The collective noun for a series of individual student adjustments is not 'inclusion
Designing a system that works for children with functional needs does not stop at describing best practice in inclusive education at a classroom or even school level. Drawing on her experience in overseeing the early stages of implementation of significant disability funding reforms in SA's public school system in 2020, the author explores two counter-intuitive propositions.
• The outcomes of a series of individualised student adjustments is LESS than the sum of its parts.
• Money is as much a part of the problem as it is the solution.
This presentation will explore: the tensions that emerge from grounding inclusion in systems and structures that promote individualised structures of resourcing and adjustment; the challenge of getting system-wide settings right when children, teachers and schools all vary so wildly; and the challenge of mistaking money for the intervention itself.
Dr Caroline Croser-Barlow is a former senior public servant with experience across a range of policy areas, including early childhood education, disability in education, climate change, energy, environment, and social policy.
Her most recent role involves supporting Royal Commissioner the Hon Julia Gillard in her work on early childhood education and care.
Her previous roles include leading the division in the Department for Education overseeing a range of policies, programs and services for the participation, engagement and learning achievement for all children and young people, in particular those experiencing challenges to their inclusion.
She has also been a Project Director of transitioning Year 7 into High School for South Australia; headed corporate services as Group Executive Director, People and Performance at the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR); led climate and energy policy for DEWNR; and held various roles in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (SA). She began her career in international and strategic policy in the Department of Defence in Canberra.
She has worked across several elements of public sector governance and served on a range of boards including the State Procurement Board and the Kangaroo Island Natural Resources Management Board.