(Austalia) $57M for extra SPED support; more training for teachers; more specialists hired

Jan 30, 2018, News.com (Australia): Education Minister Susan Close reveals $57m cost of program to help students with special needs http://www.news.com.au/national/south-australia/education-minister-susan-close-reveals-57m-cost-of-program-to-help-students-with-special-needs/news-story/af5eee6c49828b95ace5d5f3d89d0e1c SOUTH Australian public school students with special needs will get extra support through a package of measures Education Minister Susan Close has revealed will cost $57 million. PUBLIC school students with special needs will get extra support through a package of measures the State Government has revealed will cost $57 million. The initiatives will help 27,000 over the next five years. … It follows a survey taken last year to identify how many school students in South Australian schools met a new, broader definition of having a disability and what level of support they needed. The $57 million will be directed to students who have a physical or cognitive disability, social or emotional issues which adversely affect their learning, have experienced trauma at home and Aboriginal students who need extra support. … “The teachers who will work with these students — either one-on-one or in a group environment — will undergo specialist training,” she said. Dr Close said students would also benefit from already-announced initiatives, including: 154 extra special options placements in preschools and schools where there is the most need. 200 special options places in two new schools to be built in Adelaide’s north and south. 16 child wellbeing practitioners. 10 speech pathologists. Trauma training for teachers in every school.