relative and differential needs of the student, the number and educational needs of students for whom the service is being provided in an individual setting, the need for and the priority to be given to this service within the overall pattern of service delivery within the State, and the quality of the existing service being provided or the nature of the program. The principal of the school may request a review of the educational assistant allocation at any time during the school year if the school considers that the recommended allocation may not meet the needs of the student. (3) No. The decision is based on a consideration as defined in part (2) of the question.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) According to the 2001 enrolment policy, all pre-compulsory school-age children, regardless of any degree or type of disability, are eligible for placement in regular mainstream pre-compulsory programs. Departmental policy is that the student’s needs are reviewed and reconsidered periodically throughout his schooling. (2) In line with the above requirements, the education assistant allocation for students with disabilities 2003 application package states - For students enrolling in kindergarten and pre-primary, allocations are made conditional upon full time attendance unless otherwise notified by relevant Education District personnel. All children enrolled on a full-time basis are therefore entitled to attend on a full-time basis. The allocation of the educational assistant time granted to schools is made by a multidisciplinary committee. Under its guidelines, the committee must consider the relative and differential needs of the student, the number and educational needs of students for whom the service is being provided in an individual setting, the need for and the priority to be given to this service within the overall pattern of service delivery within the State, and the quality of the existing service being provided or the nature of the program. The principal of the school may request a review of the educational assistant allocation at any time during the school year if the school considers that the recommended allocation may not meet the needs of the student. (3) No. The decision is based on a consideration as defined in part (2) of the question.
(1) According to the 2001 enrolment policy, all pre-compulsory school-age children, regardless of any degree or type of disability, are eligible for placement in regular mainstream pre-compulsory programs. Departmental policy is that the student’s needs are reviewed and reconsidered periodically throughout his schooling. (2) In line with the above requirements, the education assistant allocation for students with disabilities 2003 application package states - For students enrolling in kindergarten and pre-primary, allocations are made conditional upon full time attendance unless otherwise notified by relevant Education District personnel. All children enrolled on a full-time basis are therefore entitled to attend on a full-time basis. The allocation of the educational assistant time granted to schools is made by a multidisciplinary committee. Under its guidelines, the committee must consider the relative and differential needs of the student, the number and educational needs of students for whom the service is being provided in an individual setting, the need for and the priority to be given to this service within the overall pattern of service delivery within the State, and the quality of the existing service being provided or the nature of the program. The principal of the school may request a review of the educational assistant allocation at any time during the school year if the school considers that the recommended allocation may not meet the needs of the student. (3) No. The decision is based on a consideration as defined in part (2) of the question.
(2) In line with the above requirements, the education assistant allocation for students with disabilities 2003 application package states - For students enrolling in kindergarten and pre-primary, allocations are made conditional upon full time attendance unless otherwise notified by relevant Education District personnel. All children enrolled on a full-time basis are therefore entitled to attend on a full-time basis. The allocation of the educational assistant time granted to schools is made by a multidisciplinary committee. Under its guidelines, the committee must consider the relative and differential needs of the student, the number and educational needs of students for whom the service is being provided in an individual setting, the need for and the priority to be given to this service within the overall pattern of service delivery within the State, and the quality of the existing service being provided or the nature of the program. The principal of the school may request a review of the educational assistant allocation at any time during the school year if the school considers that the recommended allocation may not meet the needs of the student. (3) No. The decision is based on a consideration as defined in part (2) of the question.
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