Schools need to work smarter for “difficult” kids

 
Media Release
 

Schools need to work smarter for “difficult” students

A number of young New Zealanders are missing out on the education they are entitled to because their behaviour or disability is challenging for schools.

This is according to Dr Janis Carroll-Lind of the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, who says this is particularly concerning given the clear correlation between time spent out of school, poor educational achievement and anti-social behaviour, including crime.

“This is all about the long-term impact and boards need to weigh this up carefully when making decisions about suspensions and exclusions.”

She says some schools don’t understand their legal responsibilities and sometimes resort to exclusions when there are other ways of dealing with students with high or very high needs.

“This applies to students with behavioural issues, students with disabilities and/or students with both.  While these children can be very challenging for a school to cater to, it is every child’s right to be included in the education system and schools need support to successfully include all students.”

Dr Carroll-Lind will be addressing this issue with school boards of trustees at the New Zealand School Trustees Association conference in Auckland from July 3-5.

The Office of the Children’s Commissioner runs a Child Rights phone line which receives about 1000 calls a year.  Many are from parents concerned about the way their child has been treated by their school.

“We get a number of calls and complaints from parents of children with high needs like disabilities or behaviour difficulties, because their child is being denied access to school.

“Sometimes parents are told their child can only be at school for four days a week, or only when there is a teacher aide available. Some parents have been asked to pay for a teacher aide themselves,” she says.

“Of concern is the number of children, both primary and secondary, who have been out of school for some time.”

Dr Carroll-Lind says this does reflect the stress that some schools are under, but it doesn’t change the fact that New Zealand has an inclusive education system.
                                                                                                                                               
“Inclusion is all about shifting attitudes. People have to believe that students have the right to be included in a regular classroom and boards need to understand their responsibilities around this.”

Dr Carroll-Lind says her office gets lots of examples of children with disabilities being excluded from things such as the school camp.

“We don’t deny them maths, and we don’t say to parents of children without disabilities, your child can only go to camp if you do too. Schools need to find ways around the difficulties.

“For example, outdoor programmes can be adapted for children with diverse needs but still meet the achievement objectives for outside education.”

Dr Carroll-Lind admits this is sometimes no easy task but it’s one schools must rise to.  She says it’s about supporting schools to adapt their environments to include all children.

The School Trustees Association conference will attract more than 650 trustees from all over the country. It is based on the theme Effective governance: no excuses, no exceptions, high expectations.

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