Special Education in Irish secondary schools
My child has been receiving extra help in primary school.
What should I look for in a secondary school?
You should look for a school with a special education teacher in place on a full-time basis to support all children with special needs in the school.
It is important to also be sure the school has a commitment to supporting and educating children with special needs.
The school should have on its staff teachers who have had some training in how to differentiate their methodology and curriculum for children with special needs.
There should be an accepting attitude on the part of all staff.
Remember, your child is entitled to enter fully into the life of the school and avail of all it has to offer.
How do you find out these things? Talk to the school principal and ask questions about the topics listed above.
Remember, your child may be eligible for special consideration at the time of Junior Cert and Leaving Cert but this will have to be determined about a year before these exams will be taken.
What is s/he entitled to?
A child who has been receiving special education resources or support in primary school is eligible for continued support at secondary level so long as they continue to have a special education need.
It is possible that a primary school child, after receiving several years of support, could no longer be deemed to have a special education need but this is the exception not the rule.
Your child will be entitled to the same general provision he or she received in primary school.
Typically this takes the form of specialist teaching from a Learning Support or Special Education Resource teacher (both are now often being referred to simply as Special Education teachers.
This support is to be determined based on need with the number of hours of support being determined by the Individual Education Plan (IEP) drawn up in the last year of primary school.
In addition to the IEP there should have been a Transition Plan completed during the last year of primary school.
The Transition Plan will devise the structure of transition to secondary school and may alter the IEP for a short period of time.
If this happens there should be a team meeting in about six months or less to write the secondary school IEP. In general students in secondary school are eligible for the same supports as in primary school. This may include a Special Needs Assistant (SNA).
How do I go about making sure they get that?
Generally speaking your child’s Individual Education Plan is the map which documents exactly what services your child will receive, when he or she will receive them and from whom.
An IEP cannot be changed or implemented without your consent. Remember that upon entering secondary school a Transition Plan may be in place that slightly alters the previous IEP. This will have to be reviewed within a short span of time to be sure the child receives appropriate support services.
Don’t be afraid to talk to the school principal because he or she is ultimately responsible to see to it that children receive the services they are entitled to receive.
What are my options if we run into difficulties?
Should problems arise you should first speak to the Year Head and address your concerns. The Special Needs Organiser (SENO) assigned to the school should be alerted as well as the appropriate special education teacher(s).A team meeting, of which you are entitled to be a member, can be convened within a reasonable time frame and your concerns will be discussed.
If this meeting does not satisfy you or not result in the child receiving the services you may contact the National Council for Special Education for further information and support.
It is important to take things one step at a time. Speak to your child’s special education teacher first and be clear about your concerns.
Be assertive and not aggressive. Remember, generally speaking everyone is doing the best they can.
Do have your child’s IEP in front of you when you are speaking to the teacher or other staff member. Be aware of your rights to appeal as outlined in the NCSE and SESS websites.
Don’t rush to judgement, try and work things out amicably before you make threats to appeal. The next most important port of call will be the Special Needs Organiser assigned to the school.
Source: David Carey Psychologist, Visit Davids Website
