The Suppression of 128 Special Classes for Pupils with Mild General Learning Disabilities: A Response

Authors

  • Joseph Travers

Keywords:

Special Class, Special Classes, SEN, Special Educational Needs, MGLD, General Learning Disabilities, Special Provision

Abstract

In responding to the recent decision to suppress 128 special classes for pupils with mild general learning disabilities, this article outlines the huge changes in provision for these pupils in recent years. Drawing on relevant studies it raises many issues about the capacity of the general allocation model of support provision to meet the needs of these pupils.

References

Department of Education and Science (DES) (2005a) Circular 02/05: The Organisation of Teaching Resources for Pupils who Need Additional Support in Mainstream Primary Schools, Dublin: DES.

Department of Education and Science (DES) (2005b) Press Release by Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin, T.D. “Hanafin announces 660 extra Special Needs Teachers for Primary Schools from September 2005, Means 1100 Additional Teaching Posts for Special Needs Children since last June - 8th May, Dublin: DES.

Department of Education and Science (DES) (2005c) DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools): An Action Plan for Educational Inclusion, Dublin: DES. Heward, W.L. (2003) Ten Faulty Notions About Teaching and Learning that Hinder the Effectiveness of Special Education, Journal of Special Education, Vol. 36 (4), pp. 186-205.

Ireland (2004) Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act (EPSEN), Dublin: The Stationery Office.

Ireland (2005) Statutory Instruments, S.I. No. 507 of 2005, Order entitled Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 (Commencement) Order 2005, Dublin: The Stationery Office.

Irish Association of Teachers in Special Education (IATSE) (2000) National Survey of Special Needs Resource Teachers in Primary Schools, Dublin: IATSE.

Kidd, R. and Hornby, G. (1993) Transfer from Special to Mainstream, British Journal of Special Education, Vol. 20 (1), pp. 17-19.

National Council for Special Education (NCSE) (2006) Implementation Report: Plan for the Phased Implementation of the EPSEN Act, 2004, Dublin: The Stationery Office.

Norwich, B. and Kelly, N. (2004) Pupils’ Views on Inclusion: Moderate Learning Difficulties and Bullying in Mainstream and Special Schools, British Educational Research Journal, Vol. 30 (1), pp. 43-65.

REACH Journal of Special Needs Education in Ireland, Vol. 23.1 (2009), 2–128

Special Education Department, St. Patrick’s College (2007) The Changing Face of the Pupil Population in Special Schools and Classes, Paper presented at the 19th Annual International Conference of IATSE, Dublin, June 2007.

Stevens, P. (2007) Educational Provision for Children with Mild General Learning Disabilities in National Schools and Special Schools in the Republic of Ireland 1989-2004 (unpublished Ph.D. thesis), Dublin: Trinity College.

Stevens, P. and O’Moore, M. (2009) Inclusion or Illusion: Educational Provision for Primary Children with Mild General Learning Disabilities, Dublin: Blackhall Publishing.

Travers, J. (2007) Learning Support for Mathematics in Irish Primary Schools: A Study of Policy, Practice and Teachers’ Views (unpublished EdD dissertation), Belfast: Queen’s University.

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Published

2009-06-01

How to Cite

Travers, J. (2009). The Suppression of 128 Special Classes for Pupils with Mild General Learning Disabilities: A Response. REACH: Journal of Inclusive Education in Ireland, 23(1), 2–12. Retrieved from https://www.reachjournal.ie/index.php/reach/article/view/101

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 1 (2009)

Section

Articles

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