Frequently asked questions FAQs
What is Supplementary Learning Support?
Supplementary Learning Support is a recent addition to the special education resourcing policy to provide 1500 students with an additional 0.1 FTE teacher called a learning support teacher and some specialist support. Supplementary Learning Support will supplement (not replace) the support they are already receiving from existing special education initiatives.
Who are the eligible students?
Eligible students will have a significant and ongoing need for the adaptation of curriculum and teaching programmes. They will already be receiving support from Special Education initiatives such as the Special Education Grant, Learning Support Funding, communication or behaviour initiatives but their needs will be such that additional ongoing support is required.
To date, eligible students have been determined through a national process involving Ministry of Education, Special Education specialists and resource teachers: learning and behaviour (RTLB). Now that the initial 1500 students have been identified, new students are nominated locally as vacancies occur.
The collaborative work between the Ministry's Special Education specialists and RTLB is part of the development of the network of learning support to overcome fragmentation within Special Education.
How will Supplementary Learning Support assist students and teachers?
Students receiving Supplementary Learning Support will have specialist teacher input into the development of their classroom programmes and the development of the teaching resources needed to put these programmes into place. In addition, learning support teachers may be able to assist the classroom teacher with some direct classroom teaching.
Additional specialist resource from the Ministry's Special Education group will also enable greater specialist input, based on the specific needs of each student. This will contribute to planning and programming for the identified students.
Why another resource for students with special education needs?
There had been concerns that some students who "just missed out" on ORRS were not able to have their needs adequately met within the Special Education resourcing framework. Modification of the ORRS criteria to include additional students did not identify and include sufficient students to be seen as a viable solution.
Will a student on the Supplementary Learning Support Programme lose support from other Special Education initiatives?
No. Most support from existing initiatives is expected to continue. Supplementary Learning Support provides an additional ongoing teaching component and additional specialist support.
Whilst direct RTLB involvement is likely to be reviewed, specialist support (provided by Ministry staff) will be supplemented by the additional specialist support. Teacher aide support from either Learning Support Funding or the Special Education Grant is expected to continue where this is required to provide an adequate programme.
Where will the teachers be placed?
The learning support teaching positions will be aggregated to full-time or significant part-time positions as far as is sensible. Teachers may work with a number of students.
For students in remote schools or attending Kura Kaupapa Māori, support will be provided by allocation of 0.1 FTTE positions directly to the school concerned. This option which will be available to a very small group of students only will be called the managed pool. Details of this option are available from your local Special Education district office.
The teaching positions will be placed in host schools close to clusters of students receiving the support. An attachment grant and travel grant will be available.
Are learning support teachers similar to RTLB?
The learning support teacher's role will be to support the student's classroom teacher to provide an individually adapted education programme for the student in regular education settings. The support will usually be ongoing throughout the student's schooling.
RTLB similarly support teachers to provide individually adapted education programmes for students. But the support is not ongoing with an expectation that the student and teacher will be able to manage independently following RTLB intervention. RTLB, unlike learning support teachers, also have a role with school-wide systemic development.
What will the additional specialist time provide?
The additional specialist time will include access to Ministry of Education Special Education specialists such as psychologists, speech-language therapists etc. This support would be flexible over time. The specialists will work with, and provide support or advice, where necessary, to the learning support teacher, the classroom teacher, and the student.
Are any students excluded from access to this provision?
Students on the ORRS scheme will not be eligible for consideration.