Dec 17, 2019, Birmingham Live: Long overdue - but a cash boost for special education in Sandwell https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/long-overdue-cash-boost-special-17434627 Despite government increases in funding Sandwell neighbouring councils' special education schools may still struggle to cope as they pay for past cuts in the high need service Education for children with physical and learning disabilities in Sandwell will receive a major cash boost next year after the government increased funding by an extra £7 million [$9.2M US]. But local authority bosses have said that while the borough will benefit, other neighbouring councils may still struggle to cope as they pay for past cuts in the high need service…. “A lot of local authorities have been overspending for a number of years and it has always taken an impact in the following year in their high needs block…. Sandwell will see its budget for children with special educational needs and disabilities rise from £40.9m [$54M US] to £48.0m [$63M US] from April 2020. But part of the increase will be swallowed up by a predicted overspend of £1.5 million [$2M US] in this financial year. In September, Dudley Council announced its high needs service is expected to overrun by £5 million [$6.5M US] by March 2020. …
Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.
Loss of Brain Trust features over 9,000 news stories published worldwide since January, 2017
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