Ontario lacking in special needs education support
Posted May 28, 2012 10:03:42 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Ontario government gets a low grade in terms of special needs education support according to the advocacy group People for Education.
It is calling for a full review of how it’s delivered.
“We need to make it work better than it does now,” said Annie Kidder, who was speaking for the group.
According to the report 18 per cent of elementary students and 24 per cent of high school students required some form of special education last year.
Part of the problem, according to Kidder, is schools are capping the number of students who can be assessed to determine what type of support they may need.
The access varies wildly through the province. In Toronto area schools, 32 per cent report a cap, while here in Eastern Ontario, it’s 80 per cent.
Kidder feels a full review will only improve a child’s chance for the future.
“Kids who are supported early on in school tend to be able to be successful “.
She says the number one call the group gets from parents is regarding the lack of support for special education.
