In The Conversation: The federal government has only ‘noted’ a call to end special schools. What does this mean for students with disability?

Decorative image.

In an article in The Conversation, Professor Linda Graham, C4IE Director, criticises the Australian government’s response to the Disability Commission’s final report on school segregation for students with disabilities. She highlights the division among commissioners, with some advocating for phasing out special schools due to their devaluing effect, while others support maintaining a dual-track system. Graham criticises the federal government for avoiding a clear stance by deferring to states and territories, despite acknowledging the role of special schools and parental choice. This ambiguity raises concerns about inclusive education, which aims to include all students with appropriate support as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Graham argues that strong political leadership is needed to advance genuine inclusion, warning that the government’s current approach risks maintaining the status quo and limiting incentives for mainstream schools to enhance inclusion.

Read the original article in The Conversation.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *