Special Education Experts Gather in Halifax

Special education experts from around the world have now heard about Nova Scotia's efforts to help more students with special needs to succeed.

Education Minister Jamie Muir outlined the province's Learning for Life plan to 300 delegates to the International Association of Special Education Tuesday, July 12, at their four-day conference in Halifax.

"Our job is to help all students reach their full potential," said Mr. Muir, in a speech on Tuesday evening. "Every student benefits from the Learning for Life investments we have made."

Learning for Life initiatives, such as smaller class sizes, and more books and resources for students and teachers, have already been introduced.

Learning for Life also earmarks more funding for special education teachers and programs, and other resources such as school psychologists and speech language pathologists, to help more students with special needs succeed.

Special education funding in Nova Scotia has increased from $48 million in 1998-99 to $66 million in 2005-06. More than 138 educators and other education professionals have been hired since 1998-99.

"We have hired additional special education professionals, we have purchased assistive technology hardware and software, and we have tried some new approaches to meeting the diverse needs of special education students," said Mr. Muir.

"The Department of Education is working with school boards on a bulk purchasing program for assistive devices, such as voice-recognition software, special keyboards and touch screen technology," said Mr. Muir.

"This will make it easier for boards to acquire the technology they need to help students succeed."

Mr. Muir also mentioned the new Innovation Challenge Fund for new, innovative programs and services for students with special needs.

A tuition support program, launched last year, gives parents an option to send their children for up to two years to designated private schools for students with special needs.

Mr. Muir said the province has also seen marked improvements since it introduced Reading Recovery in Grade 1 classrooms. The province is now involved in research and training needed for a French version of the program for immersion students.

"As a career educator, I am well aware of the needs of children and was part of the evolution of special education in this province. In Nova Scotia, one in five students requires special attention," said Mr. Muir. "As the Minister of Education, I am very pleased about our successes in this area. There's more work to be done but we are encouraged by what has been accomplished so far."

The International Association of Special Education meets every two years to share members' innovations and accomplishments. The conference will provide a unique opportunity for special and general educators, families of youth with special needs and others to exchange ideas. This is the second gathering in Canada; the last Canadian conference was in British Columbia in 1989.