Assessment of learning challenges, the role of the individual education plan (IEP), effective advocacy and life after high school were some of the topics addressed at a well-attended presentation on special education earlier this month.
School District No.46 (SD46) principal of district special services Debbie Amaral presented a general overview of the systems in place to address the needs of students with learning challenges, then fielded parents' questions, at a packed information session hosted by the Sunshine Alternative School Parents Group at Gibsons' Heritage School.
Amaral first explained that anyone from parent to classroom teacher to family friend may be the first to question whether a child has a learning difficulty.
"Generally there's a concern that's expressed by someone, and it eventually gets back to you, the parent," she said.
From there, she explained, the child is assessed at various assessment tiers, as appropriate. Classroom teachers assess all district children to see if they're meeting learning criteria. Where concerns are identified, a special education teacher assesses the student against norms for their age and grade. Two further assessment tiers are used for respectively fewer and fewer students -the district level assessment, where specialists in areas like speech and language or behavioural challenges assess the student; and the community level, where medical and psychiatric specialists at places like Vancouver's Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children carry out assessments.
From there, parents and educators will collaborate to put together an IEP for the child -a document which can be created for any child, but is required for students with special needs.
Amaral said that once an IEP meeting is set up, parents should talk to their child and come prepared with some goals for the student, such asreading at grade level, being able to manage anger or being able to give a speech in front of the class. Parents, Amaral noted, don't have a veto over the IEP.
"You're not a gatekeeper," she said. "You're a member of a team."
On the topic of advocacy, Amaral said parents need to focus on what they know best - their child.
"Prepare to tell the school about your child," she said. "Focus on your child and your child's needs, not on what you want the school to do."
Regarding life after high school for students with learning challenges, Amaral directed parents to the Sunshine Coast Employment Centre in Sechelt, which offers a variety of employment services. She also stressed that many post-secondary institutions have disability centres and most are welcoming to students with particular learning challenges.
