The major reforms introduced to strengthen educational experiences and outcomes for all Australian school students, including those whose learning is impacted by disability, impact the work of every school and every teacher. These involve: learning Australian curriculum content for every student; engaging with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers; an increased focus on local decision making by professional educators; and collecting nationally consistent data on students with disability. There is also a growing focus of the role of school education in supporting and developing wellbeing for all students.
The transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) also brings opportunities as well as challenges for schools, parents and a wide range of professionals to work together to personalise the supports that children need for their learning, development and social participation.
The challenge for education leaders is to embed accountability for outcomes for students with disability within the framework that is now in place.
The National Disability Leadership Summit will present an opportunity for leaders to consider, reflect on and discuss the reforms and how to provide a strong foundation of high expectations for students with disability and better outcomes for children and their families through the three areas of focus:
- curriculum and learning;
- wellbeing; and
- collaboration.