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RATIONALE
To provide the opportunity for children with learning difficulties to receive extra assistance (teacher and teachers aide).

PURPOSE
1. To identify children with learning difficulties
2. To test these identified children
3. To identify specific learning needs of individual children.
4. To assist the class teacher and parent/guardian (where possible) with regards to the childs needs and progress.
5. To assist those children with learning difficulties.

GUIDELINES
1. The hours allocated to the Special Needs Programme will be determined by the amount budgeted for special education from the schools Targeted Funding for Educational Achievement allocation and the Special Education Grant.

2. To consider children for Special Needs roll we test those who are:
     a) currently on Special Needs roll in Year 6 or are on the roll from the previous year.
     b) referred by Year 6 teachers/parents as requiring extra assistance
     c) referred by class teachers/parents at intermediate as appearing to need extra assistance
     d) identified on the TOSCA test in Year 6, PAT results in Year 7 & 8, performance in class work as appearing to need extra assistance.

3. Special Needs assistance will be made on the following basis:
     a) Teachers Aides:
          i) Individual allocation - students who are categorised by M.O.E. / G.S.E., as ORRS will receive an individual allocation of Teacher Aide support.
          ii) students with learning difficulties who need:
              -ongoing support to achieve the essential skills on the National Curriculum Framework
              -ongoing support to achieve the achievement objectives based on the National Curriculum Framework
              -ongoing support to provide the necessary solution where behavioural difficulties or safety affects access to the curriculum will receive Teachers Aide support through an allocation to the class.
     b) Special Needs Teachers.  Consideration will be given to students for Special Needs Teacher support on the following basis:
          i) ORRS verified students will not be eligible
          ii) level of achievement is below Chronological Age
          iii) student would benefit from a short, concentrated period of special needs assistance
          iv) a level of support is necessary for students to maintain progress within the classroom programme
          v) timetable constraints
          vi) students who show a willingness to learn and work with another teacher in a small group situation.

The final decision on the makeup of the groups belongs with the Deputy Principal with the overall responsibility for the Special Needs programme.

4. The Special Needs teachers will write aims and objectives in conjunction with the teacher (and parent/guardian where necessary). This plan will state the child's present level of achievement, the future objectives and the programme to be used. The objectives are evaluated during and at the conclusion of each group.

5. Children on the Special Needs roll are withdrawn from class for work in small group situations.

6. Regular meetings are held with the Deputy Principal responsible for overseeing the operation of the Special Needs programme to review the roll and timetabling.

7. The "Special Needs" roll will change as a result of the progress and needs of the students. Changes will only take place after consultation with the Deputy Principal.

8. Children in the Special Needs programme and the ORRS programme will be assessed as per the "Assessment Guidelines for the Special Needs and ORRS" based on the schools Assessment and Evaluation Policy.

9. An important consideration for children to retain Special Needs teacher assistance (not teachers aides) is that they make learning growth and that their attitude is conducive to receiving assistance from another teacher.

10. Children identified in 2a-d as "severe" Special Needs or fitting the criteria for Ministry of Education ORRS verification will be tested by Special Needs staff in consideration for application for Ministry of Education ORRS, ESOL or other programmes verification.

11. M.O.E. Group Special Education may be contacted to view children from Guideline (10) prior to the application being forwarded.

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