International International DialogueDialogue

Accommodating Special Needs

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1. What country are you from?1. What country are you from?

2 26 6 1

8 3

1 2

5 1

1. Australia

2. Canada

3. Ireland

4. Israel

5. Netherlands

6. New Zealand

7. Nigeria

8. South Africa

9. Uganda

10.Ukraine

11.Other

Country # of responses Country # of responses

2. If you are from Canada, what province/territory are you 2. If you are from Canada, what province/territory are you from?from?

1. Newfoundland and Labrador2. Prince Edward Island3. Nova Scotia4. New Brunswick5. Quebec6. Ontario7. Manitoba8. Saskatchewan9. Alberta10.British Columbia11.Yukon12.Northwest Territories13.Nunavut

3. Which of the following best describes your role in 3. Which of the following best describes your role in education?education?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

0%

16%

59%

0%

9%

3%

13%

1. Ministry/Policy2. District Leader or

Administrator (System Level)

3. School-based Leader – Ex. Principal, Head Teacher, Director, Etc.

4. Supporting School-based Leader – Ex. Vice-Principal, Deputy Principal, Etc.

5. Teacher6. Education Organization

and/or association7. Other

4. If you are a school-based leader, which of the following 4. If you are a school-based leader, which of the following best describes your school? best describes your school?

1 2 3

97%

0%3%

1.Publicly funded2. Independently

funded3.Other

5. What is your gender?5. What is your gender?

1 2

19%

81%1.Female2.Male

6. What age range do you fall within?6. What age range do you fall within?

1 2 3 4 5 6

0%

6%

0%

6%

55%

33%

1.21 – 302.31 – 403.41 – 504.51 – 605.61 – 70 6.71 – 80

7. How many years have you been in education?7. How many years have you been in education?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

0% 0%

15%

9%

15%

27%

24%

9%

1.1 – 52.6 – 103.11 – 154.16 – 205.21 – 256.26 – 307.31 – 358.More than 35

8. How many years have you been in your current role?8. How many years have you been in your current role?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

56%

31%

9%

0%3%

0%0%0%

1.1 – 52.6 – 103.11 – 154.16 – 205.21 – 256.26 – 307.31 – 358.More than 35

9. In your jurisdiction, do teaching staff require Special 9. In your jurisdiction, do teaching staff require Special Education Qualifications?Education Qualifications?

1 2 3

91%

0%9%

1. Yes2. No3. Unsure

10. In your jurisdiction, do Principals and Vice Principals have 10. In your jurisdiction, do Principals and Vice Principals have the opportunity to acquire Special Education Qualifications?the opportunity to acquire Special Education Qualifications?

1 2 3

94%

0%6%

1. Yes2. No3. Unsure

11. In your jurisdiction, does the Ministry of Education 11. In your jurisdiction, does the Ministry of Education require an identification of an exceptionality (e.g., learning require an identification of an exceptionality (e.g., learning

disability, giftedness, etc.) or a diagnosis (e.g., ODD, Autism, disability, giftedness, etc.) or a diagnosis (e.g., ODD, Autism, etc.) for students to receive specialized teaching?etc.) for students to receive specialized teaching?

1 2 3

59%

6%

34%

1. Yes2. No3. Unsure

12. In your jurisdiction, what placement options are available 12. In your jurisdiction, what placement options are available for students with special needs?for students with special needs?

1 2 3 4

88%

0%

13%

0%

1. Integrated fully into the conventional education system

2. In the same buildings as others, but in separate classrooms

3. Attend a separate school

4. Not integrated at all and/or do not attend school

Students with special needs often require the support of Students with special needs often require the support of specialists such as vision/hearing resource teachers, specialists such as vision/hearing resource teachers,

occupational therapists, etc.occupational therapists, etc.

13. In your jurisdiction, how would you describe your access 13. In your jurisdiction, how would you describe your access to such specialized supports?to such specialized supports?

1 2 3 4 5

16%

81%

0%0%3%

1. Extensive and readily available

2. A few are available, but not adequate

3. A few are available, but too costly

4. Not available5. Not needed

Accommodating Special NeedsAccommodating Special Needs

GROUP DISCUSSION

•How are students with special needs identified in your jurisdiction?•What are the challenges in accommodating students with special needs?

o What is being done in your jurisdiction to address these challenges?

o What else should be done?

Accommodating Special NeedsAccommodating Special Needs

GROUP DISCUSSION

•We envision an inclusive education system in Ontario in which all students, parents, and other members of the school community are welcomed and respected; and every student is supported and inspired to succeed in a culture of high expectations for learning.

o Discuss what is being done in your jurisdiction to include all stakeholders in your school to support special needs learners.

o What successes have you had in ensuring a culture where special needs students are provided equal opportunities?

o Describe the barriers to reaching these goals and share strategies that might support new learning opportunities for teachers and administratorsin your area.