The Federal Government has announced that 350 government and non-government special schools across the country will share in $76 million in funding to better help deliver education outcomes.

The funding will be delivered over the coming six years through the National Plan for School Improvement, and forms one of the recommendations from the Review of Funding for Schooling.

“This extra help will ensure that students with disability attending special schools, their teachers and parents will receive the support they need to address these complex needs,” Prime Minister Julia Gillard said.

“Boosting in funding for students in special schools will also give certainty around the resourcing required for these schools, while work continues on the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability.”

According to Ms Gillard, the funding announced will provide:

  • More specialist teachers and extra training in the use of assistive technology;
  • Assistance to support special schools to serve as centres of expertise for other schools;
  • Design and delivery of school-based professional development for teachers;
  • Closer links with allied health professionals to strengthen schools’ and teachers’ capacity to support students with disability;
  • School-based fixed equipment; and
  • Education based therapy.