Mainstream Education, Inclusive Practices and Students with Disabilities

1
Mainstream Education, Inclusive Practices and
Students with Disabilities

• Andrew Cassidy
• Jells Park Primary School

2
My Background

• I started teaching in 2003 and now work at my
  second school. I
• have taught 4 students with severe disabilities
  in my six and a
• half years.
• In 2003, I taught a grade one girl with severe
  disabilities which resulted in a very low IQ. She
  was born to a heroin addict.
• In 2004, in partnership with Mt Evelyn Special
  Development School, I taught a grade one boy who
  was enrolled at my school 2 days a week.
• In 2006, I taught another grade one boy with
  severe physical disabilities.
• In 2007, I taught a grade one girl with Down
  Syndrome.
• At the beginning of 2008, I started teaching prep
  and absolutely
• love it!

3
Challenges with the current system.

• Full time Teacher Aides
• Speech Therapists and School Psychologists
• Specific areas for students
• Parental expectations
• TIME! ?
• Allocation of funding

4
What works?

• Goal Setting and Parent Support Group Meetings
• Knowledge
• Communication
• Technology
• Working with other teachers with expertise

5
Ideas for the future.

• Networking
• Funding
• Professional Development