Education
February 16, 2010
Minister Highlights Commitment to Inclusive Education
The Honourable Darin
King, Minister of Education, in recognition of Inclusive
Education Week, February 15-21, today outlined
advancements to support inclusive education in the
province's school system.
"The Department of
Education promotes students attending schools with their
peers, and receiving appropriate, quality programming in
inclusive school environments," said Minister King.
"Such inclusive education involves more than student
placement. It embraces all students, not just those with
identified exceptionalities, and involves everything
that happens within the school community including its
culture, policies, and practices."
To better support
inclusive education policies, the Department of
Education has begun a pilot project in 30 schools
throughout the province, which will expand to an
additional 35 schools in the 2010-11 school year.
Teachers in these schools are receiving professional
development on inclusion, including learning how to use
different teaching methods based on students' needs, as
well as how to share responsibilities in instruction
delivery to meet the diverse needs of learners.
The Provincial Government
has made significant investments in recent years to
support inclusive education and implement the
recommendations of the 2007 ISSP/Pathways report,
including $1.65 million in Budget 2009. Since 2007, a
position was created in the department solely
responsible for inclusive education. In addition, the
department has consulted with special education
stakeholders on the development of an inclusive
education policy. This policy will help guide teachers
and administrators in helping make their schools fully
inclusive for all students.
"Inclusive Education week
is a time to recognize our progress in inclusion within
our provincial school system, as well as highlight the
many benefits to embracing an inclusive education
system," said Debbie Howell, President of the
Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community
Living. "Research now shows that including students with
special needs in regular classrooms benefits all
students both academically and socially. Inclusion works
when all students are not just able to attend their
neighbourhood schools, but are welcomed and supported to
learn."
"In a truly inclusive
school, teachers are effective and students have
enhanced well-being," said Minister King. "Everyone wins
in an inclusive school because everyone feels that they
belong, realize their potential, and contribute to the
life of the school. During Inclusive Education Week, I
encourage everyone in the school system to think about
ways to make schools more inclusive and then make that
happen every day. Real inclusion is about actions, not
just words."
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Photo: Derrick Dalley, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Education and MHA for the Isles of Notre Dame, signs the proclamation for Inclusive Education Week on behalf of the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education.
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2010 02 16
9:45 a.m.
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