quality inclusion and transition for disabled students:
TRANSCRIPT
Quality Inclusion and Transition for Disabled Students: an innovative international framework
Dr. Alan Bruce, Universal Learning Systems
LINQ Conference: Rome, Italy (17 May 2013)
LINQ Conference Rome: May 2013, Dr Alan Bruce ULS/FIESTA Network
Education and disability
Historic pattern of low expectations Institutionalization and ‘special’
needs Embedded imagery of dependence Family, support and care Medicalization of discourse Recognition of achievements Teaching – and learning – around
differenceLINQ Conference Rome: May 2013, Dr Alan Bruce ULS/FIESTA Network
Disability – the impact
Families Communities Culture and beliefs Schooling, learning and research Media and portrayal – the charity
factor Transition and technologies Work, employment and a full life Permanent dependence or rights?
LINQ Conference Rome: May 2013, Dr Alan Bruce ULS/FIESTA Network
Inclusive schools - frameworks
Coordination Multidisciplinary linkage Shared perspectives Meaningful progression Family engagement Flexibility Satisfaction and engagement
LINQ Conference Rome: May 2013, Dr Alan Bruce ULS/FIESTA Network
Reality of barriers
• Lack of consensus – goals, strategies, aims
• Turf issues – professional confusion• Mixed messages• Attitudes – the negative mindset• Misinterpretations• Built environment• Unthinking exclusion• Fragmented planning• Disempowered families
LINQ Conference Rome: May 2013, Dr Alan Bruce ULS/FIESTA Network
Participation to inclusion
Increased numbers in schools The university revolution Impact of legislation and policy European dimensions Technological revolution From psychology to engineering –
the altered environment Shaping the mind – struggles with
attitudesLINQ Conference Rome: May 2013, Dr Alan Bruce ULS/FIESTA Network
Disability research and learning
Adaptive/assistive technologies
Vocational evaluation
Assessment Counselling Materials design
Environmental design
Software design Medical supports Legislation Innovative
pedagogy.
LINQ Conference Rome: May 2013, Dr Alan Bruce ULS/FIESTA Network
TRANSFORMED SOCIETIES - TRANSFORMING EDUCATION SYSTEMS
Models of schooling under critical review The re-positioning of purpose – Ivan Illich From industrial model to emancipatory
discourse Hierarchy, control and managed behavior Appropriating competence in a multipolar
world From teaching to guidance and learning
support Integration and inclusion – the shifting
paradigmLINQ Conference Rome: May 2013, Dr Alan Bruce ULS/FIESTA Network
European frameworks
Lisbon Declaration Inclusive education as principle Significant national variations Separation between health, social
services and education functions and responsibilities
Poor multidisciplinary developement Family exclusion Focus on educational, health and
social needs LINQ Conference Rome: May 2013, Dr Alan Bruce ULS/FIESTA Network
European policy
1994: UNESCO Salamanca Statement and Framework for Action in Special Needs Education
2003: Promoting the Employment and Social Integration of People with Disabilities (EU Council)
2003: Equal Opportunities for Pupils and Students with Disabilities in Education and Training
2006: United Nations Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities
Pupils with disabilities continue to experience inequality in the education system. This has resulted in lower levels of educational qualifications and workforce participation among people with disabilities (relative to those without disabilities), which results in social isolation and economic adversity.
LINQ Conference Rome: May 2013, Dr Alan Bruce ULS/FIESTA Network
The FIESTA Network
The FIESTA (Facilitating Inclusive Education and Supporting the Transition Agenda) network focuses on achieving effective transition through collaborative working for children with special educational needs.
FIESTA is a three-year (2011-2014) network funded by the Education, Audiovisual, Cultural and Executive Agency (EACEA), under the Comenius program of the European Union’s Life Long Learning Program.
LINQ Conference Rome: May 2013, Dr Alan Bruce ULS/FIESTA Network
FIESTA Partners
Ireland (Enable Ireland; Universal Learning Systems)
Bulgaria (Center for Inclusive Education) Romania (EuroEd) Greece (Platon School) Netherlands (CMO; CSG) Scotland (University of Edinburgh) Cyprus (University of Nicosia) Finland (Context Learning) Spain – Catalonia (Pi del Burgar)
LINQ Conference Rome: May 2013, Dr Alan Bruce ULS/FIESTA Network
Focus on Transition
The network facilitates children with special needs - and families - during the following periods of transition: Transition of children with special
needs from pre-school to primary school and primary school to secondary school.
Transition of children with special needs to mainstream environments
LINQ Conference Rome: May 2013, Dr Alan Bruce ULS/FIESTA Network
Transition issues - findings Transition periods for pupils with special needs is
considerably more difficult than for non-disabled peers.
Transition from early years settings to primary and primary to post primary is difficult for professionals due to lack of communication and curriculum differences.
Amount and level of quality information exchanged is not on a continual basis or considered the norm.
Teachers are not privy to pupils’ needs prior to start of the school term.
The process of transition is completed in an ad hoc or informal manner with no formal procedure in place.
LINQ Conference Rome: May 2013, Dr Alan Bruce ULS/FIESTA Network
Methodology of inclusion Importance of various professional frameworks
and how each professional discipline impacts on student learning and development.
A model to provide a holistic approach to child development.
Therapeutic goals seen as part of overall child educational development, not as a separate goal.
Practical tools to reassess existing transition programs.
Cultivating an inclusive and collaborative learning environment, including a self-assessment process.
LINQ Conference Rome: May 2013, Dr Alan Bruce ULS/FIESTA Network
Supporting learning
Focus of motivation Problem solving focus From curriculum to competence Content to meaningful action From formal teaching to creation of bonds
and links Mentoring Models of best practice
LINQ Conference Rome: May 2013, Dr Alan Bruce ULS/FIESTA Network
Identified barriers
Attitudes of parents, teachers and pupils Over-emphasis on attainment and accreditation Lack of diversity - flexibility to meet children’s
needs Professional fears/prejudice, scarcity of teaching
methods and strategies Preoccupation with disability classifications Inability of national policy to shape local
practices Inaccessible buildings Lack of training or professional development for
teachers. LINQ Conference Rome: May 2013, Dr Alan Bruce ULS/FIESTA Network
Facilitative approaches
Access to a flexible curriculum Programmes for staff exchanges and
training Regular reviews Dialogue and communication with all
stakeholders e.g. pupils, parents, school, voluntary organisations.
Facilitation of a collaborative/partnership approach
Active pupil participation Peer mentoring.
LINQ Conference Rome: May 2013, Dr Alan Bruce ULS/FIESTA Network
Innovative research targets To examine best practice examples for SEN
children who transitioned into first year mainstream primary school from either specialized or mainstream environments
To identify examples of best practice SEN children who transitioned from mainstream primary to secondary schools.
Identification of best practice undertaken through a mixed methods approach where children, families and a wide range of professionals participate in the research.
LINQ Conference Rome: May 2013, Dr Alan Bruce ULS/FIESTA Network
Dynamics of transition
Defining needs Defining required supports Developing teams: communication Avoiding traps – the standardized
label Critical and reflective thinking and
practice Empathy Sensitivity and clarity – goal setting Evaluative reviewLINQ Conference Rome: May 2013, Dr Alan Bruce ULS/FIESTA Network
Embedding learning
Modeling Empathic analysis in transition
support Social analytics for multidisciplinary
work Roles and responsibility Advanced digital
competence/assistive technologies Universal Design Comparative research methods Independent living/rights based
models
LINQ Conference Rome: May 2013, Dr Alan Bruce ULS/FIESTA Network
Resources
www.ulsystems.com www.opendiscoveryspaceproject.eu www.fiesta-network.eu
LINQ Conference Rome: May 2013, Dr Alan Bruce ULS/FIESTA Network
Thank you
Dr. Alan BruceUniversal Learning SystemsDublin
LINQ Conference Rome: May 2013, Dr Alan Bruce ULS/FIESTA Network