Effective School Effective School Learning Support TeamsLearning Support Teams

Effective School Effective School Learning Support TeamsLearning Support Teams

Supporting students with additional educational needs

Beverley Milson, Leader, Learning Assistance

• Adjust current STLAs and funding allocations to regions for 3 year period 2007-2009 based on updated BST, ELLA and SNAP data using methodology from the previous triennium (2004-2006)

• In August 2006 regions conduct Primary LAP School Survey to collect additional needs based information

• In September 2006 based on existing processes representative regional primary and secondary committees allocate APLAs, Designated STLAs, STLAs and LAP funds to specific schools for 2007-2009

• Maintain existing support classes (reading), (language) and Early School Support Program provisions as discrete LAP services

• Develop plans to extend professional learning and capacity building of staff

• Provide focused professional learning for school learning support teams

Proposal for Learning Assistance Proposal for Learning Assistance Program 2007-2009: Before 2007Program 2007-2009: Before 2007

AUDITOR-GENERAL’S REPORT

www.audit.nsw.gov.www.audit.nsw.gov.auau

Learning support teams play an important role in supporting students with disabilities.

Learning support teams can also identify any additional learning needs of staff.

Learning support teams may not have the necessary skills to assess student needs

We recommend the Department establish a consistent approach to the operation and professional development of learning support teams.

School Learning Support Teams

• School learning support teams plan and implement whole school programs.

• School learning support teams decide how support is organised.

• The learning support team drives this whole school.

• Whole school programs were able to produce outcomes for all students and showed significant value adding to state-wide assessments.

• Management and operation of school learning support teams was highlighted as an area of need.

DET Policy Website• 1.5 The school learning support team plays a key role in ensuring that the

specific learning needs of students experiencing difficulties in learning are met. (Policy Statement; Assisting students with learning difficulties (2006))

• The school learning support team assists teachers to plan class programs to meet the specific learning needs of all students, including those experiencing difficulties in learning.

• The learning support team coordinates the development , implementation, monitoring and evaluation of learning support plans.

(The Learning Assistance Program webpage)

• School learning support teams will plan for use of STLAs and funding to meet the needs of students experiencing difficulties in learning, including students with learning difficulties, mild intellectual disabilities and language disorders.

• Schools will be required to include learning outcomes for these students and use of STLAs and LAP funding in their school management plans.

(Memoranda to principals 2006)

Role of Learning Support Team

Role of LearningSupport Team

Whole school planning

Composition of Learning Support Team:Whole School Planning

Advisors:Parent representative/sConsultants/APLAsSpecialist teacher/sTAS , AEA, SASS

Composition may alter depending on their focus

Core composition:

Principal/Executive

School counsellor

Head teacher/Year advisor

Support teacher/s e.g. STLA, RR

Class teacher/s

Learning Support Team: Individual Student Planning

Learning support plans

How do we get started?

Identify Regional Team

Who can we call on? What is already available?

Identify focus for teacher support

Outcomes Regional resourcesFor students build on existing initiativesFor teachers utilise expertise within regionFor schools identify support materials

What is the range of learning needs?What can we do?

Plan for action

What? When? Who? How?

Implement Action

Professional support Networking Mentoring

What works best?

Reflect on outcomes

Monitor Collect Information Analyse Information Collate resources

How can we sustain our networks?

How do we replicate success?

Who can we call on?

School learning support teams:

Primary schools Secondary schools

Regional teams:

Student Services OfficersDisability Programs ConsultantsAssistant Principals Learning AssistanceStudent Welfare ConsultantsLiteracy/Numeracy ConsultantsQuality Teaching Consultants

What is already available in schools?

• To assist school literacy or learning support teams to implement a whole school approach to improving student outcomes

• Overview of key elements and outcomes

• Planning matrix to identify priorities and levels of implementation

• Suggested strategies for improving school performance

What is already available in Regions?

LearningLearningSupport TeamsSupport Teams

Adapted by Northern Sydney Region from a support document developed by Lyn Howie, APLA, Lismore, North Coast RegionLyn Howie, APLA, Lismore, North Coast Region

Learning Support Team Matrix

4 Focus Areas:Outcomes and Levels

Student support & development

Teaching & learning

School organisation & Resource management

Community Participation

What is available on the Internet?

Search on internet: Learning support teams

The Three Rs of Diversity: Recognise, Respect and Respond:

Developing your model: 6-8 Stages depending on school size (H.O.)– Initial identification– Class-based assessment– Collaboration with teaching team– Collaboration with learning support team– School based assessment and support– Collaboration with parents, caregivers, family– Specialised assessment– Ongoing monitoring, review and evaluation

What is available on the Internet?

Education and Training Department websites (H.O. email links)

Queensland Government: - Resources page for learning support teams - Individual Education Plans –Stages of the process

Western Australian Department of Education and Training:- Website for learning support resources: The Centre for Inclusive

Schooling: Learning Support Coordinators (H.O.)

Tasmania:- Inclusion of students with disabilities in regular schools policy

Victoria:- Program for students with disabilities and language support handbook

What is available through DET Online Learning?

SUPPORTING

LEARNING SUPPORT TEAMS THROUGH

LARK ONLINE

Kerry Long, Manager, School based assessment and reporting