LDC Response to My School Website

May 2010

The Learning Difficulties Coalition (LDC) has considered the My School website from many angles and is aware of its potential usefulness in the allocation of funds to needy schools, i.e. to schools that have high numbers of children with learning difficulties. 

However, the Coalition also has reservations about the unintentional consequences of the use of NAPLAN testing results on the site, to create a “league table” approach to schools. As has been widely reported in the media recently, we are concerned about the possibility that children with learning difficulties or disabilities are encouraged to stay away from school on the day of the NAPLAN tests. This would result in inaccurate test results and could mean that schools do not get allocated the funding appropriate to the needs of their students.

The LDC will remain focussed on the issue and will take an active interest in any developments that have an impact on students with a learning difficulty.

LDC Advocacy

February 2010

In recent months the LDC has sent letters of concern to the NSW Minister for Education and Training,

Ms Verity Firth, regarding the closure of:

• Dalwood Assessment Centre
• Palm Avenue School
• Kingsdene School
• HSC Course at Blacktown TAFE
• Reading and Writing Hotline

Please see below for the Department's response.

Closure of Reading and Writing Hotline (now refunded for 2010) click here.

Closure of Dalwood Assessment Centre, Palm Avenue, Kingsdene School & HSC course at Blacktown TAFE click here & page 2

LDC Submissions

2010 Inquiry into the Provision of Education to Students with a Disability or Special Needs

Submission to the Parliment of NSW Legislative Council General Purpose Standing

Committee No. 2. - February 2010 click here to view submission

NSW Liberal & National Parties Social Policy Framework - February 2010

Draft Guidelines on ADHD

The LDC provided feedback to the National Health and Medical Research Council's (NHMRC) Draft Guidelines on ADHD in August, 2008. The Draft Guidelines are now available to view on their website: www.nhmrc.gov.au

LDC attend the 'Prevention of abuse and neglect of children’ (PANOC) Forum

2 September 2008 at Westmead Hospital.