26 January 2005
Early Warning - High Expectations for Special Education District Reports
Group Special Education has informed us that the nationwide district reports on special education services are now
completed and the national report which is to follow is near completion.
These reports will be with the Minister of Education David Benson-Pope by the end of January and we are told he is most
likely to release them in February.
These reports have been prepared as a result of the out of court settlement of the Daniels case which required -
“Comprehensive district reports to be produced including parent perspectives of the adequacy and appropriateness of
local resourcing; identification of gaps between resourcing and the needs of students; any recommendations for any
changes needed in funding mechanisms and any recommendations concerning the need to have or maintain special educational
units in that locality” We therefore have high expectations that these reports will very specifically address the
chronic resourcing and targeting issues which have bedevilled special education since the implementation of Special
Education 2000.
Because these reports will specifically identify the gaps between resourcing and the needs of students we have written
to the Minister of Education David Benson-Pope seeking his assurance that these reports will be acted on immediately
when the government makes decisions concerning the 2005 budget.
ENDS