Difference between revisions of "Disability/Education"
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| style="width: 33.3%;" |'''<big>Ideas</big>''' | | style="width: 33.3%;" |'''<big>Ideas</big>''' | ||
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− | |'''New and TBC: [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/sen-roadmap-moe-professional-development A professional development roadmap to enhance special educational needs (SEN) training will be introduced in 2020 for all educators in mainstream schools]''' which includes: | + | |'''<u>Mainstream Teachers</u>''' |
+ | *'''NIE Pre-Service Training on Special Needs''' features a compulsory 12-hour module on special needs for all beginning teachers | ||
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+ | '''New and TBC: [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/sen-roadmap-moe-professional-development A professional development roadmap to enhance special educational needs (SEN) training will be introduced in 2020 for all educators in mainstream schools]''' which includes: | ||
*MOE will launch bite-sized online learning resources in phases from this year | *MOE will launch bite-sized online learning resources in phases from this year | ||
*provide more professional development opportunities for educators who “play a more specialised role in SEN support”, including allied educators in learning and behavioural support, teachers trained in special needs, as well as the school’s management team | *provide more professional development opportunities for educators who “play a more specialised role in SEN support”, including allied educators in learning and behavioural support, teachers trained in special needs, as well as the school’s management team | ||
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+ | NIE training does not offer depth of learning, particularly the practical learning and hands-on experience needed to prepare teachers to manage a class with students with disabilities<ref>http://www.dpa.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Incusion-in-Education2.pdf</ref> | ||
+ | *Anecdotal: "The lesson is really only 4-6 hours, across 1-2 lessons" | ||
+ | |TSNs in St. Anthony's Canossian Secondary School developed an in-house training module | ||
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|'''Formal Education Certification''' | |'''Formal Education Certification''' |
Revision as of 03:16, 1 April 2020
Contents
- 1 Overview & Synopsis
- 2 Key Statistics & Figures
- 3 Theory of Change
- 4 Areas of Needs
- 4.1 Educators are extensively trained → PWDs are supported by qualified educators
- 4.2 School infrastructure and learning environments meet accessibility standards → PWDs can access and participate in different levels and types of education over the life course
- 4.3 Reasonable accommodations are made to meet the individualised, unique needs of different students
- 4.4 PWDs can access and participate in different levels and types of education over the life course → PWDs are equipped with skills for work and life
- 4.5 PWDs are equipped with skills for work and life → Disabled people have access to an inclusive education which nurtures their varied potentials towards academic, occupational and social development
- 5 Segregated or Desegregated Education?
Overview & Synopsis
The special education sector appears to suffer from low remuneration compared to those in the mainstream education sector.
Knowledge Gaps
SPED teachers appear to face a high turnover - but need actual data on turnover vs. mainstream schools
Policy Advocacy
Actionable Areas
Key Statistics & Figures
Prevalence rate
2.1% of the student population has disabilities, based on the number of reported cases of students with sensory impairment, physical impairment, autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. The total student population is put at approximately 460,000[1]
There are 31,000 students with special needs (80% mainstream school, 20% SPED)[2] ; 20,000 children with SEN have enrolled in mainstream schools[3]
About 1% of students across publicly-funded universities, polytechnics and ITEs have some form of disability[4]
Theory of Change
Short-Term Outcomes(skills, knowledge, attitudes) | Mid-Term Outcomes(behaviours) | Long-Term Outcomes(impact) | Social Impact | |||
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Educators are extensively trained | → | PWDs are supported by qualified educators | → | PWDs are equipped with skills for work and life (please reference the Employment page) | → | Disabled people have access to an inclusive education which nurtures their varied potentials towards academic, occupational and social development |
School infrastructure and learning environments meet accessibility standards | → | PWDs can access and participate in different levels and types of education over the life course | → | |||
Reasonable accommodations are made to meet the individualised, unique needs of different students | → |
Trained Educators | |||
Accessible Infrastructure | |||
Social Accommodation |
Key Statistics and Figures | Key Gaps | Knowledge Gaps |
Teacher training in the area of special needs do not emphasise practical learning and hands-on experience needed to manage a class of students with disabilities | There are many concerns about the implications of the revised Compulsory Education Act:
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Parents report difficulties enrolling children with preschools[35]:
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There is a limited number of SPED schools, with long waiting lists for schools up to two years. Parents may contribute to long waiting lists by fixating on particular schools more than others. | ||
7 in 10 Singaporeans support the idea of inclusive education , but only 1 in 10 Singaporeans is sure about how to interact with a child with special needs[5] | ||
Areas of Needs
Educators are extensively trained → PWDs are supported by qualified educators
- There are certification pathways for educators in SPED and mainstream settings in the area of SEN; however, the issue is whether certifications are adequate, and attracting people to take on this training and career in the first place.
- For mainstream teachers, the compulsory 12-hour module on special needs does not offer in-depth learning, and there is no follow-up subsequently to ensure that teachers know how to manage practically.
- SPED teachers face unattractive salaries and burnout.
- The 500 allied educators hired by MOE are not adequately trained in terms of behavioural management and lack clarity on their roles and expectations vis-a-vis the teachers.
Programmes | Gaps | Ideas |
Mainstream Teachers
New and TBC: A professional development roadmap to enhance special educational needs (SEN) training will be introduced in 2020 for all educators in mainstream schools which includes:
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NIE training does not offer depth of learning, particularly the practical learning and hands-on experience needed to prepare teachers to manage a class with students with disabilities[6]
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TSNs in St. Anthony's Canossian Secondary School developed an in-house training module |
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Formal Education Certification
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Allied Educators (Learning and Behavioural Support)
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Teachers Trained in Special Needs (TSN) Scheme
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School infrastructure and learning environments meet accessibility standards → PWDs can access and participate in different levels and types of education over the life course
- The Revised Compulsory Education Act will ensure that most children with special needs aged 6-15 attend school; however there are concerns about its implementation (e.g. affordability of SPED schools, caregiving and transport arrangements, readiness of schools and special needs educators to accept a higher intake).
- There is a plethora of financial assistance and transport support from SG Enable, but the affordability of education remains a challenge to families more affected by costs involved in schooling a special needs child, especially those with severe conditions.
- The Revised Compulsory Education Act — concerns about implications:
- Are there enough teachers trained in special needs?
- Are allied educators being adequately supported?
- While primary school education is nearly free, SPED schooling can cost more – appears to go against UNCRPD Article 24, which call for “free and compulsory primary education”
- Increased costs in schooling a special needs child—transporting a child needing a wheelchair to school, to other needs such as speech and occupational therapy, high fees for those with severe conditions
- Opportunity costs can be high for children with autism, such as forgoing Applied Behaviour Analysis therapy which would have better equipped children with behavioural and learning capabilities necessary for school in the first place
- SPED schools already have long waiting lists. Can they cope?
- How would this implicate SPED school funding?
- Will special needs students be assessed at the same level as mainstream students in certain areas?
- Are there adequate caregiving and transport provisions availed?
Programmes | Gaps | Ideas |
Mainstream Primary Schools
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Mainstream Secondary Schools
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Special Education (SPED) Schools
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Tertiary Institutions (Polys/ITEs/JCs/CI/Universities & Lasalle/NAFA)
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Special Student Care Centres
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Community Educational Support Services
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Financial & Transport Support
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Increase the means testing of Assistive Technology Fund to cover more persons with disabilities from lower-middle income households |
Reasonable accommodations are made to meet the individualised, unique needs of different students
- A handful of specialised mainstream primary and secondary schools have facilities and support for those with sensory, physical and learning disabilities; however, educators in mainstream schools generally lack the ability to engage meaningfully with students with special needs, their students might discriminate or even engage in bullying, and their parents may even resent having a special needs child in proximity
- Tertiary institutions have special education needs units, disability support offices or equivalent, though these services tend to be unstructured and unsystematic
Programmes | Gaps | Ideas |
Mainstream Primary Schools
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Mainstream Secondary Schools
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Shadow Teachers
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Special Education (SPED) Schools
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Satellite Partnerships |
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Tertiary Institutions (Polys/ITEs/JCs/CI/Universities & Lasalle/NAFA)
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ITE's Buddy’IN
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PWDs can access and participate in different levels and types of education over the life course → PWDs are equipped with skills for work and life
- Many mainstream preschools are reluctant to take in children with special needs because their facilities and their teachers are not equipped, and there are only a handful of inclusive preschools & ICCPs.
- While private pre-schools are better in quality and accessibility, they may not be affordable to all parents.
Programmes | Gaps | Ideas |
Inclusive Preschools
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Integrated Child Care Programme (ICCP)
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PWDs are equipped with skills for work and life → Disabled people have access to an inclusive education which nurtures their varied potentials towards academic, occupational and social development
- Vocational training in SPED is structured with a Framework for Vocational Education in place, but it tends to under-emphasise soft skills required for employment, and has not kept up to date with automation and other market developments.
- While SPED graduates typically learn how to be independent, those with developmental disabilities have a harder time retaining ADL skills upon exiting school. Newer living skills are also increasingly pertinent in a digital age, such as digital literacy and cyber-wellness.
- Overlaps with the Employment page
Programmes | Gaps | Ideas |
Special Education (SPED) Schools
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School-to-Work (S2W) Transition Programme
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Vocational Certification Programmes
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- ↑ https://www.msf.gov.sg/policies/Disabilities-and-Special-Needs/Documents/Enabling%20Masterplan%203%20(revised%2013%20Jan%202017).pdf
- ↑ https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/more-support-for-allied-educators-help-special-needs-students-10053202
- ↑ https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/professionals-working-with-special-needs-kids-face-burnout-poll
- ↑ https://www.msf.gov.sg/policies/International-Conventions/Documents/Singapore%20CRPD%20Report%20-%20final.pdf
- ↑ http://www.lienfoundation.org/sites/default/files/FINAL%20-%20Inclusive%20Attitudes%20Survey%20Part%201_30May16.pdf
- ↑ http://www.dpa.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Incusion-in-Education2.pdf
- ↑ https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/more-support-for-allied-educators-help-special-needs-students-10053202
- ↑ https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/professionals-working-with-special-needs-kids-face-burnout-poll
- ↑ https://www.todayonline.com/voices/retain-special-educators-cut-burnout-rate
- ↑ https://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-on-the-web/special-education-teachers-must-be-given-enough-support
- ↑ https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/big-read-mainstream-schools-children-learning-disabilities-still-face-challenges
- ↑ https://www.moe.gov.sg/careers/special-education-teachers
- ↑ https://www.ncss.gov.sg/NCSS/media/NCSS_SMD/Salary%20Guidelines/FY2018_SocialServiceSector_SalaryGuidelines.pdf
- ↑ https://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-on-the-web/special-education-teachers-must-be-given-enough-support
- ↑ National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC). (2017). Issues faced by people with disabilities in Singapore. Retrieved from https://www.nvpc.org.sg/resources/report-on-issues-faced-by-people-with-disabilities-in-singapore
- ↑ http://www.drryanduffy.com/uploads/3/1/7/2/31724447/duffy__dik_2013.pdf https://www.researchgate.net/publication/240280400_Calling_and_Vocation_at_Work http://faculty.som.yale.edu/amywrzesniewski/documents/Jobscareersandcallings.pdf
- ↑ https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/big-read-mainstream-schools-children-learning-disabilities-still-face-challenges
- ↑ https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/more-support-for-allied-educators-help-special-needs-students-10053202
- ↑ https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/big-read-allied-educator-plays-school-mummy-special-needs-students
- ↑ National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC). (2017). Issues faced by people with disabilities in Singapore. Retrieved from https://www.nvpc.org.sg/resources/report-on-issues-faced-by-people-with-disabilities-in-singapore
- ↑ http://www.dpa.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Incusion-in-Education2.pdf
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 https://www.msf.gov.sg/policies/Disabilities-and-Special-Needs/Documents/Enabling%20Masterplan%203%20(revised%2013%20Jan%202017).pdf
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/moe-doing-more-to-help-disadvantaged-students
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/easing-long-wait-at-sped-schools
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 https://www.moe.gov.sg/education/special-education/mainstream-schools
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 https://www.msf.gov.sg/policies/Disabilities-and-Special-Needs/Enabling-Masterplan-2012-2016/Pages/Education.aspx
- ↑ https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/more-funding-help-for-polytechnic-ite-students-with-special-needs
- ↑ http://www.dpa.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Incusion-in-Education2.pdf
- ↑ http://www.dpa.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Incusion-in-Education2.pdf
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC). (2017). Issues faced by people with disabilities in Singapore. Retrieved from https://www.nvpc.org.sg/resources/report-on-issues-faced-by-people-with-disabilities-in-singapore
- ↑ http://www.includ-ed.eu/sites/default/files/documents/e010101.pdf
- ↑ https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/shadow-teachers-help-kids-special-needs
- ↑ https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/partner-schools-widen-gate-of-friendship
- ↑ https://www.msf.gov.sg/policies/Disabilities-and-Special-Needs/Enabling-Masterplan-2012-2016/Pages/Education.aspx
- ↑ https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/AHEAD/38b602f4-ec53-451c-9be0-5c0bf5d27c0a/UploadedImages/CONFERNCES/2018_AHEAD/Poster_Handouts/Thursday_Proposed_Guidelines/SMU__-_Proposed_Guidelines_for_Disability_Services_in_Singapore_s_Institutes_of_Higher_Learning.pdf
- ↑ http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/subsidies-raised-for-poly-ite-students-with-severe-disabilities-9233082
- ↑ https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/pre-school-takes-in-special-needs-kids-too?xtor=CS3-17
- ↑ https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/sail-playhouse-offers-an-inclusive-preschool-environment
- ↑ National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC). (2017). Issues faced by people with disabilities in Singapore. Retrieved from https://www.nvpc.org.sg/resources/report-on-issues-faced-by-people-with-disabilities-in-singapore
- ↑ http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/inclusive-pre-school-kindle-garden-set-to-double-its-fees
- ↑ http://lienfoundation.org/sites/default/files/Inclusive%20Survey%20Part%202%20-%20Press%20Release%20Lien%20Fdn%20Final%5B1%5D.pdf
- ↑ https://www.sgenable.sg/uploads/ICCP%20Service%20Matrix.pdf
- ↑ http://www.apsn.org.sg/singtel-introduces-cyber-wellness-toolkit-for-special-needs-students/
- ↑ http://www.dpa.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Incusion-in-Education2.pdf
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/people-with-disabilities-losing-jobs-to-technology