New research says 'no' to special schools

Media release
29 May 2009

New research says 'no' to special schools

New research has exploded the myth that special schools are better at teaching children with intellectual disabilities.

In her book, Learning better together, to be launched at Parliament on 3 June, education researcher Dr Jude MacArthur makes a powerful case for including disabled students in regular classrooms. Her book examines current thinking about inclusive education.

The research, with an accompanying DVD, was commissioned by IHC to argue the case for inclusive education in New Zealand. Dr MacArthur says that an examination of research here and overseas shows school students do better when they learn together.

"Disabled children and young people are advantaged socially and academically when they attend regular classes," she says. "The research provides a clear mandate for us to say "No" to segregated special education, and to develop inclusive education in regular schools. This is how we move forward."

Dr MacArthur says disabled children do better in maths and literacy, and in friendships, if they are taught in regular classrooms. The advantages are even more obvious when school staff work at including all students.

But she is concerned that the Ministry of Education seems to have gone silent on inclusive education and hopes her book will make a difference.

"I hope it will challenge those views that need to be challenged, and sustain those people who have always known that inclusion is the just, fair and right thing to do."

IHC Chief Executive Ralph Jones says the organisation has been arguing for years for disabled students to be fully included in their local schools. Some schools are working hard, often with insufficient support, to include disabled students, but many children are still being denied opportunities available to other children.

The issue has driven IHC to take a complaint to the Human Rights Commission against policies and practices that prevent disabled students participating fully at their local school. "The overwhelming response to the complaint from parents and families indicates the issue is much wider than IHC first thought," Mr Jones says.

The Human Rights Commission has now asked the Ministry of Education to respond to the complaint.

"To achieve inclusive education for all children, we need better education policies; we need schools to be better supported; and we need to listen to what disabled students say," Mr Jones says.

Dr Jude MacArthur is an independent researcher based in Dunedin, working in the area of education and disability. She has worked at the University of Otago and the Donald Beasley Institute in Dunedin.

Learning better together and the DVD will be launched at the Grand Hall at Parliament, on Wednesday 3 June 2009, from 5pm to 6pm.

ENDS

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