The Fragile X Association of Australia has entered a submission into the “Inquiry into the Provision of Education to Students with a Disability or Special Needs” being conducted by The NSW Legislative Council of the NSW Parliament. The submission was prepared by Dr Robyn Iredale, PhD, our Association’s Committee Secretary and Adjunct Associate Professor at The Australian Demographic & Social Research Institute,  Australian National University.

The Committee will investigate best practice approaches in determining the allocation of funding to children with a disability or special needs with a particular focus on what can be learned from the provision of education to students with a disability or special needs in Australia and overseas.

In announcing the inquiry, The Chair of General Purpose Standing Committee No.2, Ms Robyn Parker MLC said: “Interacting with the education system can be a frustrating and confusing experience for parents of a child with a disability or special needs, as they attempt to ensure that their child gets adequate support to reach their full potential.”

“An area of concern for teachers and parents alike is the adequacy of funding for children with a disability or special needs attending NSW schools. The Inquiry was established in recognition of their concerns”, Ms Parker noted.

The Committee will investigate best practice approaches in determining the allocation of funding to children with a disability or special needs. “We will take a close look at what can be learned from the provision of education to students with a disability or special needs in Australia and overseas. In particular, we will look at whether a student’s funding allocation should be based on their functioning capacity rather than their disability”, she added.

A number of other important issues are also covered by the terms of reference, including:

• Level and adequacy of current special education places
• Adequacy of support services for children with a disability in mainstream school classes
• Provision of a suitable curriculum for intellectually disabled and conduct disordered students
• Access to professional support services, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and school counsellors
• Adequacy of pre-service and post-service teacher training.

Further Information:

• FXAA’s submission to the Inquiry
• A list of all submissions to the Inquiry and Transcripts of Public Meetings can be found on the “The provision of education to students with a disability or special needs (Inquiry) page on the Parliament of NSW website.
• Inquiry Terms of Reference
• Article from the Business Spectator NSW private schools overfunded: inquiry