The Hodgman Liberal Government is delivering on our commitment to improve educational support for students living with disability, with a successful pilot program at Lindisfarne North Primary School extended to Rose Bay High School from 2017.
Minister for Education and Training, Jeremy Rockliff said the $4 million Autism Class Support Program is part of the Tasmanian Government’s commitment to implement best-practice autism care, and give children with autism the best opportunity to reach their full potential while continuing to be included in a mainstream school environment.
“Funded over four years, the extension of the program is backed by a recent review of the primary school program by international audit company KPMG, who found the program has made a positive impact on the students participating in the program and significantly improved school attendance rates", Minister Rockliff said.
“Discussions will commence shortly to determine the schools best-placed to provide additional primary school autism support programs in the north and north-west from Term 2 next year.
“The Hodgman Government is investing $12 million over four years for reforms in response to a Ministerial Taskforce, with $3 million to be spent in 2016‑17, in addition to the $1 million allocation made in 2016 to progress our reforms,” Minister Rockliff said.
The Autism Class Support Program is in addition to other important initiatives to support students with disability including:
Member for Franklin, Nic Street applauded the initiative, which will include specialised staff to support the class and tailored-made learning spaces designed to ensure they meet the sensory and learning needs of students.
“It is great to see Lindisfarne North Primary School Year 6 students and their families can choose to access ongoing support as they transition into high school", Mr Street said.
“The Year 6 students currently participating in the Lindisfarne North Primary School Autism Support program can now continue accessing autism-specific support during Years 7 to 10 at Rose Bay High School next year.”
With the budget back on track the Hodgman Government is able to reinvest in essential services such as education and supporting people in our community with disabilities.
The extension of the Autism Class Support Program is another significant step in our Government’s commitment to ensuring the needs of students with a disability are met, from birth to adulthood.
More Media Releases from Jeremy Rockliff
More Media Releases from the Minister for Education and Training