Special Needs
Advocates for neurodivergent and disabled students applaud potential redirected funding
Advocates for neurodivergent children and students with disabilities say government plans to cut Kahui Ako, which paid schools to work in groups, and redirect the money to support children with… Audio
Covid-19: Mum on autistic son's learning from home
There are calls for alert level 4 rule changes so that specialist teachers can visit disabled children in their homes.
Principals have told RNZ that children with special needs need more support.
… Audio
Children with special needs being excluded from classrooms
Parents of children with special needs are being asked to reduce the hours their children attend school, or take an extended break to avoid being expelled altogether.
Disability advocates say this… Audio
Calling Home: Jessica Gerrity in Saitama, Japan
Jessica Gerrity moved to Japan 18 years ago, without any Japanese language skills. After learning the language, thanks largely to watching TV, it wasn't long before she found herself working as a TV… Audio, Gallery
Teaching as first-choice job: Kiwis below OECD average
Slightly more than half of NZ's teachers are in the job because it is their first career choice, an international survey of teachers in 48 countries and economies has found.
Is the model for funding high-needs education broken?
In 2016-17 more than 9,000 high-needs students were funded by the Ministry of Education through its "Ongoing Resourcing Scheme" or ORS. ORS subsidises the wages for teacher aides. The average number… Audio
Families of special needs children feel forced out of Wairarapa
Families with disabled children are moving out of the Wairarapa because there is no special school or unit, no school wants one, and the Ministry of Education has no plans for one. Video, Audio
Preparing disabled students for life after school
Kathryn Ryan talks with special education advocate and researcher Mark Shanks, who says students with disabilities are being ill-equipped for life after school, because of a fragmented, dysfunctional… Audio
Disabled kids and the uphill battle for education
A new report into the schooling of children with disabilities finds myriad barriers, including exclusion, bullying, poor teaching and funding. The report, by the community law centre Youth Law… Audio
Early Childhood educators welcome more special needs funding
Early childhood centres say increased funding on under 5's with special needs will make a huge difference, as many centres currently have to turn those kids away as they don't have the resources to… Audio
Exclusion of problem students "very common"
The disability advocacy group, the IHC, says schools are demonising children with special needs. John Gerritsen reports. Audio
Emotional submissions to special needs inquiry
A parliamentary inquiry into special needs such as autism has opened with emphatic and often emotional submissions from parents and teachers. Audio
Tearful submissions at special needs inquiry
A parliamentary inquiry into special needs such as autism has opened with emphatic and often emotional submissions from parents and teachers.
Kellly Dugan: a different type of perfect
Christchurch father Kelly Dugan has a three-year-old daughter Lucia with special needs. He speaks openly about the realities and day to day struggles of raising her. Audio
Insight for 15 August: Special Education
Penny Mackay looks at the future for children with special education needs. Audio
Insight for 15 August: Special Education
Penny Mackay looks at the future for children with special education needs. Audio
