Newfoundland report calls for overhaul of policy of inclusion in the classroom
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — The Newfoundland and Labrador government should scrap its existing policy on classroom inclusion, an expert panel says in a newly released report that found students, parents and teachers across the province are convinced the system for dealing with students with special needs is broken.
The four-member task force, which conducted a broad review of the K-to-12 education system, is recommending the Department of Education rescind the 1996 inclusion policy and develop a new approach toward dealing with students with “exceptionalities.”
“Students with specific learning disorders are given little help and fall further and further behind,” says the report, released Tuesday. “Parents describe the ‘constant fight,’ for supports for their children year after year.”
In consultation sessions held across the province, the task force was repeatedly told there was broad support for the “internationally embraced model of inclusive education where all children, regardless of religion, culture, gender or ability, can attend the neighbourhood school.”