❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice seeks information regarding funding and support for students with disabilities in public schools, specifically those assessed at the highest level of disability, for the years 2014 and 2015. The response details funding amounts, education assistant hours, and student numbers.
AnsweredQoN 3312Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) How much additional funding did schools receive for a child with disabilities assessed at the highest level of disability in 2014? (2) How much additional funding do schools receive for a child with disabilities assessed at the highest level of disability in 2015? (3) For how many hours per week was an education assistant assigned to a child with disabilities assessed at the highest level of disability in each of 2014 and 2015? (4) How many children with disabilities attended public schools in Western Australia in 2014? (5) In relation to (4), how many of these children were assessed to be at the highest level of disability? (6) How many children with disabilities attended public schools in Western Australia in 2015? (7) In relation to (6), how many of those children were assessed to be at the highest level of funding?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 September 2015
Responded by
Minister for Education
Response time
36 days
(1) In 2014 the highest level of additional funding was $111,837. It is important to note that this allocation was based on 2014 notional salary rates for teachers and education assistants, which are not comparable with the rates for 2015 because elements included in the on costs were changed including staff leave, staff housing and workers compensation.
(2) In 2015 the highest level of additional funding is currently $100,838. While the highest rate of additional funding under the Student Centred Funding Model is $68,000, a very small number of students with disabilities whose needs are extremely complex, have had their previous level of funding maintained.
(3) In 2014, the Department of Education provided 32.5 hours of funding for an Education Assistant for a student with the highest level of disability. With the move to the Student-Centred Funding Model Individual Disability Allocation in 2015, support for students with disabilities is provided as a dollar amount through a one-line budget, rather than as Education Assistant hours. Under a one-line budget, schools have the discretion to allocate funds that best address their context and needs.
(4) 8,562 students as at 31 July 2014.
(5) 147 students.
(6) 9,194 students as at 31 July 2015.
(7) 119 students.
(2) In 2015 the highest level of additional funding is currently $100,838. While the highest rate of additional funding under the Student Centred Funding Model is $68,000, a very small number of students with disabilities whose needs are extremely complex, have had their previous level of funding maintained.
(3) In 2014, the Department of Education provided 32.5 hours of funding for an Education Assistant for a student with the highest level of disability. With the move to the Student-Centred Funding Model Individual Disability Allocation in 2015, support for students with disabilities is provided as a dollar amount through a one-line budget, rather than as Education Assistant hours. Under a one-line budget, schools have the discretion to allocate funds that best address their context and needs.
(4) 8,562 students as at 31 July 2014.
(5) 147 students.
(6) 9,194 students as at 31 July 2015.
(7) 119 students.
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