Inclusive Education: A Disability Inclusion Strategy for ACT Public Schools 2024-2034

First Action Plan

The First Action Plan 2024-2026 (3.5Mb) outlines the initial actions that will be taken under the Strategy to strengthen inclusion for children and young people with disability in ACT public schools. This work will support staff and deliver positive academic, social and wellbeing outcomes for all children and young people.

2023-24 Budget Initiatives

To support the Strategy, funding was announced in the 2023-2024 ACT Budget. Initiatives include the introduction of Inclusion Coaches who will begin working across the Tuggeranong region in 2024, with the program expected to expand across more schools in the future.

Resourcing has also been provided to deliver professional learning in key areas such as universal design for learning, managing complex behaviours, and understanding neurodiversity.

Other initiatives announced through the Budget include helping to build partnerships between specialist and local schools, and work to develop and prepare for a new needs-based funding model for students with disability.

Disability Royal Commission

In April 2019 the Disability Royal Commission was set up in response to community concern about widespread reports of violence against, and the neglect, abuse and exploitation of, people with disability.

The Disability Royal Commission released its Final Report in September 2023. Of the 222 recommendations, 15 focus on education for children and young people with disability. The Education Directorate is working with other ACT Government areas to respond to the recommendations.

A range of work has occurred since 2015 to improve inclusion and there are some great examples of inclusive education in ACT public schools.

However not all students feel included and welcomed at school or have a learning program that best meets their needs. We recognise the need to continue to build capability for inclusive practice and that appropriate adjustments, for example, organisation, curriculum, physical environment, teaching and learning strategies; help to make schools inclusive. Development and implementation of a strategy aims to set the foundations for reform, recognising that strengthening inclusion will take time, commitment, resourcing and intentional planning.

Since 2021 the Education Directorate has been working to review education for students with disability in ACT public schools.

To inform the Strategy and First Action Plan we:

• reviewed work that has already been undertaken on inclusive education in ACT public schools to develop an information paper (848kb);
• commissioned an independently facilitated consultation, outlined in the linked webpage;
• reviewed what’s happening in Australian jurisdictions and overseas and developed an evidence review (6.5Mb);
• facilitated workshops with key stakeholders during term 3 2022;
• developed a Discussion Paper (489kb) proposing 7 themes for the strategy and a draft Position Statement for Inclusive Education in ACT public schools; and
• engaged with ACT public school staff and the broader community about the Discussion Paper and sought feedback via a survey, submissions and staff briefings during term 4 2022. A Listening Report (816kb) summarises some of what was heard.

Resources

• Information Paper (848kb)
• Community Conversation
• Disability Education Evidence Review (6.5Mb)
• Discussion Paper (489kb)
• A Listening Report (816kb)