Questions & Answers Paper No. 158 - Parliament of New South ...
Questions & Answers Paper No. 158 - Parliament of New South ...
Questions & Answers Paper No. 158 - Parliament of New South ...
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7047<br />
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS<br />
MONDAY 12 OCTOBER 2009<br />
middle <strong>of</strong> 2010, while the proposal is trialled. An evaluation <strong>of</strong> the existing School Learning Support<br />
Coordinator initiative is also currently underway.<br />
<strong>No</strong> decision about the future <strong>of</strong> this proposal will be made until the consultations, trials and<br />
evaluation are finalised.<br />
There are 20 public schools in the Port Macquarie electorate. Under the new model that is proposed<br />
for supporting students with additional learning needs, these schools would receive an overall net<br />
increase <strong>of</strong> positions and funds.<br />
Overall, the schools would have a net increase <strong>of</strong> positions and funds in dollar terms <strong>of</strong> $263,036.<br />
This staffing and funding resource would be directly allocated to schools and guaranteed for three<br />
years.<br />
Under the proposed new model, students with sensory impairment, physical disabilities, significant<br />
intellectual disabilities and complex high support needs would continue to be funded under current<br />
program guidelines.<br />
(2) Rather than a loss <strong>of</strong> specialisation, the aim <strong>of</strong> this proposal is to increase the level <strong>of</strong> expertise<br />
available directly within our schools by establishing a specialist teacher presence in every school<br />
across the State to support students with additional learning needs and their class teachers. The<br />
proposed new model does not seek to replace specialist teachers with generalist teachers but to place<br />
specialist itinerant teachers directly within schools under a single program, known as the School<br />
Learning Support program.<br />
This proposal would provide targeted training in the areas <strong>of</strong> autism, behaviour, motor coordination,<br />
speech language and communication, and curriculum access for students with additional learning<br />
needs. All teachers appointed to the School Learning Support Program will be able to access this<br />
training. Currently, more than one thousand teachers have undertaken part <strong>of</strong> this training program.<br />
Feedback from those teachers has been very positive.<br />
School Principals would determine the pr<strong>of</strong>essional learning needs <strong>of</strong> staff and be able to provided<br />
targeted assistance where they think it necessary through pr<strong>of</strong>essional learning funds allocated to<br />
their schools.<br />
In addition, Assistant Principals Behaviour and Assistant Principals Learning Assistance would<br />
continue to provide advice and support to schools.<br />
*7347 ALLOCATION OF SCHOOL RESOURCES—Mr Peter Besseling asked the Minister for Education and<br />
Training, and Minister for Women—<br />
(1) Does the Department <strong>of</strong> Education and Training allocate its funding and other resources, including<br />
staff numbers, to schools based on student enrolment data for 1 August each year?<br />
(2) If so, what additional resources are available to schools that accept students expelled from other<br />
institutions after the assessment date?<br />
Answer—<br />
(1) The allocation <strong>of</strong> teaching staff in NSW public schools is determined by formulae based on student<br />
enrolments to ensure that resources are distributed equitably across the State. Anticipated student<br />
enrolments are submitted in Term 3 each year to allow the anticipated allocation <strong>of</strong> teachers to a<br />
school to be determined for the following year.<br />
NSW government school global funding allocations are determined on a school calendar year basis.<br />
Semester 1 allocations are calculated on anticipated student and staff numbers. Each school's actual<br />
teacher allocation and actual school administrative and support staff allocation for the school year is<br />
determined after the February census enrolment date. Semester 2 allocations are based on actual<br />
student and staff numbers. In addition, a washup payment is allocated to schools based on revised<br />
student and staff numbers as at 30 June.<br />
(2) Where student numbers increase during the year to a level that impacts on the staffing formula, an<br />
additional teacher allocation is made to the school.<br />
*7348 PACIFIC HIGHWAY UPGRADE—Mr Peter Besseling asked the Minister for Roads—<br />
What is the time schedule for the opening <strong>of</strong> sections <strong>of</strong> the Pacific Highway upgrade between<br />
Coopernook and Herons Creek, including the expected dates for traffic to bypass Moorland, Johns River<br />
and Kew?<br />
Answer—<br />
I am advised:<br />
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