Introduction

The Associate Minister of Education, Hon Heather Roy released the terms of reference for the Review of Special Education on 19 August. The aim of the review is to ensure that policies and processes are fair, consistent, reach those most in need, make the best use of government funding, and that parents have choices.

how special education funding and services are allocated for children with high and very high needs – this is about fairness, reducing barriers and making the best use of the Government’s commitment to expand the Ongoing and Reviewable Resourcing Schemes (ORRS)
the schooling choices parents have for their children with high and very high needs
how we measure the performance and accountability of providers of services.

Phase two will get underway in late 2009 and will look at:

how we can ensure we have a confident and capable workforce of people supporting parents and teachers, and working directly with children with special education needs
how young people transitioning from school to life after school are supported
where improvements could be made to the Ministry of Education’s processes and whether they can reduce administration and be more responsive
how agencies can work better together, how services provided by a number of agencies can be better coordinated, and how children and families can get what they need when they need it.

Final recommendations will be made to Cabinet in August 2010.

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