Concurrent Sessions
DAY 2: 11.30 - 12.30 (Corinthian Room)
Decision making for students with disabilities in schools : Implications for innovation
Presented by: Jennifer Stephenson
Organisation: Macquarie University, NSW
Schools are enrolling increasing numbers of students with disabilities in mainstream classes. Schools may make adjustments to curriculum, instruction, and assessment to support students. Nevertheless, there is relatively little research on how schools make these decisions regarding adjustments and associated resourcing. Attendees will learn about a joint project between Macquarie University, the University of Wollongong and the Department of Education (NSW) that provides an examination of the ways that schools engage in decision making for students with special needs. Findings will be presented with regard to the adjustments employed and decision-making processes. School stakeholders will be asked to reflect on the implications of this research in relation to developing innovative approaches to school capacity building. The development of personalised more effective learning and adjustments will lead to sustainable and optimal student outcomes.
DAY 2: 11.30 - 12.30 (Grand Lodge)
Review of best practice in managing challenging behaviours in schools
Presented by: Jacinta Evans
Organisation: Community Services Directorate, ACT Government
In a changing society with learners, families, teachers and schools facing many new pressures, how do we address and prevent challenging behaviours in schools? In 2015, an Expert Panel was established in the ACT to review policy and practice in regard to students with complex needs and challenging behaviour. Responding to the review raised many additional questions, and in 2017, the presenter was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to investigate best practice in managing challenging behaviour in schools, including preventative programs, in the UK, Ireland, Canada and Finland. The presentation considers findings from the study tour from both an individual and systemic perspective, acknowledging that there are numerous contributing factors to reducing challenging behaviours, many of which are universal in nature and contribute to positive school function in general. Other factors are related to values espoused by the school, leadership styles, community engagement, or more specific approaches that can be readily shared across settings, such as programs or training.
DAY 2: 11.30 - 12.30 (Banquet Hall)
Expanding impacts through building student capacities in a special needs environment
Presented by: Joan Ocampo
Organisation: Henbury School, NT
This presentation by a school leader focusses on how the curriculum can be modified to fit students' individual needs, and demonstrates the impacts of peer coaching and mentoring in empowering students’ capabilities. The session will exemplify ways of working strategically by accessing local networks and building partnerships, to increase students’ understanding of the relevance of what they are learning in terms of developing positive change in the community. The presenter will share expertise on how to establish a strong connection and network among students, teachers and staff, through engagement with the school community in terms of strategic planning, schoolwide implementation and collaborative decision making on projects involving external stakeholders and community partners – local, regional and national. Participants will also learn how leadership can be distributed among teachers and handed down to student leaders.