Special Education
Parents and schools run out of patience for promised learning support
A mother of two children with additional learning needs is exasperated by the lack of in-school specialist support after wrestling with the education system for over a decade. Audio
New special ed roles 'flawed' and 'unworkable' - union
The Educational Institute is urging its members to call for a halt of the roll-out of 623 new special education jobs which it says are flawed, unworkable and inequitable. The union has asked… Audio
Hold teachers to account on special education needs - parents
Teachers who fail to adapt their teaching for children with learning and behaviour problems need to be held to account, parents and education experts say.
Teachers fear govt's plans for special education are too murky
Teachers working in special education are taking a cautiously optimistic view of the government's plan to bring in 600 support staff. Audio
ERO to investigate special education in schools
The Education Review Office will conduct a national review of special education in schools next year. It says schools have alerted it to a growing number of children with conditions including autism… Audio
Disabled students' post-school transition lacking - advocate
A researcher has found parents keep their disabled children at school as long as possible to delay the shift into the adult world.
Seclusion rooms a symptom of under-funding, advocates say
Advocates for children with disabilities say seclusion rooms are a symptom of under-funding of the special education system.
Locking away autistic boy 'wrong on so many levels'
The parents of a second special needs child have come forward to say he has been locked in a small cell-like room at Wellington's Miramar Central School. Video, Audio
United call for special education changes
Disability and education groups have banded together to urge the Government to dramatically improve special education. Audio
Parents blame under-funding for special education problems
Under-funding is at the heart of problems with special education, parents say, as a new report highlights problems with the system.
Ministry of Education defends special education funding shuffle
Education Ministry's special education director says shifting funding from schoolchildren to under-5s will be gradual and won't leave schools high and dry. Audio
Dramatic change in special education planned
The government is considering a dramatic shift in special education funding from school-aged children to under-5s. They say the money will have a bigger impact if it is spent on younger children. Not… Audio
Secondary principals fear special education disaster
The Government is considering a dramatic shift in special education funding from school-aged children to under-5s. That, secondary school principals say, would be a disaster. Audio
Why is it such a battle to get special needs children the right help in school?
RNZs Education Correspondent John Gerritsen, investigates what's working and what's not in special education, as it faces unprecedented scrutiny from parents, teachers and the government. Audio
Educators want funding for special education overhaul
Parents and educators say the government's overhaul of special education must include more funding. Audio
Children with disabilities missing out as education funding falls short
Special education desperately needs more funding, which should be included in the government's overhaul of the sector, parents and educators say.
Govt promises special education changes
The government is promising to make the special education system simpler and more effective. It says it will start to make changes in the light of public consultation. People have...
Govt to redesign special education
The government is promising a signficant redesign of special education in response to demands from more than 3-thousand parents and teachers. Audio
Special residential school says its being starved of students
Salisbury school for girls caters for secondary students with complex needs, including intellectual disabilities, autism, foetal alcohol syndrome, and developmental and behavioural problems. In 2012… Audio
Teacher aides - who benefits most, teacher or student?
Has a rise in the number of teacher aides in classrooms around the country been matched by a rise in achievement among those students? A startling UK study suggests that teacher aides can have the… Audio
