July 29, 1999
(Education)

Department's commitment to students with special needs

Education Minister Judy Foote is disappointed by recent comments by the chairperson of the Avalon East School Board Kathy LeGrow concerning student assistants.

"Ms. LeGrow was quoted in Sunday's Telegram as disgruntled with the process of determining who is eligible for student assistant support. However, it is the responsibility of the Avalon East School Board to provide the department with the necessary information and what has been forthcoming has been incomplete," said Minister Foote.

The Department of Education had completed its work of processing all information received from school boards regarding challenging needs students and was ready to assign student assistants by May 5, 1999, however, the Avalon East School Board did not get all of its relevant information into the department until May 17. The department rapidly processed this information so that on May 31, 1999 all school boards including district 10 were informed of the names of students who had physical or cognitive disabilities, or who are hearing impaired or visually impaired and who were eligible for student assistant support. The boards were asked to notify schools and instruct them to notify the parents of these students.

From May 26 - June 4, 1999 some schools were visited by consultants from the Department of Education to gather additional information on students submitted under the category of severe behaviour disorder. A significant increase in the number of applications received by the department in this category from the previous year, necessitated a review to determine the reason for such an increase. This information was processed and boards were informed of the names of eligible students in the severe behaviour disorders category on June 18, 1999 with instructions that parents should be notified before school closed.

In addition over 30 students with severe physical and cognitive disabilities graduated from district 10 this year. Based on information provided to the department at this time, there are significantly fewer children with similar needs entering kindergarten in September. An appeals process is on-going whereby the board provides new information on any children or information is provided on any new children who have moved into the school district.

It is also important to note that the Avalon East School board has been allocated an additional 20 categorical (low ratio) special education teachers. Students with a low ratio special education teacher receive programming in small groups for at least part of the day and therefore the number of student assistant hours they require is significantly reduced.

The Department of Education's budget for students assistants has increased for the 1999/2000 school year to $8 million dollars an increase of 23 per cent or $1.5 million over the past two years. There are 609 special education teachers assigned to teach in boards across the province. In addition there are approximately 335 specialist teachers assigned to meet the needs of students with certain severe needs, including severe learning disabilities. This brings the total investment in support for students with special needs to over $55 million.

Ms. LeGrow's remarks do not reflect ongoing discussions between consultants at the Department of Education and program specialists at the board who are working diligently to ensure that every opportunity is provided to clarify information related to students seeking student assistant eligibility.

Media contact: Nancy Healey, (709) 729-0048.

1999 07 29                             4:10 p.m.