Teachers give thumbs down to psychology unit [Independent.ie]
- Published: 02 June 2009
Teachers give thumbs down to psychology unit
Tuesday June 02 2009
TEACHERS believe the State's psychological services are failing special needs children.
A new study found widespread dissatisfaction among teachers involved in special education.
The teachers question the ability of the Government's National Educational Psychological Service to deliver an adequate service to schools.
The study says they are also unhappy with the frequency of visits by psychologists and the absence of therapeutic interventions.
The study, completed by Dr Paul Stevens, principal of Scoil an Chroi Ro Naofa, Castletownbere, Co Cork, and Prof Mona O'Moore, of Trinity College Dublin, is based on data gathered from over 900 teachers between 1989 and 2007.
The study 'Inclusion or Illusion?', published by Blackhall Publishing, says the lack of trained educational psychologists, coupled with the Government's reticence in filling vacant posts, suggest that its capacity to provide a comprehensive service will not be addressed in the short term.
They add that the deferral of the Education of Persons with Special Education Needs Act in the last Budget is a major blow to special educational provision.
- John Walshe
Special Needs Cuts Sparks Fury [Independent.ie]
- Published: 02 June 2009
Hold-up on special needs cuts sparks teacher fury
Tuesday June 02 2009
A teachers' union has accused Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe of sitting on a decision about which schools will have their special needs classes cut from September.
The axing of the 128 classes for more than 500 children with mild learning difficulties in 119 mainstream schools was announced in February as part of the education cuts programme.
The move provoked a storm of protest and 44 schools appealed the decision to the Department of Education.
Mr O'Keeffe told the Oireachtas Committee on Education three weeks ago that the appeal decisions would be notified to schools within days, but schools and parents are still waiting.
"The appeals have been sitting on the minister's desk awaiting a decision," Irish National Teachers Organisation general secretary John Carr said. Mr Carr added that parents, teachers and pupils had been in the dark about special needs provision since the announcement. He called on the minister to announce the decision without any further delay. "More than three weeks ago the minister said schools would probably have the result of the appeals the following day. Still they have heard nothing.
Looming
"Parents, pupils and schools are entitled to know for certain at this stage of the year.
"They deserve better than a dearth of information like this," he added.
Fine Gael education spokesman Brian Hayes said schools were entitled to know where they stood.
"Next September is looming and at the very least they should be told now," he said.
A spokesman for the minister said the appeals were not yet ready. "Some late ones came in and we want to let all the schools know at the same time. We will have outcomes very shortly," he said.
The minister has said a new model of allocating resources introduced in 2005 catered for children with special needs and schools that retained special classes had extra provision.
The minister's spokesman said Mr O'Keeffe was open to listening to proposals from schools where they could demonstrate that it was educationally more beneficial for the pupils involved to be in a special class rather than to be integrated with their peers and supported by the mainstream classroom teacher and the learning resource teacher.
"It would be expected, however, that provision would be made for these pupils in mainstream classes with support from the general allocation model," the spokesman said.
- Katherine Donnelly
Post-Graduate Certificate/Diploma in Special Educational Needs - Extension of Closing Date: June 23rd 2009
- Published: 02 June 2009
Post-Graduate Certificate/Diploma in Special Educational Needs
(Autistic Spectrum Disorders)
Extension of Closing Date: June 23rd 2009
The Post-Graduate Certificate/Diploma in Special Educational Needs (Autism Spectrum Disorders) is being provided by St. Angela's College, Sligo, the Special Education Support Service, (SESS) and Teacher Education Section (TES) of the Department of Education and Science (DES). This programme provides a post graduate qualification for support teachers working in the area of ASDs in mainstream primary and post-primary schools and for teachers in special classes, schools/units and other relevant educational settings.
This innovative course is based on current research and combines both practical and theoretical perspectives. Teachers can avail of courses elements outlined in the attached document on a regional basis, ensuring that this Certificate/Diploma is accessible nationwide. The Certificate/Diploma can be completed over a two-year time period giving flexibility to teachers. Accreditation is given for prior learning. Graduates may be eligible to progress to an MA in Special Educational Needs (Autistic Spectrum Disorders).
The first group of teachers is due to complete the programme in June 2009. Below are some of the comments from the participants who found that the programme greatly enhanced teaching and learning of pupils with Autistic Spectrum Disorders:
- Information was very valuable and gave me a great understanding of ASD.
- The course has helped me as a teacher t breakdown the required skills for teaching
- The practical advise for children with ASD
- The course gave an insight on ASDs, the holistic approaches used in teaching children with ASDs and gave us confidence as teachers to go out there and try different methodologies / strategies when we are working with children with ASDs.
- The fact that courses were available in different regions meant that they were very easy to access.
The closing date for receipt of applications is now being extended to 23rdJune, 2009.
DES Circular 0006/2009 referring to the course is available on the SESS website: www.sess.ie . Click this link to download the Application Form.
Yours Sincerely
________________________
Joan Crowley O'Sullivan
Director SESS
Aim: The aim of the programme will be to develop teachers' knowledge, understanding and skills in working with students with autistic spectrum disorders. The course comprises four modules, outlined below. Each module comprises various elements which must be completed. SESS will provide access to the various elements outlined for each module. Assessment is a critical element on completion of each module.
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Module One |
Understanding ASDs: Theoretical Perspectives and Implications for Practice |
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Assessment Assignment |
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Module Two |
Assessment, Planning and Curricular Access for Effective Learning by Students with ASDs |
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Assessment Assignment |
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Module Three |
Teaching Approaches for Students with ASDs |
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Assessment Assignment |
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Module Four |
Implications for Supporting Students with ASDs with reference to Self-Management and Behaviour |
courses
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Assessment Assignment |
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Assessment and Attendance: Participants will not necessarily be required to complete individual modules sequentially. However all elements of all modules must be completed within a two year period. The Certificate programme will entail a maximum of 23 release days from school. The Diploma programme will entail a maximum of 44 days release from school over a one or two year period. Attendance on a number of Saturdays at a central venue will be a requirement for course participants. Elements of each module are available locally/regionally. Travel to St. Angela's will be required on three occasions.
Class visits from SESS and St. Angela's College personnel for the purposes of support provision and practicum assessment respectively are an essential component of the programme.
Graduates of this programme also have the option to pursue a Master of Arts in Special Education Needs (ASD).
IATSE Annual Conference 2009 [IATSE]
- Published: 29 May 2009
Click here to download registration form
This year is the 21st annual conference of the association. We hope that, with your support as presenters and delegates, that it will be as special and memorable as previous events. If you are a long-time attendee come back and join us again this year. If you have never been to our conference join us and see how much the various events and presentation have to offer in term of professional development, information and interaction with teachers and other personnel working with students with special needs in Ireland and abroad. In addition our conference has always been noted for its friendly atmosphere and the warm welcome to all our participants.
The conference will, as usual, be held in St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 from Thursday, 11 June to Saturday, 13 June, 2009. The title is "Partnership for Learning" and there promises to be a wide diversity of papers and discussions on the many facets of the topic. We are looking forward to positive and supportive exchanges and debate especially in this time of doom and gloom in educational and fiscal matters.
As usual the Opening events of conference will be held on Thursday evening, 11 June at 8 pm in the College Auditorium. The Official opening will be followed by the keynote address. This year's keynote speaker is Fergus Finlay, a well known public figure from the political arena and more recently active in the area of children's rights and services. After the formalities there will be a reception in the College canteen, kindly hosted by the President of the College, where delegates, presenters and guests can meet and chat.
The conference will then follow the usual format with concurrent paper presentations on Friday and on Saturday morning. The papers will cover a wide range of topics and issues related to the theme of conference. The majority of our presenters come from Ireland but we hope to welcome presenters from Scotland, England, India, and the USA.
There will be a social event early on Friday evening just after the last paper presentation for those delegates and guests who wish to attend. Again details will be given as soon as final arrangements are made. Many delegates like an opportunity to meet in the early evening for a chat and a chance to discuss the conference to date. Then all are free to make their own arrangements for dinner or other options around town!
The conference will finish on Saturday with the Open Forum at 12 noon on Saturday, 14 June. All are invited to attend and participate.
As this is the 40th anniversary of IATSE it is hoped that some of the founder members will come to conference and have a reunion where they might discuss the events and changes of the past forty years. They may share some of their insights and memories with us all at the Open Forum on Saturday before we end conference.
The full programme will be available very shortly and will be displayed on the website and distributed by post to all members of IATSE as well as presenters and guests.
Each year the Department of Education has provided sanction for teachers to attend the Conference subject to certain conditions. The criteria allows for leave of absence for class teachers as well as special needs teachers and teachers in special schools, We are currently awaiting formal notification from the DES for this years conference. As soon as this is available the full details of conditions and criteria will be posted on the website and notified to members.
New Chief Executive Officer for the Equality Authority [The Equality Authority]
- Published: 29 May 2009
The Equality Authority today (Tuesday 19 May) approved the appointment of Renee Dempsey as Chief Executive Officer. The appointment was made following an open, public and competitive process, managed on behalf of the Authority by the Public Appointments Service. She will take up her position in early June.
Ms Dempsey has been head of the Disability Equality Unit in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform since July 2008 and she is a member of the National Disability Authority. Renee Dempsey has a wide range of experience across several government departments, working both at home and abroad.
The Chairperson of the Equality Authority said: "The Board is very pleased to approve the appointment of a CEO of such high calibre and with such energy and commitment. The Board looks forward to working with the new CEO in implementing the recently published Strategic Plan 2009-2011."
The Equality Authority was established by the Oireachtas in 1999 to promote and defend the anti-discrimination rights set out in the Employment Equality Acts and the Equal Status Acts. The Equality Authority has a staff of 38 based in two offices in Roscrea Co Tipperary, and in Clonmel Street, Dublin 2. For further information on the activities of the Equality Authority see www.equality.ie.
