Michele A. Meredith (PhD)Special Education Coordinator

Ministry of Education

Kingston, Jamaica

Creating Pathways to Inclusive Education: The Jamaican Experience

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Contents

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• Background

• Educational Landscape

• Service Coverage for Special Education

• System Challenge

• Response: Education System Transformation and Reform

•Management of Special NeedsThe Road Ahead

Background: Map of Jamaica

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Background: School Map of Jamaica

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Educational Landscape

• Access and Equity – Free education (1970’s)

•Greater access for all•Government aid •More schools constructed•Assistance for uniforms, meals

• Equitable access for enrolment and access to schools

•Common Entrance Examination•Independent and Government-aided schools

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Student Engagement

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Student Engagement

Mathematics Fair Read Across Jamaica

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Capacity Building Cultural Exposure

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Service Coverage for Special Education

Formal Education for Special Needs

•Continued educational reform

• Free education

• Organized advocacy through NGOs

•Bi-lateral agreement Netherlands/Jamaican governments (1970s)

Special Education Training

Regional diagnostic, therapeutic and research facility

Special Education (self-contained) Units across the island

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Service Coverage for Special Education

Educational Provision

• Segregated and integrated settings serving varied areas of

disability:• Physical • Intellectual• Sensory• Socio-emotional

• Primary and secondary schools• Private and government-owned schools

• Increased teacher training programmes in special education

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Performance Challenges• Grade Four Benchmarks

• Grade Six Achievement Tests

• Secondary school exit exams

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System Challenge •Underperformance

•Underachievement

•Inequity

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Response: System Transformation and Reform • Transformation Activities and Initiatives

•Introduction of systems to for improved governance and management• National College of Educational Leadership

• Responsible for the training of principals

• National Education Inspectorate• Responsible for inspection and monitoring for school improvement

•Introduction of agencies to promote and support professional development and capacity-building

• Jamaica Teaching Council• Responsible for licensure and training

• Jamaica Tertiary Commission

• Responsible for monitoring of tertiary institutions

•Space Rationalization and School Construction• Phasing out of a shift system• Construction of new schools

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Response: System Transformation and Reform

• Transformation Activities and Initiatives (cont’d)

•Curriculum, Teaching and Learning; Behaviour Management and

Monitoring

• Literacy and Numeracy

• Introduction of a National Standard Curriculum

• Quality Assurance Unit

•Parent Education and Support

• National Parenting Support Commission

•Operational Decentralization

• Increased autonomy of Regional Education Offices

•National Parenting Support Commission

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Response: System Transformation and Reform

•Curriculum, Teaching and Learning; Behaviour Management and

Monitoring

• Literacy and Numeracy

• Introduction of a National Standard Curriculum

SPECIAL NEEDS

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Management of Special Needs

Task Force (2014) Recommendations:

•Conduct an audit of the special education system

•Conduct a demographic study to identify populations and disability categories

•Adopt and implement a Policy on Special Education

•Provide regulatory amendments to the Education Act of 1980/Code of Regulations

•Design and implement a monitoring and evaluation system to gauge the quality of service provision and delivery

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Management of Special Needs

Task Force Recommendations:

•Introduce a school-to-work transition model for preparation for employment, community integration, and independent living.

•Develop a formal programme to promote inter-sectoral and multidisciplinary approach to provide educational services.

•Develop guidelines that will foster and enhance private and public sector partnerships to support special education. 

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Management of Special Needs• Identification and Intervention

•Proficiency Pathway•Child Find

• Capacity building

•Sensitization of school leadership and practitioners

• Professional Development

•Ministry of Education officer corps

• Inclusive approach to education

•Sustainable Programmes• Alternative Secondary Education Programme • Programme for Advanced Learners

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• Public Education and Parent Support

•National Parenting Support Commission•Regional information events

• Curriculum Adaptation

•Curriculum for moderate to severe intellectual disabilities

• Stakeholder Engagement

• Legislative Support

•Policy on Special Education• Amendments to the Education Act (1980)• Amendments to the Code of Regulations

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Management of Special Needs

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The Way Forward

Capacity Building

Stakeholder Engagement

Curriculum

Adaptation

SustainableProgrammes

Public

Education

Legislation

Identification and

Intervention