The Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) met at the Halton District School Board (HDSB) last night to discuss the issues facing many of our Spec Education children.
What became so clear during last night’s SEAC meeting for many was that the lack of comprehensive Spec Ed investment. Many now believe this lack of investment may have contributed to the department’s crisis because important data may not be easily accessible or available at all.
Long term strategy and reporting based on stats can easily be obtained when proper infrastructure investments are made (e.g. systems can produce reporting with a push of a button). Superintendent of Special Education, David Boag stated that the way in which his department collects data may make it difficult to get some of the data the group was requesting. For what many believed necessary reasons, the specifics regarding the data were left general.
Having over 30 years of system implementation, usability and documentation experience (along with journalism and website publishing), I realized the consequences of having a lack of infrastructure (systems and system reporting capabilities). To produce some of the very reporting now being asked for will be a challenge of manpower especially considering the urgent need for assessments and services.
What became so clear for many was this board seems to have spent its time and resources leading the ‘way’ in French Immersion programming (often believed by many as elite delivery) and other initiatives maybe at the expense of other departments/needs.
For many in our community they truly believe the emphasis has been on optional FI programming (delivered usually using single track methods) for a select group including all the required funding associated with it. Many believe that as new schools are taken away from local residents and provided for those in STFI, strategies are developed and funded, busing costs increase as children are transported all over our community, some rather basic system/infrastructure needs for Spec Ed have not been provided for.
For many, the cost of program based elementary schools and the very changes that has resulted in paving the way for an ‘exception based model’ for FI and now Gifted Primary programming, our board may have switched the focus from such vulnerable departments like Spec Ed to other more desirable groups/programs.
To many the lack of foresight and preparation for years shows neglect and decay. For many, it shows a lack of priority for our most vulnerable children once again.
