Practical teaching resource to boost support for students with disability

A world-first resource is being rolled out in classrooms across Australia to help teachers and principals better support their students with special needs.

Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said $622,000 from the Turnbull Government had helped the Australian Special Education Principals Association develop Leading Learning 4 All.

“We want to ensure each and every student has the opportunity to achieve their full potential,” Minister Birmingham said.

“Leading Learning 4 All addresses the complexity of meeting the learning needs of every student, in every Australian school, every day.

Minister Birmingham said the suite of resources will provide teachers with practical advice on effective leadership strategies that are of practical use in schools.

“For example, Leading Learning 4 All helps raise awareness of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005 through online visual examples and snapshots from principals and teachers”.

Minister Birmingham said the interactive website was developed by the Australian Special Education Principals Association, in collaboration with school leaders across Australia and informed by educational expertise both nationally and internationally.  

“All materials have been trialled by school leaders and teachers across Australia and the resource can be adjusted and refined as teaching practices and understandings develop,” Minister Birmingham said. 

“From a diagnostic tool to help schools provide an accurate picture of their potential areas for development, working through to personal development strategies for teachers and collaborative learning ideas for students with different types of need, this is a practical tool for schools.

“The new resource is part of our focus on delivering evidence-based initiatives to schools that help lift teaching quality and boost outcomes for students.

“We’ve also committed to the Australian Professional Standard for Principals and Australian Professional Standards for Teachers set by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership as a demonstration of our support for the teaching profession to do their best for students with disabilities.

“I acknowledge that there are still hurdles to overcome in giving students with disability a more inclusive and supportive education, but Leading Learning 4 All is a significant milestone in achieving that goal.”