Page Content
Inclusion about “finding the appropriate educational opportunity for each child”—Hancock
Emergency medical services and oil sands tailings ponds dominated question period as the legislative assembly reconvened for its fall sitting, but the framework for Setting the Direction for Special Education in Alberta was also on the minds of at least a few MLAs. Below are highlights of some of the proceedings that took place October 25 and 26, 2010.
First point of contact for children with special needs
October 25—Harry Chase (LIB—Calgary-Varsity) asked Minister of Education Dave Hancock how, with coding on its way out, he would guarantee that children with special needs are identified and provided with the necessary supports. “When we talk about getting rid of coding as a funding mechanism, it doesn’t mean we would get rid of assessment of those needs and the ability to provide educational and other support programs for students as they need them to improve and help them with their learning process,” Hancock replied. “It’s not about coding a child to pigeonhole them and to provide funding; it’s about understanding the learning needs of the child and providing the resources needed to achieve that.” Chase asked Minister of Children and Youth Services Yvonne Fritz whether she would accept full responsibility for every child whose first point of contact is her department. Fritz replied that she is working closely with the ministers of education, health and wellness, and justice and attorney general on the issue. Chase asked Minister of Health and Wellness Gene Zwozdesky whether he would accept full responsibility for every child whose first point of contact is his department. Zwozdesky replied that he is concerned about all Albertans, regardless of their age or circumstances. He added that government has allocated $50 million to children’s mental health.
Special needs education
October 26—Referring to the framework for Setting the Direction for Special Education in Alberta, Chase asked Hancock what he is doing to help families access special services for their children. Hancock replied that families should be working with their school boards and schools to access such services. Chase asked Hancock what will prevent students with severe disabilities from being “shuffled” into regular classrooms without the necessary supports in the absence of coding. Hancock replied that inclusion is about “finding the appropriate educational opportunity for each child. . . . In some cases it will be complete inclusion in a classroom. In some cases it’ll be a partial inclusion in classrooms and partial special programming. Some parents will choose or perhaps the circumstances are such that a child needs separate programming,” he explained. Chase asked Hancock to ensure extra resources for teacher support and training, given that some school boards are moving toward integration in accordance with the minister’s directive. “We haven’t directed school boards to include students in classrooms,” Hancock replied. “That’s just a fallacy.” He reiterated that inclusion is about supporting the learning needs of each child.
Education consultation
October 26—Referring again to the Setting the Direction framework, Teresa Woo-Paw (PC—Calgary-Mackay) asked Hancock whether an inclusive education system means that every student will be in every classroom. Hancock replied that an inclusive education system “is a way of thinking and acting that demonstrates universal acceptance of and belonging for all students.” Woo-Paw asked Hancock how he is implementing the recommendations from the Setting the Direction framework. Hancock replied that his ministry is working with Alberta Health and Wellness and Alberta Children and Youth Services to align service delivery and ensure teachers can access the skills they need. Woo-Paw asked Hancock to identify his short-term priorities for teachers. Hancock identified professional development for teachers, support resources such as learning coaches and the effective reallocation of available support resources as three short-term priorities.
Child and Youth Health Charter
October 25—The assembly adopted a motion put forward by Raj Sherman (PC—Edmonton-Meadowlark) urging government to formally adopt Canada’s Child and Youth Health Charter (
www.ourchildren.ca/images/charter.pdf). Sponsored by the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Paediatric Society and the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the charter emphasizes the importance of high-quality primary and secondary education, early learning opportunities, physical activity, nutrition and mental health.
