SWD staffing model review
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 127 No 1, 11 February 2022, page no.23
The Department of Education is reviewing the students with disability (SWD) resource allocation (staffing) model, which allocates teacher FTE and teacher-aide hours to special education programs (SEP) and to other schools without a SEP each year.
A review stakeholder reference group has been established, on which the QTU is represented.
The review will develop new models for allocating SWD staffing resources informed by the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD).
A new model is expected to be in place for the 2023 school year and released in mid-2022. Resources will be allocated under the current model for the 2022 school year.
The review is considering how to streamline processes for staff. Steps are being taken to reduce workloads during the 2022 school year, including:
- not requiring primary and secondary schools to seek education adjustment program (EAP) verification for prep and new students to the state education system
- only requiring special schools to seek EAP verification in the category of intellectual disability for enrolment purposes
- not requiring parents to seek additional medical or specialist reports
- allowing schools to ask parents to provide any medical or specialist reports they already have.
The QTU believes the review has the potential to:
- reduce the overall workload of teachers, HOSES and education leaders associated with the evidence collection process used to obtain the SWD staffing resources
- remove the need for two separate processes, i.e. EAP and NCCD
- allow for more time to focus on the implementation of adjustments and the education program for SWDs.
More information about the review and the QTU position can be found at www.qtu.asn.au/collections/membergroups/special-education-committee/students-disability-swd-staffing-model-review