Inquiry into students with disability or special needs in New South Wales schools
Poor experiences and outcomes are common
These examples reported to CYDA reflect the broad range of poor experiences and outcomes that commonly characterise the education experiences of students with disability in New South Wales (NSW):
They would get us to watch DVD’s for sport and other lessons, which were for little kids not a 16 year old. At lunch and recess every day I was in the library on computers. I want to be treated like other students – Student, 16 years. The system failed my son. I feel I had no choice but to pull him out of mainstream school to home school with no support. I would have much preferred my child to attend the local public school. The school place he was offered had no sensory support and required him to wear a red vest so that other children could keep their eye on him. Staff are ill equipped to provide the right support and are knocking back training and new strategies to help my son. As a result he accesses less than 10% of the curriculum, the school has become a babysitting service. My son is missing out and falling further behind. My child has no voice, he is shut down when trying to talk or express his needs. This has been witnessed by another parent and myself…He was also dragged along by his arm to the classroom instead of being directed there. My six year old…has been suspended numerous times and has an absence record of 15 full days and 40 partial days due to the school not being given (appropriate) funding and staffing resources. This is not inclusive education. The school claims they cannot get funding for (my son) and they can't afford resources, but they don't use interventions to create fair education. This happened at a private school too. In Year 1…my son had a less supportive teacher. He struggled to complete his writing tasks as quickly as the teacher wanted him to…I would come to pick him up at the end of school and ask how his day had been and find out that he had been sitting there all day and no one had helped him and he felt his teacher was “angry with him again.” School staff do not understand my child’s needs and label him as naughty. My child was excluded from the drama group, the choir, sport, and a talent quest just in case he embarrassed the school. (My son) didn't want to go back to school because he didn't want to be locked in the storeroom anymore. The school claims that it never happened. After being dragged by staff (my son) was put in a fenced-in outdoor area by himself in the middle of winter without a jumper. The staff even closed the blinds so he couldn't see into the room. He was terrified and banging on the door begging to be let back in as witnessed by another parent. The school didn't notify me about the physical restraint nor the locking him outside alone. I was told by another parent. (There is a) physical seven foot fence around the compound that houses autism classes, the kids are segregated from play and lunch areas, with no assimilation into peer groups. My son has been physically restrained by teachers and on another occasion by senior students. (He was also forced to) sit on a chair in the office block and was not allowed to leave under any circumstances. The bullying has been disgusting. Physical and mental! The Principal stated that the ‘zero tolerance policy’ for bullying was only for "normal kids" and that weird kids had to expect to be bullied! My son has experienced bullying from the minute he began school and he has missed a lot of school because of it. |
Students with disability contend with profound barriers and disadvantage within the NSW education system. A typical education experience for students with disability involves discrimination, limited or no funding for support, inadequate expertise of staff, a systemic culture of low expectations, exclusion and bullying. There are also increasing incidents of restraint and seclusion reported to Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA).
In recent years there have been a range of reforms, programs or initiatives impacting students with disability that have been implemented at the state and Commonwealth level. Despite this, CYDA has observed minimal improvements in the education experiences of students with disability in NSW.
CYDA also notes that there have been numerous previous state and Commonwealth inquiries that have clearly articulated the current experiences and barriers faced by students with disability, yet meaningful change has not yet occurred. While this latest inquiry into Students with a Disability or Special Needs in NSW Schools is welcomed, it is critical that meaningful and embedded reform to the education system occurs to ensure it can adequately meet the needs of students with disability. Further, it is imperative that this reform is informed by the direct experiences of students with disability, relevant human rights frameworks and legislation and available evidence regarding best practice.
This submission will draw on CYDA’s extensive body of work regarding education, with a specific focus on the NSW experience.
Children and Young People with Disability Australia
CYDA is the national representative organisation for children and young people with disability, aged 0 to 25 years. The organisation is primarily funded through the Australian Government Department of Social Services and is a not for profit organisation. CYDA has a national membership of 5300.
CYDA provides a link between the direct experiences of children and young people with disability to federal government and other key stakeholders. This link is essential for the creation of a true appreciation of the experiences and challenges faced by children and young people with disability.
CYDA’s vision is that children and young people with disability living in Australia are afforded every opportunity to thrive, achieve their potential and that their rights and interests as individuals, members of a family and their community are met.
CYDA’s purpose is to advocate systemically at the national level for the rights and interests of all children and young people with disability living in Australia and it undertakes the following to achieve its purpose:
- Listen and respond to the voices and experiences of children and young people with disability;
- Advocate for children and young people with disability for equal opportunities, participation and inclusion in the Australian community;
- Educate national public policy makers and the broader community about the experiences of children and young people with disability;
- Inform children and young people with disability, their families and care givers about their citizenship rights and entitlements; and
- Celebrate the successes and achievements of children and young people with disability.
CYDA has undertaken extensive advocacy to progress greater understanding and awareness of the direct experiences of students with disability and the critical need for reform in education. This has included direct representation to governments and ministers, participation in related advisory bodies, contribution to a range of national and state based inquiries and consultations, provision of numerous policy submissions and reports, publication of issues papers and hosting a range of events.[1] In addition, CYDA conducts an annual national survey on the education experiences of students with disability. A summary of the 2016 national results is provided for the Committee’s consideration (see Appendix A).
Human rights and legal context
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability 2006 (CRPD) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 (CRC) clearly establish the right of children and young people with disability to receive a quality, free and inclusive education.[2] Australia has signed and ratified both of these international human rights treaties, thereby demonstrating its commitment to protect and respect the rights, standards and obligations contained in both international treaties.
The CRPD refers in article seven to the obligation of “State Parties to take all necessary measures to ensure the full enjoyment of children with disabilities of all human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with other children.”[3] Article 24 specifically relates to education:
State Parties recognize the rights of persons with disabilities to education. With a view to realizing this right without discrimination and on the basis of equal opportunity, State Parties shall ensure an inclusive education system at all levels and lifelong learning directed to:
The full development of human potential and sense of dignity and self-worth, and the strengthening of respect for human rights, fundamental rights and human diversity;
The development by persons with disabilities of their personality, talents and creativity, as well as their mental and physical abilities, to their fullest potential; and
Enabling persons with disabilities to participate effectively in a free society.[4]
In 2016 the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted the General Comment on the Right to Inclusive Education. This General Comment provides a detailed explanation and definition of article 24 of the CRPD. As a signatory to the CRPD, the Comment is a critical reference for Australia which articulates actions that should be taken to afford this right to students with disability.
The General Comment states that inclusive education “focuses on the full and effective participation, accessibility, attendance and achievement of all students, especially those who, for different reasons, are excluded or at risk of being marginalised. Inclusive education involves access to and progress in high-quality formal and informal education without discrimination.”[5] Inclusion is defined as a:
(Process) of systemic reform embodying changes and modifications in content, teaching methods, approaches, structures and strategies in education to overcome barriers with a vision serving to provide all students of the relevant age range with an equitable and participatory learning experience and the environment that best corresponds to their requirements and preferences.[6]
The General Comment also articulates the “specific and continuing obligation to move as move as expeditiously and effectively as possible” towards realisation of article 24. In particular, CYDA would like to highlight the following actions included in the Comment that will contribute to the implementation of the right to inclusive education:
States parties must ensure a comprehensive and inter-sectoral commitment to inclusive education across government;[7]
States parties, at every level, must implement or introduce legislation, based on the human rights model of disability that fully complies with article 24;[8]
A comprehensive and co-ordinated legislative and policy framework for inclusive education must be introduced, together with a clear and adequate time frame for implementation and sanctions for violations;[9]
Legislation must be supported by an Education Sector Plan, developed in consultation with (representative organisations for children with disability), including children, and detailing the process for the implementation of an inclusive education system;[10]
States parties must collect appropriate disaggregated data to formulate policies, plans and programmes to fulfil their obligations under Article 24; [11] and
State parties must commit sufficient financial and human resources throughout the development of Education Sector and cross-sector Plans to support the implementation of inclusive education, consistent with progressive realization.[12]
Inclusive education, despite being a right, is far from being a reality for most students with disability in Australia. It is critical that all levels of government in Australia commit to a reform agenda that includes clearly defined mechanisms to ensure progressive realisation of the right to inclusive education for students with disability.
Australia has also implemented domestic legislation and policy aimed at upholding the human rights of children and young people with disability. The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) is the primary legislative mechanism for eliminating discrimination on the basis of disability. It covers a range of areas, including education, employment and access to premises.[13] Further state and territory legislation exists with similar objectives.
The DDA is the overarching legislation for the Disability Standards for Education 2005. The Standards aim to ensure students with disability are able to access and participate in education on an equal basis to students without disability.[14] The DDA makes it unlawful to contravene the Standards, and compliance with the Standards is taken to be compliance with the DDA.
Policy context
The National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 (the Strategy) is a national policy framework that seeks to ensure that the rights contained within the CRPD are reflected in all policies and programs affecting people with disability.[15] It sets a 10 year reform plan for 2010-2020 for all Australian governments to address the barriers faced by Australians with disability. The Strategy aims to ensure that mainstream services and programs including healthcare, housing, transport and education are accessible and address the needs of people with disability.
‘Learning and skills’ is one outcome area of the Strategy that focuses on improving educational programs and outcomes for people with disability. The four policy directions identified in this section of the Strategy are:
Strengthen the capability of all education providers to deliver inclusive high quality educational programs for people with all abilities from early childhood through adulthood;
Focus on reducing the disparity in educational outcomes for people with a disability and others;
Ensure that government reforms and initiatives for early childhood, education, training and skill development are responsive to the needs of people with disability; and
Improve pathways for students with disability from school to further education, employment and lifelong learning. [16]
It is noted that the NSW Disability Inclusion Plan and the Department of Family and Community Services Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2015-19 contain minimal reference and specific actions relating to education. [17] Given the importance of a quality education in supporting social and economic participation and inclusion in the community, this is a significant omission. It is critical that this is addressed in all future plans, implementation documents and evaluation. Further, the General Comment on the Right to Inclusive Education is key resource that should be used to guide these frameworks.
Recommendation 1: Education be a key focus area in future New South Wales Disability Inclusion Plans and implementation strategies and associated actions align with the United Nations General Comment on the Right to Inclusive Education.
Funding Reform
A significant focus of education reform in recent years has been on school funding, including the development of a funding loading for students with disability. The Australian Education Act 2013 legislated a new model for the provision of Commonwealth funding to schools across Australia and provided principles and objectives to frame negotiations between the states, territories and Commonwealth regarding school funding arrangements.[18]
Under the Act, schools are provided with a base amount of funding for each student enrolled (the Schooling Resource Standard or SRS).[19] Students who have been identified as requiring additional support also receive an additional funding loading, including students with disability.[20]
The Australian Education Act contains only temporary provisions for the funding of schools for students with disability.[21] This was calculated at 223% of the respective SRS for students attending special schools and 186% for students with disability who attend mainstream schools.[22] There was a clear expectation that the loading for students with disability would be finalised during 2014 and implemented in 2015, however this did not occur.[23] It remains unclear when the disability loading will be finalised.
A key factor impacting the development of the loading has been the lack of robust data about students with disability. To address this, the Council of Australian Governments Education Council agreed in May 2013 to undertake the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) to inform the development of the disability loading. The NCCD commenced in October 2013 and was collected by all Australian schools for the first time in 2015. The data is now collected annually.
In October 2014, the Education Council announced that the data collected through the NCCD to date “is not yet of sufficient quality to provide the information required to inform funding arrangements for students with a disability.”[24]
The 2016 Federal Budget included $118 million in funding for schools to support students with disability in 2016 and 2017. The funding is being distributed to schools using information obtained through the NCCD. It is understood that this funding provides a top up for schools based on what they should be receiving under the SRS and the interim disability loading. It does not represent the final disability loading.
In December 2016, the report containing the 2015 NCCD results was released. The report identified 18% (674 323 students) of all Australian school students as receiving an educational adjustment due to disability.[25] However, it also noted it also noted that “improving the quality of data collected through the collection is an iterative process” and results must be considered with this in mind.[26] The interim disability loading has been again extended to 2017. The timing and development of the full, permanent loading for students with disability continues to be unclear.
Educational outcomes of students with disability
Available national and state statistics illustrate the significant disadvantage experienced in educational attainment and outcomes of students with disability:
STATISTIC |
NATIONAL RESULT |
NSW RESULT |
Percentage of children and young people aged 0 to 24 with disability[27] |
7.7 |
7.4 |
Percentage of students with disability in schools as identified by the NSW Department of Education[28] |
N/A |
12 |
Percentage of students with disability enrolled in regular classes in mainstream schools[29] |
65.9 |
80 |
Percentage of people with disability aged 15 to 64 whose highest level of education was Year 10 or below[30] |
45.8 |
50.4 |
Percentage of people without disability aged 15 to 64 whose highest level of education was Year 10 or below[31] |
25.7 |
28.8 |
Percentage of people with disability who have completed Year 12[32] |
41 |
41.9 |
Percentage of people without disability who have completed Year 12[33] |
62.8 |
63.5 |
Percentage of people with disability who have completed a Bachelor Degree or higher[34] |
17 |
18.6 |
Percentage of people without disability who have completed a Bachelor Degree or higher[35] |
30.1 |
31.8 |
Percentage of young people with disability aged 15 to 24 years with disability who either work, study or do a combination of both on a full time basis[36] |
38 |
Not available |
Percentage of young people without disability aged 15 to 24 years with disability who either work, study or do a combination of both on a full time basis[37] |
56 |
Not available |
Labour force participation rate of people with disability[38] |
53.4 |
51.2 |
Labour force participation rate of people without disability[39] |
83.2 |
82.8 |
Unemployment rate of people with disability[40] |
10 |
8.2 |
Unemployment rate of people without disability[41] |
5.3 |
4.8 |
The value and importance of education is deeply embedded in the Australian community and internationally. In addition, the benefits of education to children and young people in providing opportunities for future social and economic participation is widely recognised and clearly established in research evidence.[42]
At an individual level, international studies have identified a clear link between education attainment and positive outcomes across a range of life areas including employment, poverty and health. This was demonstrated by an Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development report, which states that people “with high educational attainment generally have better health, are more socially engaged, and have higher employment rates and higher relative earnings.”[43]
The impact of inadequate education provision on the life outcomes for children and young people with disability is profound. CYDA is concerned that the present education system is not providing students with disability with the necessary knowledge, skills and resources to support future meaningful social, community and economic participation post school. It is also believed that the affording of a quality and inclusive education is fundamental to the advancement of human rights of people with disability and progressing equality.
Education experiences of NSW students with disability
CYDA undertakes an annual national survey regarding the education experiences of students with disability. The survey covers a range of issues to provide a snapshot of current experiences nationwide. In 2016 the survey had 1396 respondents, with 28 percent being from NSW. A summary of the NSW results is provided below:
QUESTION |
RESPONSES |
RESULT % |
In what capacity are you completing the survey? |
Young person with disability |
8 |
Parent |
78 |
|
Other family member |
3 |
|
Other |
11 |
|
What type of area do you live in? |
Regional |
57 |
Remote |
3 |
|
Metropolitan |
40 |
|
Are you from a Non-English Speaking Background? |
Yes |
8 |
No |
92 |
|
Are you of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background? |
Yes, Aboriginal |
5 |
Yes, Torres Strait Islander |
1 |
|
No |
94 |
|
How old is the student? |
<5 |
2 |
5 to 12 |
54 |
|
12 to 18 |
34 |
|
19+ |
4 |
|
Not stated |
6 |
|
What is the student’s gender? |
Female |
33 |
Male |
66 |
|
Other |
1 |
|
What type of school does the student attend? |
Government |
67 |
Non-government |
23 |
|
Home schooling |
2 |
|
Distance education or e-Learning |
3 |
|
Other (including pre-school, higher education, or not at school) |
5 |
|
What type of setting is the student's school? |
Mainstream school |
70 |
Special school |
22 |
|
Dual enrolment |
8 |
|
If in a mainstream school, what type of class is the student enrolled in? |
Regular class |
79 |
Special unit |
16 |
|
Other (including gifted, transition, and life skills programs) |
5 |
|
Does the student attend school full time? |
Yes |
92 |
No |
8 |
|
Does the student have a diagnosed disability or learning difference? |
Yes |
95 |
No |
5 |
QUESTION |
RESPONSES |
RESULT % |
Has the student been refused enrolment? |
Yes |
7 |
No |
93 |
|
Is the student receiving specific support at school because of a disability or learning difference? |
Yes |
75 |
No |
25 |
|
Is the student eligible for additional specific funding because of a disability or learning difference? |
Yes |
57 |
No |
43 |
|
Do you think the level of support the student receives at school is adequate? |
Yes |
36 |
No |
64 |
|
Is the student receiving paid support through a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Individual Funding Package? |
Yes |
10 |
No |
90 |
|
If yes, are there any supports that the NDIS funds for the student to assist in accessing education? |
Yes (including access to specialist allied health, transport, classroom support) |
16 |
No |
84 |
|
Has the student been excluded from events or activities at school? |
Yes |
36 |
No |
64 |
|
Has the student experienced bullying at school? |
Yes |
51 |
No |
49 |
|
Has the student experienced restraint at school? |
Yes |
20 |
No |
80 |
|
Has the student experienced seclusion at school? |
Yes |
19 |
No |
81 |
|
Does the student have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) in place? |
Yes |
65 |
No |
35 |
|
If yes, were you involved in the development of the IEP? |
Yes |
86 |
No |
14 |
|
Have you heard of the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) for students with disability? |
Yes |
23 |
No |
77 |
|
Has the student been included in the NCCD to date? |
Yes |
18 |
No |
82 |
|
If yes, Were you consulted around what information was provided regarding the student and their support needs? |
Yes |
35 |
No |
65 |
Key considerations for students with disability
Below is a summary of key barriers and challenges experienced by students with disability within the present NSW education system, including direct experiences of students:
Systemic Culture of Low Expectations
Ableism refers to culturally and historically embedded attitudes and practices arising from the perception that people with disability are inferior to people without disability. These attitudes are frequently encountered in the broader Australian community, as well as the education system, which has a deeply entrenched culture of low expectations in relation to students with disability.
The value of education, which is so highly thought of and applied to children without disability, is often seen as inapplicable or irrelevant for students with disability. Assumptions are often made about limitations regarding what and how students with disability will learn and what their future life opportunities will be. Underlying assumptions frequently position students with disability as ‘incapable’ or a ‘burden.’ Further, poor educational attainment is often attributed to the impact of disability without identification or consideration of systemic barriers.
The importance of school culture to developing a quality, inclusive education system is repeatedly referenced in the General Comment on the Right to Inclusive Education. In particular, it highlights the need to build “educational environments in which the approach to learning, the culture of the educational institution and the curriculum itself reflect the value of diversity.”[44] Further, it states an inclusive education system must by definition afford all students the status of a learner and ensure “high expectations are established for all learners, including learners with disabilities.”[45]
This issue was also raised in the Audit Office of NSW 2016 report into Supporting Students with Disability in NSW Public Schools, which stated that “teachers’ attitudes towards disability are critical in determining how well schools support their students.”[46] The audit found that school culture represents a key barrier to the provision of quality education support for NSW students with disability.[47]
(My child was) made to feel unwelcome, mostly in Primary School. Teachers have made my child feel dumb, inadequate and incompetent. (My child has been) told that he is not allowed to leave until work is completed although it is on his Individual Education Plan that he needs extra time. My child…is doing class activities from the 'living skills' curriculum when he should be studying the mainstream curriculum at his age level. The teacher straight out said (my daughter) “would be too hard to teach.” A smaller independent school told us they would not be able to accommodate our son before they met him or saw any reports. We stated that he was incredibly bright but needed support with social skills. They told us not to waste our time. |
Inadequate Funding
Young people and families have raised a range of concerns consistently with CYDA regarding funding for students with disability in NSW. Key issues include barriers in accessing funding, insufficient amounts of funding available, funding being withdrawn, limited communication regarding funding applications and decisions and a lack of accountability around the outcomes funding is being used to support.
I think the process to receive funding or assistance is pathetic as well as heartbreaking. Our son could have been so much further ahead in his learning if the Department had policies in place that supported special needs kids regardless of their diagnosis! It was not until my son was FINALLY diagnosed with autism at age eight that we received funding and support. However the array of other support needs he has DIDN’T count toward helping him at school. (My daughter) is not receiving assistance in class so is missing a lot of the learning…The teacher does not have the time to help her. From the time of enrolment, I have been trying to get funding and support for my son but all I keep hearing is “he doesn't meet the criteria for funding”…It's heartbreaking to know the struggles my boy has. At some point someone decided that my son was no longer eligible for funding because he was too ‘functional.’ He has dropped from being an above average student to an average one in three years. There isn't enough funding to give (my daughter) the support that she needs for the whole day. |
A significant concern is that it is commonly assumed by schools and families that there is no requirement for the provision of adjustments and modifications by schools unless the child concerned qualifies for Integration Funding Support. Despite a range of initiatives designed to increase awareness of obligations included in the Disability Standards for Education, such as through the Every Student, Every School initiative,[48] CYDA continues to hear that this incorrect assumption is made.
My son…would benefit most from a mainstream education with some additional support. This has been denied as his diagnosis does not attract any additional funding for a mainstream school. Instead he is forced into a support placement, segregated from the broader school community and denied any social opportunities. (My child is) supposed to be receiving assisted support and adjustment to curriculum however this is not happening. (There is) no funding and learning support staff are too busy to help my child. The school continue to refuse to use the equipment, resources and supports (my child) requires. |
It is also critical that adequate funding is available to implement systemic reforms to ensure the education system can meet the needs of students with disability. This is discussed in further detail under term of reference E.
There are undoubtedly other critical areas of education reform required but it cannot be denied that adequate funding is vital to the success of any reform program implemented for students with disability. This is reflected in the inclusive education General Comment, which notes that appropriate financial and human resources must be invested to achieve a genuinely inclusive education system.[49]
School Choice
School choice for students with disability is highly limited. Students with disability are frequently denied enrolment in their local school. Schools often state they ‘do not have the capacity to support students with disability.’ In other cases, families are made to feel so unwelcome or that their child would be such an inordinate burden that they are deterred from pursuing enrolment.
It is also reported to CYDA that students have such a poor experience at a particular school that families elect to change schools. In these cases, there is little choice, despite students not being formally denied enrolment.
I pay for my son to attend private school. He was refused at a public school (because his needs are too high). Our local mainstream school said it wasn’t their role to take (my child) and that I should go to a special school. We wanted (our son) to go to our local Catholic school as I went there as a child. They weren't interested in having him there and said they wouldn't get the funding needed to support him and that we should put him in the public system. Not every school officially refused enrolment but when we inquired it was made fairly obvious we were not welcome. My son was expelled from our only zoned school in Grade One. The next two closest schools refused to accept him. I then began ringing around and more than 40 government primary schools refused to take him…In the end the education department said I could choose any school and they would compel the school to take him. I chose the least resistant school, which is a 30 to 45 minute drive from home. |
CYDA is also increasingly being informed of students being home schooled or enrolling in distance education due to the sustained failure of the education system to meet their needs. This was recognised in the 2014 NSW inquiry into Home Schooling in New South Wales.[50] Again, this trend demonstrates that the school system is failing to meet the needs of students with disability.
(My son) needs a scribe 80% of the time to help with decoding information and especially for maths. I was told this is impossible and we tried four schools. I now home school which was not my choice! I was told that (my son’s) physical disability was too “great” and that I would only get enough support for him for a couple of hours a week. I home schooled him for four years and eventually put him into a School for Specific Purposes where he learns very little. Before enrolment in distance education, our child experienced bullying at a mainstream public school…This was a main reason for withdrawing our son from attending face to face school, after a great increase in already concerning anxiety levels. |
Denial of Full Time School Attendance
Students with disability frequently experience discrimination in relation to school attendance. Schools often stipulate attendance cannot be full time and state this is due to lack of resources or capacity of the school.
I had to write a letter of complaint to the Department of Education to get (my son) a school placement…The support unit we tried refused to let him stay more than two hours a day. The school was not equipped or trained to be able to provide a safe environment for my son…He was restricted to two hours a day and excluded from his class. No support is being provided at present even though funding is still being given to the school for my son's enrolment. He is not attending school at all. |
Workforce Capacity
Workforce capacity is of critical importance in ensuring access to a quality education for all students. Educational staff, particularly teachers and leadership positions within schools such as principals and year level coordinators, are key gatekeepers in terms of access to education. However, a lack of expertise regarding inclusive education and meeting the needs of students with disability among education staff is frequently reported to CYDA.
It is reported to CYDA that a lack of understanding about inclusive education among school staff, including valuing difference as a positive, is common. This informs negative attitudes that position disability as inability.
CYDA has also noted that ‘inclusive education’ is frequently misunderstood or misappropriated within the education system. Too often a student’s physical presence in an education setting is mistakenly perceived to indicate the student’s participation and inclusion. In other cases, the term ‘inclusion’ is manipulated to suit the existing practice of education providers.[51] An example is segregated education settings being referred to as ‘inclusive.’
(My child’s) Year One teacher called him ‘lazy’ and would keep him in at lunch because he hadn’t finished his work, no matter how many times his occupational therapist came and explained his (needs). (My daughter) often gets forgotten and some teachers don’t accept her dyslexia. She gets into trouble for not 'getting it.' In (my child’s) first high school, the staff working with the students lacked appropriate training and knowledge of disability issues and support options. The attitude was always that the students had to do better. |
Further, CYDA is frequently informed of education staff lacking the required expertise to meet the specific educational needs of individual students. This represents a key barrier to students with disability accessing education.
In primary school if my son failed to understand a verbal instruction he was put in a corner and left without any work until he learned to listen .This meant that for many years his books were left empty and nothing was ever done about this. If he got upset at this treatment they would put him in a store room! I would (like to see) more professional development for my child's teacher and more relief time for her to prepare lessons so my child is fully included. (Teachers) try their best, but I feel my son misses out on a lot of activities due to their inability to assist him in participating. (My son’s) learning plan is never up to date. The demands on his teachers are great. He and they need support to deliver the best outcome for him. Whilst (my daughter) gets some good support from teachers of the vision impaired she would benefit from more access to appropriate technology and training in how to use it, and for regular teaching staff to provide easy access to accessible materials such as electronic documents. Work is very rarely individualised and is often too far above my son's current skill level therefore setting him up to fail. I don’t think (my daughter) receives enough support in the classroom due to limited training in alternative communication options. My child doesn't get the attention required due to staffing limitations. He is not being engaged at school or encouraged to learn or try new things. |
Another consequence of the lack of expertise within schools is the misidentification of behaviour support needs, with students frequently being viewed and treated as ‘naughty.’ Often, a disciplinary response to a student’s behaviour support needs leads to use of punishment, including suspension and expulsion, rather than providing appropriate support.
Teachers do not understand when my child argues that he is trying to control his environment. They assume he is being disrespectful and punish, instead of explaining and supporting. We did apply for a (different) school after many suspensions. The Principal told me that she wouldn't stop until (my son) was expelled. My daughter…was suspended 12 times in two years by one high school she attended. My child was suspended in term four for eight weeks. The first few days were full suspension, after that he was very slowly allowed back into the school day…All they did was isolate my son further for his anxiety and actually contribute to the problem. (My child) was suspended eight times when he was in Grade Two…The school used suspension to legitimise their actions to remove us from the school. |
The United Nations General Comment on the Right to Inclusive Education states that a key component of an inclusive education system is ‘supported teachers and staff’ who “receive the education and training they need to give them the core values and competencies to accommodate inclusive learning environments.”[52]
Exclusion
Students with disability frequently experience exclusion in schools. This includes complete exclusion from an educational setting, such as denied enrolment, as well as exclusion from particular aspects of the curriculum or school activities such as camps or sports days. There can also be a refusal of the school to make accommodations to ensure the student can participate, exclusion from classwork, activities and extracurricular activities or partial enrolment. This directly restricts opportunities for participation in learning and represents a barrier to accessing a quality, inclusive education.
(My daughter) has been kicked out of choir and may not attend camp this year as there is no support. (My child was) excluded from excursions in the past. I was once told that “he wouldn't gain anything from it anyway!" (My child) was denied access to mainstream performing arts and also languages last year. He was also excluded from maths until I intervened…The current Principal does not seem to believe in inclusion, citing cost as the main factor. (In Primary School) my son was excluded from the playground, all excursions, including ones I volunteered to go on to accompany him, any school experiences that involved outside classroom working, sport, physical education and school carnivals. If there is a school excursion one of us (parents) has to go otherwise our son wouldn't be able to attend. When school has a special presentation or assembly our son is left to sit with us, we expected he should stay with his class and be encouraged to join in. |
Accountability
The present education system provides limited accountability for students with disability in relation to academic and other learning outcomes. Many existing measures of student attainment in the school system, including the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) and the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or the Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) allow exclusions, with students with disability often not being included.
Some students have individual education programs but these contain goals that are established, implemented and evaluated by schools. There is a prevailing concern that there is no objective input into this process or that collaboration with students and families regarding the development of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) is limited.
The teachers and aides do not consistently apply the supports agreed (upon in) the individual support plan and there is hardly any monitoring of this. (My child’s) IEP did not really have any goals listed for him. |
Family School Engagement
The vast majority of families who contact CYDA are highly engaged in their children’s education and are often or constantly experiencing conflict with their school due to the need to perpetually advocate for educational opportunities and participation for their child which are not afforded in the present inadequate system. Of further concern is the lack of communication from schools regarding education provision for students with disability. Key examples include a lack of consultation and communication around the development of IEPs or access to resources.
Many families are required to expend significant time and energy to ensure their children can access basic education entitlements. This constant need for vigilant advocacy combined with cultural and attitudinal resistance from school staff often leads to relationships between families and schools being conflictual. This creates an additional barrier to having issues resolved and families and schools developing collaborative relationships.
The support (for my child) is disjointed…and communication between the parents, school, aides and teachers, is not easy, reliable or clear. An IEP has only been put in place after a lot of arguing with staff involved. After pushing for funding and an IEP, it took a frustrating amount of time for the Principal to act on the documentation (from allied health professionals). Finally after a year we were involved in an IEP process. |
Post School Transition
Post school transition refers to the period in which young people informally or formally consider and prepare for post school life. It is reported to CYDA that post school transition is typically a variable and ad hoc process for students with disability. This time is fraught with limited information and negative attitudes from schools, employment programs and further education providers. Valuable opportunities such as work experience or part time employment are also frequently denied. A comprehensive overview of issues relating to post school transition for students with disability is available in CYDA’s issues paper, Post School Transition: The Experiences of Students with Disability (see Appendix B).
Abuse, Restraint and Seclusion
CYDA is frequently informed of students with disability experiencing abuse in education settings. This includes blatant examples that are clearly defined as abuse, such as physical and sexual assault. However, students with disability also experience incidents that are often not considered abuse because the child involved has a disability. Restraint and seclusion that is justified as ‘behaviour management’ is an example of this. Another example is students being denied the opportunity to use the toilet while on a school excursion.
CYDA is increasingly being informed of experiences of restraint and seclusion of students with disability. Restraint has been defined as “a range of programs, procedures, and psychosocial techniques that can impede a person’s exercise of choice and self-determination, all of which prevent people from being able to exercise human and legal rights that are ordinarily available to other members of the community.”[53]
Seclusion is “solitary confinement of a person in a room or area (e.g. garden) from which their exit is prevented by a barrier or another person. Seclusion involves situations in which people believe they cannot or should not leave an area without permission.”[54] It is critical that restraint and seclusion is seen as abuse. This issue is discussed further under term of reference E.
An autism-specific school (restrained my daughter) regularly with little understanding of her as a person, her communication or developmental needs. She feared school. (My child was) pinned to the ground by four staff…and (experienced) restraint by being locked in or out of rooms including the bathroom. (My child’s) Year One teacher would not allow him to go to the toilet when needed even though she had been told many times it could cause him to rupture his bowel or bladder if he is made to hold on. (My son was) having a meltdown and was hiding under table and was dragged out. My daughter was physically restrained, (she was) basically bear hugged in her seat so she couldn't get up. When my daughter has a meltdown she's locked in a room with three different adults. (My child) has been locked in a classroom and left to just destroy it instead of trying to calm the situation before it gets to this point. (A) child is placed in an area that is claimed to be a retreat, but is gated and the child cannot exit if they choose to. Teachers need to enter through two locked gates to reach the child. Food, drink and activities were previously seen to be passed through the bars of the gate. The child was unwilling to attend school. A teacher came out to my car and physically removed the child from the car and then proceeded to carry him by the shirt collar and the pants waist (like a bag) up the driveway. The child curled up in my lap and went into a foetal position for 50 minutes. (My child was) restrained and dragged by a teacher. When (my daughter) was distressed she was put in a room by herself without supervision until she was picked up. During mainstream schooling my son was locked in an office with the Principal. During a support class placement, my son reported being regularly physically abused. (My child was) physically restrained from joining with other students at the Christmas parade. On numerous occasions the school had restrained (my son) to stop him from chasing a boy who hurt him. This adds to sensory processing issues and is not beneficial for his sensory development as he already is tactile defensive. (My child experiences) chemical restraint in the form of PRN for behaviours of concern. Physical restraints are used at mealtimes and during episodes of behaviour. I discovered, from limited clues my son gave me, that he had been held in a ‘time out room’ on many occasions throughout the beginning of that year. Due to his poor expressive language he had not been able to tell me what had been happening. As a family we were totally devastated when we discovered what had been happening. The school acted well outside of departmental guidelines…we were NEVER informed when such methods were used, despite written requests demanding to know the full circumstances. My son was grabbed by two teachers/aides, one on each arm. They dragged him backwards with his legs dragging across the floor. They put him outside in a fenced in area and left him there by himself. My son is not violent and could have easily been led away by taking his hand if he got upset. My child has witnessed another child being kept in a restraint thereby appearing to normalise this behaviour. Whether you’re in the restraint or looking at someone else who is restrained, (it) has an impact. (A pelican) belt was used for a prolonged period without an occupational therapist or my approval. It was hidden under (my son’s) shirt and left on for longer than the suggested time. |
In April 2016 CYDA requested information about cases of abuse of students with disability through freedom of information legislation from each state and territory education department. CYDA requested:
Information regarding any complaints, investigations and outcomes regarding incidents of a child protection nature against employees where the alleged victim has been identified as a child with a disability. (CYDA sought) de-identified information regarding any complaints or incidents which occurred from 1 January 2014 to (24 March 2016). Complaints or incidents of a child protection nature would include those involving allegations of violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation (including restrictive practices). (It was requested that) the information include the date the allegation was received, employee type, initial allegation, outcome and action(s) taken as a consequence of the allegation.
The response of the NSW Department of Education is provided for the Committee’s consideration (see Appendix C). The information provided consists of a table of 64 incidents containing the date, employee type, initial allegation and action taken regarding each incident. A range of highly concerning allegations are detailed, including cases of sexual, physical and emotional abuse of students with disability in NSW schools. Of the allegations included, it is reported that 21 were sustained but no action was taken in response.
CYDA is highly concerned about these allegations and the apparent disproportionate response by NSW education authorities. CYDA views these allegations as reflections of an education system in crisis with inadequate safeguards, responses and reporting requirements regarding the safety of students with disability.
Bullying
Bullying represents a persistent and chronic experience for many students with disability. This was clearly illustrated in CYDA’s 2016 survey of the education experiences of students with disability, which found 52% of students with disability experience bullying nationally (51% of NSW respondents).[1] This is significantly higher than the 27% of the total student population who report bullying.[2]
(My child’s) school environment was tolerant of bullying despite Department of Education guidelines. We had to take (our son) out of mainstream because he was relentlessly bullied, tormented, harassed and put in harm’s way by teachers and peers. (My child experienced) physical and verbal bullying, the Principal said “get used to it” and “don't tell mum when bad things happen.” My son experiences bullying on a daily basis. He has been threatened to be killed, stabbed and has been chased by a group of students where I found him hiding in a cupboard when I got home from work. (My child) was pinned down and had a rotten apple core forced to his mouth. My son repeatedly came home with bruises caused by other students during recess and lunch. The school never gave us any explanation. (My daughter) has had teachers make negative comments about her reading in front of the class and show her drawing to the class and say “this is not how it should be done as it is too messy." |
Responses to the inquiry terms of reference
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A) Equitable Access to Resources for Students with a Disability or Special Needs in Regional and Metropolitan Areas
CYDA frequently hears of poor education experiences of students with dis