CPS Raises Concerns With MOE

Ministry of Education Deputy Secretary, Sector Enablement and Support Katrina Casey said:

How will schools assist the families of ORS-funded children who cannot have access to teacher aides and continue to work from home?
Teachers and school teams are pivotal in the development of tailored distance learning programmes based on existing goals in the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) – as well as in providing support to whānau to manage this at home.
A child’s classroom teacher remains the key point of contact for their learning, but there are a number of ways teacher aides can be included in online learning and group teaching sessions. Schools will be considering how inclusive practice can continue to be provided and adapted to distance learning and the home environment. Teacher aides can be part of the school team working together with families to make use of supplied resources and include these in a learner’s learning-from-home plan.
Teachers might want to involve teacher aides in adapting or reviewing student learning plans / IEPs to support remote learning, along with SENCOs, Learning Support Coordinators and other teachers, as relevant.  Some questions for teachers to explore with families to inform a learning plan can be found here.
Additionally, Ministry learning support staff are here to support schools and parents during the home isolation period.  Like teachers and other school support staff, learning support specialists will be working differently, but their goal remains the same: to support teaching staff to connect students to the relevant curriculum by accommodating their learning needs.
There’s also some background in this COVID-19 special bulletin under “Supporting students with learning support needs  and distance learning”.

What are the expectations on parents that are working to fill this TA gap and what do we do when that is not possible?
There is no expectation or requirement that parents take on the role of being a teacher for their children while schools remain closed for onsite learning. However, parents and caregivers are important role models for their children and young people and supporting them with activities at home and, wherever possible, remaining part of their usual routines, will support their wellbeing, connection with others and will help them adjust to this “new normal”, including their learning.
We recognise that families of children with additional learning needs are likely to be experiencing additional stress and challenges as a result of changes to their children’s normal routines and usual supports.
All the parts of the system – including education providers, Ministry specialist services, Resource Teachers and contracted services – are working together to respond to these challenges, so that children and young people who need additional learning support can continue to learn from home.

What is the plan as the levels change for these kids – given more intensive assistance needed will they go back earlier or later?
No decision has been made in this area. We expect to be able to say more next week.