Needy pupils miss out

SCHOOLING WOES: Red Beach resident Ursula Cranmer, with son Andrew, says that secondary schools often have limited options for students with special needs.

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Rodney students Keegan Lewis, Andrew Cranmer and Blake Brookland are just three of the many local children who will be affected by an Education Ministry special education review.

The three boys spent their primary school years based in the Motuora Unit at Red Beach School, which currently caters for 15 children.

Now they are all going their separate ways. Keegan is attending Whangaparaoa College, Andrew goes to Wairau Valley Special School, and Blake is undecided and is still at Red Beach Primary.

When they are about 12 years old students from the special units move on to local intermediate or secondary schools.

Andrew’s mum Ursula Cranmer of Red Beach says while the Education Act says all children should have equal access to their local schools, in reality there are ongoing issues surrounding attitudes, resources, teacher competence and support in mainstream schools which can make it very difficult for special-needs children and their parents.

"The only alternative is segregation," says Mrs Cranmer.

"There are no special schools in the Rodney district," she says.

"There’s a special unit at Red Beach, and student support at Orewa College and Mahurangi College, which are limited. So students who are not competently catered for in local mainstream settings are taxied to and from special schools out of the area. This system is expensive and separates them from their community, siblings and school friends. Officially described as ‘choice’, this situation is not really a choice at all."

In July 2008, the IHC lodged a complaint to the Human Rights Commission about government practices which the organisation says result in discrimination against children with a disability in local schools.

In 2009 the commission formally notified the Education Ministry of the complaint, and all school boards of trustees received a reminder from the ministry on the legislation surrounding special education in mainstream settings.

In response, associate education minister Heather Roy initiated a review.

"I have been moved and concerned over some of the things that I have heard and am determined to find ways that we can do better," says Mrs Roy.

"The review of special education is an important first step in that direction."

Mrs Cranmer says as a qualified secondary school teacher she understands teachers have complex and challenging jobs.

"The task is not to make their lives more difficult, but to find ways to support teachers well, and to create classrooms that provide a positive learning environment for everyone.

"Staff of secondary schools often don’t acknowledge the expertise of the support team that accompanies disabled students. Parents are included in this team, and play a key role in overseeing their child’s education.

"The prevailing attitude of limiting parental input at college level, or perceiving it as excessive, irrelevant or even interfering, is very detrimental to these students," Mrs Cramner says.

The review discussion paper asks for feedback on topics such as successful schools, changing the way that schools work together, improving inter-agency cooperation and transitions, allocating and using funding and other resources, improving the quality of services and improving accountability.

For a copy of the discussion document visit www.minedu.govt.nz.

Submissions close on Friday, March 19, and forms are on the site under the link Consultation For.

Submitters may also address a panel.

- © Fairfax NZ News