Special Education Implementation to be Reviewed

Education Minister Jane Purves has launched a process to review the implementation of Nova Scotia's special education policy as promised earlier this spring.

"It's a good time to evaluate our progress in providing services to Nova Scotia students with special needs," Ms. Purves said. "This review will help us identify what we should do to make improvements."

The minister indicated in May that a review would be conducted. Since then, the terms of reference have been set and a review committee has been formed.

Committee members include parents of children with special needs as well as representatives from organizations involved with children and youth with disabilities, school boards, the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, universities and government departments involved in providing services to students with special needs.

The review process will be defined by the committee over the coming weeks. It will include opportunities for input from the public.

The Department of Education's special education policy manual, released in April of 1996, emphasizes individualized program planning, parental involvement, inclusive schooling, and a team approach to meeting the needs of the special needs students. Both the Education Act and regulations support the policy.

The government's agenda includes a promise to develop a multi-year plan for addressing the need for additional resources for children with special education needs.

"As part of that process it is essential that we first review progress to date and make sure that resources are well spent," Ms. Purves said.

The goal is to give the minister of education an interim report by early winter. Final recommendations are to be completed by spring of 2001.