Special Education Program
Our Special Education Program (SEP) supports students with disabilities, and assists teachers in the development of their educational programs. We are based at Moranbah State School, but also support students at Moranbah East State School, Nebo State School, Valkyrie State School, and Coppabella State School.
Students with disability
The Department of Education, Training and Employment’s definition of disability is as outlined in Section 4 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. This legislation defines disability, in relation to a person, as:
- total or partial loss of the person’s bodily or mental functions
- total or partial loss of a part of the body
- the presence in the body of organisms causing disease or illness
- the presence in the body of organisms capable of causing disease or illness
- the malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of a part of the person’s body
- a disorder or malfunction that results in the person learning differently from a person without the disorder or malfunction
- a disorder, illness or disease that affects a person’s thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgment or that results in disturbed behaviour.
Where are students enrolled?
Our students are enrolled, as are all students at our school, into their age appropriate year level class. They are considered to be a member of that class who is supported by the SEP.
What forms can support take?
This is determined on an individual basis, with an attempt being made to balance direct support (withdrawal to the SEP, in class support, play time support) with indirect support (resources and planning with the class teacher, discussions with families).
How much support will the student receive?
This is determined on a case by case basis, where we weigh the individual needs of the student and their ability to access and participate in the intended curriculum of their classroom. Support ranges from minor to extensive. Our teams’ focus is always upon the individual student reaching agreed goals, and curriculum outcomes, through a Student Plan
What is a Student Plan?
Student Plans document the ways students are supported at school. Depending on the needs of the individual student, and the intent of the plan, a Student Plan is comprised of various components. A student plan may consist of one or more of the following: Personalised Learning, Individual Curriculum Plan, Health Management, and/or Support Provisions.
Different parts of a student’s support profile will be relevant for different purposes at different times. Since the Student Plan contains all provisions and planned support for a student’s individual needs, it thus becomes a single point of reference for all planning details relating to the student’s access to curriculum and participation in the life of the school.
Personalised learning
In general, planning for student support involves identifying characteristics and analysing these characteristics to plan appropriate responses. Personalised Learning records the student’s personalised learning needs, including key characteristics, impacts and adjustments/strategies/skill development.
Individual curriculum plan
An individual curriculum plan (ICP) is required when a student enrolled in Prep-10 is taught, assessed and reported in a lower, or higher, year-level of the P-10 Australian Curriculum than their age cohort for the whole of a learning area/subject.
An ICP documents curriculum decisions about Australian Curriculum learning areas/subjects. The ICP is intended for students enrolled in P-10.
An ICP is developed for the whole of a learning area/subject and is based on evidence that a student is not meeting the achievement standard in the learning area/subject.
If the evidence shows that for example, that a student has significant difficulties with reading texts, this would not be sufficient evidence on which to base the decision to develop an ICP in any learning area/subject. It is a flag to be considered as part of the decision making. Similarly, a D or an E on a report card is another flag – but again is not enough evidence on its own.
Students who may need an ICP include those:
- identified with a disability (in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992)
- with learning difficulties
- who are gifted and talented.
Not all students with disability will require an ICP.
Health Management Plan
Health Management allows health plans to be recorded against medical conditions. Health plans are documents that provide schools with directions or guidelines to support students with specialised health needs.
In the Health Management Plan, all medical conditions are displayed along with existing plans from the current school and from other schools the student has attended. The types of plans that can be added are Individual Health Plans, Emergency Health Plans, Action Plans and other plans.
What facilities does the SEP have?
We are currently located within the Moranbah State School grounds, and offer both a Primary school age and an Early Childhood Development Program. We have wheelchair accessible facilities and dedicated Disability parking spots for the safe drop off and collection of our students. Through our program students are also able to access Education Queensland Therapy Services -Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech Language Pathology.
Who will I meet there?
You will meet a number of people who will work with you to assist your child's development. They provide a wide range of support for students who need assistance to participate in educational activities and achieve learning outcomes.
The Head of Special Education Services
Special education programs of a certain size require a Head of Special Education Services (HOSES) to administer the program. The HOSES is a teacher whose work includes:
- taking a central role in the educational team in curriculum planning for the student
- case management of students
- teaching students with disabilities
- monitoring the progress, performance and behaviour of students with disabilities
- giving advice and guidance to teachers and support staff
- directing and supervising the staff of the specialised program.
Special Education Teachers
The Special Education Teachers’ work includes:
- case management of students
- teaching students with disabilities
- monitoring the progress, performance and behaviour of students with disabilities
- giving advice and guidance to teachers and support staff.
Teacher aides
The teacher aides’ work includes:
- supporting teaching and learning of all students.
- working closely with teachers to facilitate maximum participation and engagement in the classroom
- developing and obtaining resources
- undertaking administrative duties
- supervising students
- participating in teaching activities under the direction of a teacher.
You might also see
- Guidance officer
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech language pathologists
- Advisory visiting teachers – for hearing impairment, physical impairment, and vision impairment
- Volunteer workers
- Other parents
Emphasis is placed on a collaborative team approach to support and assist our students and their families. We believe that open, honest communication between families and team members is the first step in successfully supporting our students. We value the feedback provided by our families and the opportunities presented for us to improve our services.
If you believe a child may be eligible for Special Education Services, please contact the Principal, or the special education office.