Page 1171 - Week 04 - Thursday, 21 May 2020
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(4) What additional supports will be in place for parents whose children have special learning needs and were formerly supported at school, for example, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.
(5) What additional supports are in place for teachers as they cope with the isolation and juggling expectations and realities of online teaching.
(6) How is the Government ensuring that every child has access to the internet.
(7) Will any requirements for monitoring of online engagement by students be extended to the independent and private schools sector.
(8) Will schools still be open to children whose parents are working in essential sectors; if not, what alternative arrangements will there be.
Ms Berry: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
1) Yes, public school teachers are regularly checking in on students and using learning platforms to track participation and engagement in learning.
2) Yes, all school settings will be included. Early primary school students will do more offline remote learning activities than older years.
3) The Education Directorate is closely monitoring student attendance across ACT public schools. Schools are ensuring teachers are checking in with vulnerable students on a frequent basis, daily or twice daily where needed. Teachers will contact parents or carers if there are any unexplained absences.
4) For those students with disabilities, public schools are providing learning materials and checking in with them and their families.
An interprofessional team of allied health and teaching professionals is supporting teachers to deliver learning. They are providing advice on adjusting learning programs to meet the needs of all students.
The hearing and vision teachers are working remotely with students and their families during this time to ensure that students can continue to access specialised teaching in these areas.
School psychologists are now providing psychological services for public school students and families via telehealth.
The Education Directorate’s home learning web site has great advice for families assisting their children with the learning programs being delivered. This includes how to create positive and safe learning environments and supporting children with sensory processing and self-regulation needs.
5) Public school teachers will be encouraged to meet regularly with their colleagues online using Google Meet. Technical and pedagogical support will continue to be provided by the Education Directorate. During the pupil free period at the end of term 1, ACT public school teachers took part in a number of specialised professional learning opportunities provided by the directorate to assist them with the move to remote learning in term 2. Over 5,500 teachers participated in this professional learning.
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