Term 1, 2022

7 February 2022: Special Education Network Update

Students with disability (SWD) staffing model review

The Department of Education has commenced reviewing the students with disability (SWD) resource allocation (staffing) model. This is the model that allocates teacher FTE and teacher-aide hours to 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 released in mid-2022 and in place for the 2023 school year. Resources for the 2022 school year will be allocated under the current model.

The review is considering how to streamline processes for staff. Steps are being taken to reduce workloads during the 2022 school year, including:

• primary and secondary schools not being required to seek education adjustment program (EAP) verification for prep and new students to the state education system
• special schools only being required to seek EAP verification in the category of intellectual disability for enrolment purposes
• parents not being required to seek additional medical or specialist reports
• schools being able to ask parents to provide any medical or specialist reports they already have.

More information can be found on the QTU website.

If you wish to provide any feedback to the QTU about the review, please send it to services@qtu.asn.au.

Griffith University reduced fee courses

The QTU has been advised of the following study assistance initiative by Griffith University.

A last-minute funding opportunity for candidates interested in studying the Griffith University Graduate Certificate of Autism or the Graduate Certificate of Special Needs, commencing Tri 1 2022. For eligible domestic candidates, the Commonwealth Supported Placement (CSP) fee will apply, a considerable saving on the full fees usually applied to these programs. This funding arrangement is for a limited time, and not expected to be available for Tri 2 2022 entrants. 

For more information, visit: 

• Griffith University - Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies
• Griffith University - Graduate Certificate in Special Needs Education

Applications close 12 February 2022.

Orientation commences in the week beginning 7 March and classes commence in the week beginning 14 March. All courses are 100 per cent online. 

For more information, please contact the Grad Cert Autism Program Director, Dr Kate Simpson:  k.simpson@griffith.edu.au.

For more information, please contact the Grad Cert Special Needs Program Director, Associate Professor Stuart Woodcock: s.woodcock@griffith.edu.au.

Candidates who successfully complete the Grad Cert may be eligible to continue into the Master of Autism program, the Master of Education Program or the Master of Education and Professional Studies Research Dissertation program.

 Authorised by Kate Ruttiman, General Secretary, Queensland Teachers' Union
21 Graham Street, Milton, QLD, Australia, 4064