Review of Special Education 2010:
What are the key points?
The Government’s review of special education is framed within the context of Treasury’s value-for-money framework and the National-ACT Confidence and Supply Agreement relating to school choice. It is important to remember that this is a government led review delivered through the Ministry of Education.Value for money is a ‘cost cutting’ whole of government model which was rolled out by Treasury. The emphasis on this model is placed in the reporting of ‘outcomes’. Under this model services and/or processes are disestablished and the resources shifted to what is deemed to be successful and can be reported as producing outcomes. See below for more information on value for money .
The first part of the review has been released as a discussion document which invites submitters to identify options for improvement but on the assumption of no new money.
NZEI Te Riu Roa Special Education Policy will form the basis of NZEI’s response to the discussion document.
NZEI Special Education Policy (0.3mb pdf)Four key points from NZEI’s policy are:
- All students have unique needs and are to be treated as individuals.
- Learning for students with special education needs means placing students at the centre, respecting and responding to their learning needs. Ensuring needs are met is a collective responsibility.
- The provision of special education should be needs-based and not contestable.
- The ongoing maintenance of a range of learning environments within a coordinated service is supported.
NZEI Te Riu Roa believes value for money, in the context of education, is evident in outcomes such as high quality education, teaching, and effective relationships between the student, teacher, and parent/caregiver/whānau.
Given the political ideologies which drive the review, NZEI believes submissions should focus on the current successful aspects of special education and look to build on those points.
Submissions can be made on-line via the Ministry of Education Website and close on 19th March.
View NZEI's submission (0.2mb pdf)
Review of Special Education 2010. For more information:
Govermnments value for money framework The Value-for-Money Principle