Learning disabled students could get own centre of excellence
Janet Steffenhagen, Vancouver Sun
Published: Monday, March 10, 2008
VANCOUVER - A centre of excellence to help children with learning disabilities could soon open in Vancouver if the school board approves a proposal tonight, chairman Clarence Hansen said Sunday.
Hansen said the centre would employ special-education teachers to work with students and develop programs to meet their needs. It would also offer professional development for teachers to ensure those programs continue after the students return to their home schools.
The proposal, which doesn't yet have a price tag, is one of several dealing with special education to be considered by trustees at tonight's meeting. Another calls for an audit in all Lower Mainland schools to compare the actual cost of special education with the dollars provided by the Education Ministry.
Hansen predicted the audit would increase pressure for more funding, adding that in his opinion, "the ministry has to cough up more bucks."
He said the proposed centre would be different from the controversial "model" school for special-needs children that Education Minister Shirley Bond was promoting a year ago because it would be part of the Vancouver district rather than being a provincially run school.
The proposals to be discussed tonight were floated late last year by a group called Parents for Successful Inclusion. Spokeswomen Dawn Steele and Patti Bacchus said they are pleased the district is taking their recommendations seriously.
If approved, the proposals would represent "first steps" in restoring supports for thousands of special-needs students in Vancouver public schools, they said in an e-mail Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Learning Disabilities Association of B.C. has started a petition pressing government to meet the education needs of all children through early screening for special needs and prompt intervention.
It also calls for:
- Specific funding for special-education programs that covers actual costs.
- Pre- and in-service training for all teachers to help them meet the diverse needs in their classrooms.
- A third-party appeal process for parents to deal quickly with complaints and monitor compliance.
The association's Cathie Camley said her group started the petition out of sheer frustration at a B.C. Supreme Court decision overturning a B.C. Human Rights Tribunal ruling that had ordered schools to provide adequate services for students with severe learning disabilities or pay for them to attend private schools.
Parents had hoped the human-rights decision would force government to provide much-needed services, she said, adding the petition gives voice to "their disappointment, anger, frustration and sadness."
Sun education reporter
jsteffenhagen@png.canwest.com
© The Vancouver Sun 2008
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=a267f13b-308b-49ec-9fed-440b9bac7f93
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