A STATEWIDE review of the needs of school students with disabilities could benefit Aspendale’s Yarrabah School.
Education Minister James Merlino launched the Program for Students with Disabilities review earlier this month and said an advisory panel including representatives from principals’ groups, Australian Association of Special Education, Parents Victoria, AMAZE (Autism Victoria), the Specific Learning Difficulties (SPELD) Victoria, the Children’s Hospital and the University of Melbourne will be consulted on how schools can best support students with special needs, including those with autism and dyslexia.
“This is the most comprehensive review of the Program for Students with Disabilities in our state’s history,” Mr Merlino said.
“Everyone deserves a great education to reach their full potential – and children with special needs deserve support.”
The government review will ask families, teachers and principals with an interest in the education of children with a disability to make their views known.
Mordialloc Labor MP Tim Richardson said the review is a chance for parents and teachers of children with special needs to share their experiences of the state education system, including the challenges faced on a daily basis and ways care and support can be improved.
“Just consider the amazing work done by Yarrabah School in Aspendale and the huge growth in students they support over the past 20 years,” Mr Richardson said.
“As well as our local primary and secondary schools who do all they can to give children with special needs the best education and support. We need to know what is working and what needs to change to make it easier for children, their families and schools.
I have had the chance to hear from parents of children with special needs about the difficulties they face. We need to hear their stories to better understand how we improve the support in years to come.”
A questionnaire to provide feedback to the Program for Students with Disabilities review will be available online at education.vic.gov.au/specialneedsplan in September.
First published in the Mordialloc Mentone News – 22 July 2015
